Short answer: the JBL Clip 3, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.7/5 for sound quality (#38 and #37 of 49 small speakers), and the JBL Clip 3 costs $39.95 against $50 for the JBL Clip, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 49 small speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 instead, ranked #1 at $49.99.
Why pick the JBL Clip: Very compact and light (5.3 oz) with an integrated carabiner. The tradeoff: Quite a lack of bass.
The case for the JBL Clip 3: Aux in. The catch: Less bass than the Clip.
One note: the JBL Clip is no longer in production and isn’t widely stocked new anymore.
Buy the JBL Clip 3. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $10.05 less than the JBL Clip.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip | JBL Clip 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $50 Discontinued | $39.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #37 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #38 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (integrated 3.5mm cable) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~95Hz | ~100Hz |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Wall Wart | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (158 g) | 0.5 lbs (227 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Amplifier Power | 7W RMS | 3.3W |
| 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) | 3.8” x 5.4” x 1.8” (97 x 137 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.57” (40mm) driver | 1.57” (40mm) driver |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.1 |
| Frequency Response | - | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Clip compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs JBL Clip
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs JBL Clip
- Minirig Mini 2 vs JBL Clip
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs JBL Clip
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 vs JBL Clip
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Clip: $50 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Clip 5, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5.
Pros: Very compact and light (5.3 oz) with an integrated carabiner. Has its own built-in 3.5mm aux cable, so you don’t need to carry one separately. Measured bass extension of ~95Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Quite a lack of bass. Mids are a little hollow. Discontinued.
Full JBL Clip review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 7W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (integrated 3.5mm cable) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~95Hz |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 1.57” (40mm) driver |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Wall Wart |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (158 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Clip 3: $39.95 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Clip 5, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5.
Pros: Aux in. Very portable with a built-in carabiner; genuinely waterproof. Real-world battery often beats the 10-hour rating, sometimes lasting close to 18 hours. Measured bass extension of ~100Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Less bass than the Clip. Quite a lack of bass. Discontinued.
Full JBL Clip 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 3.3W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~100Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.8” x 5.4” x 1.8” (97 x 137 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.57” (40mm) driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (227 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons