Short answer: the JBL Clip for better sound quality, the Xiaomi Sound Pocket for the lower price. The JBL Clip ranks #35 of 47 small speakers at $50. The Xiaomi Sound Pocket ranks #45 at $22.99, $27.01 cheaper.
What the JBL Clip offers: 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. The tradeoff: Quite a lack of bass. Mids are a little hollow.
The case for the Xiaomi Sound Pocket: 5W output, IP67 waterproof, 10-hour battery life, compact 200g ultra-portable design, Bluetooth 5.4 with TWS stereo pairing, built-in microphone, USB-C charging, 3.6-inch form factor. The catch: Bass light, vocals harsh above ~80% volume, vibrates/walks on hard surfaces at higher volume when upright, slow 3-hour charge.
Buy the JBL Clip if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Xiaomi Sound Pocket if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Xiaomi Sound Pocket. 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 Sound Pocket is rated for 10 hours versus 5 hours for the JBL Clip.
If water resistance matters to you, the Xiaomi Sound Pocket at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Clip at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip | Xiaomi Sound Pocket | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $50 Discontinued | $22.99 |
| Ranked | #35 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #45 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | 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 | - |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | 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 / 200 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Output 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) | 3.6" x 2.9" x 1.7" (90.8 x 74.4 x 42.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.57" (40mm) driver | Full-range driver + passive radiator |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Capacity | - | 1000mAh |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.4 |
| Frequency Response | - | 100Hz - 20kHz (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 Sound Pocket: $22.99 Amazon Aliexpress
Pros: 5W output, IP67 waterproof, 10-hour battery life, compact 200g ultra-portable design, Bluetooth 5.4 with TWS stereo pairing, built-in microphone, USB-C charging, 3.6-inch form factor
Cons: Bass light, vocals harsh above ~80% volume, vibrates/walks on hard surfaces at higher volume when upright, slow 3-hour charge
Full Xiaomi Sound Pocket review and specifications →
| Aux Input | No |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 1000mAh |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.6" x 2.9" x 1.7" (90.8 x 74.4 x 42.6 mm) |
| Drivers | Full-range driver + passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 200 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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