Short answer: the JBL Clip 5, if you are buying new, though neither ranks well in its class. The JBL Clip ranks higher than the Hopestar H54 (#46 vs #52 of 63 small speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Clip 5, is rated 3.4/5 at $59.95 and is still sold new. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 63 small speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 instead, ranked #1 at $35.39.
The JBL Clip is the lighter choice. A very compact, light clip on speaker with a built in carabiner and its own attached aux cable. At 0.3 lbs (158 g) it weighs much less than the Hopestar H54 at 1.1 lbs (500 g). The tradeoff: Quite a lack of bass.
The Hopestar H54 is the tougher option. A compact waterproof speaker with microSD playback, an aux input, and stereo pairing with a second unit. It is rated IPX7, while the JBL Clip has no water resistance. The tradeoff: Bright treble, not much bass, harsh mids.
Buy the JBL Clip 5, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Clip; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Hopestar H54.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip | Hopestar H54 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $50 Discontinued | $59.99 |
| Ranked | #46 of 63 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #52 of 63 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (integrated 3.5mm cable) | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~95Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Wall Wart | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (158 g) | 1.1 lbs (500 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Amplifier Power | 7W RMS | 5W |
| Dimensions | 5.4” x 3.8” x 1.8” (137.2 x 96.5 x 45.7 mm) (Clip 3, original JBL Clip dimensions not available) | 5.5” x 4.7” x 2.8” (140 x 120 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.57” (40mm) driver | 52mm |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) | - |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 15kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Clip: manufacturer specifications and listening comparisons; no independent measurement has been published yet.
- Hopestar H54: reviews by Techder Audios.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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