Short answer: the JBL Clip for better sound quality, the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini for the lower price. The JBL Clip ranks #35 of 47 small speakers at $50. The Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini ranks #37 at $21.99, $28.01 cheaper.
What the JBL Clip gets right: 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. Watch for: Quite a lack of bass. Mids are a little hollow.
What the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini offers: IP67 waterproof, TWS stereo pairing, 10-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.0, compact 185g design, bass boost equalizer, dual drivers with passive radiator, built-in microphone, USB-C charging, affordable price. The tradeoff: Not much bass, treble rolled off.
Buy the JBL Clip if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini. It ranks near the bottom of the 47 small speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini is rated for 10 hours versus 5 hours for the JBL Clip.
If water resistance matters to you, the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Clip at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip | Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $50 Discontinued | $21.99 |
| Ranked | #35 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #37 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (integrated 3.5mm cable) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~95Hz | - |
| 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 | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs / 158 g | 0.4 lbs / 185 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Output Power | 7W RMS | Not published |
| 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) | 3.4" x 3.4" x 1.8" (86 x 86 x 45 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.57" (40mm) driver | 2x drivers (rare-earth magnet, long-fibre diaphragm) + passive radiator |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Capacity | - | 2000mAh |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | - | 200Hz - 15kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Clip: $50 Discontinued
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.
Cons: Quite a lack of bass. Mids are a little hollow. Discontinued.
Full JBL Clip review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (integrated 3.5mm cable) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~95Hz |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1.57" (40mm) driver |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 7W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Wall Wart |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs / 158 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini: $21.99
Pros: IP67 waterproof, TWS stereo pairing, 10-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.0, compact 185g design, bass boost equalizer, dual drivers with passive radiator, built-in microphone, USB-C charging, affordable price
Cons: Not much bass, treble rolled off
Full Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Capacity | 2000mAh |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 3.4" x 1.8" (86 x 86 x 45 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers (rare-earth magnet, long-fibre diaphragm) + passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 200Hz - 15kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | Not published |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 185 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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