Short answer: the JBL Go 3 if sound quality matters most, the Boat Stone 190 if price matters most. The JBL Go 3 ranks #28 of 50 small speakers, rated 3.2/5, at $39.95. The Boat Stone 190 ranks #34, rated 2.9/5, at $9, $30.95 cheaper.
The JBL Go 3 is the better-sounding pick. Genuinely pocket-sized at 0.5 lbs (209 g). Watch for: Not much bass at all, strange mids peak.
What the Boat Stone 190 does well: Ultra-lightweight 0.4 lbs (185 g) design with IPX7 waterproof protection. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Go 3 lacks. The tradeoff: Minimal low bass extension below 95Hz; highs are rolled off at higher volume.
Buy the JBL Go 3 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Boat Stone 190 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 3 | Boat Stone 190 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.95 | 9.00 |
| Ranked | #28 of 50 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #34 of 50 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 87Hz | 95Hz |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6.5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (209 g) | 0.4 lbs (185 g) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | 110Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 70kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 2.7” x 1.6” (86 x 69 x 40 mm) | 4.1” x 4.1” x 2.6” (105 x 105 x 67 mm) |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours | 1.5 hours |
| Amplifier Power | 4.2W | 5W |
| Drivers | 36mm full-range driver | 52mm |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Go 3:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs JBL Go 3
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs JBL Go 3
- Minirig Mini 2 vs JBL Go 3
- JBL Go 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- JBL Go 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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 Go 3: $39.95 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Go 5, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5.
Pros: Genuinely pocket-sized at 209g. IP67 rated, survives full submersion in a meter of water for 30 minutes. Rope loop for clipping to a bag. Measured bass extension of 87Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not much bass at all, strange mids peak.
Full JBL Go 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 4.2W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 87Hz |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 2.7” x 1.6” (86 x 69 x 40 mm) |
| Drivers | 36mm full-range driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 110Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (209 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL GO 3 Review - vs Tribit Stormbox Micro - best small cheap speaker? More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: Jbl Go 3 vs Sony XB12 Sound Battle With Sound Sample More from DLXWillington →
- Stereo Specs: JBL GO 4 vs JBL GO 3 : Is there more bass or not?Unboxing,Features,Specs,Sound Test & Comparison !
- StereoSpecs: JBL GO 4 vs JBL GO 3 : Worth the upgrade?
- Techder Audios: JBL GO 3 VS XIAOMI PORTABLE OUTDOOR SPEAKER "BEST COMPACT SPEAKERS!?" More from techderaudios →
- Techder Audios: HOPESTAR H54 VS JBL GO 3 "SIMILAR DESIGN BUT SOUND IS DIFFERENT?!’’
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Neo vs JBL GO 3 - best bluetooth micro speaker❗❗❗
- Techder Audios: JBL GO 3 VS ORTIZAN X10
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Boat Stone 190: 9.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Ultra-lightweight 185 g design with IPX7 waterproof protection. 52mm dynamic driver produces surprisingly clear volume for its size. Includes microSD slot and 3.5mm aux input. Measured bass extension of 95Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Minimal low bass extension below 95Hz; highs are rolled off at higher volume.
Full Boat Stone 190 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 5W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 95Hz |
| Battery Life | 6.5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1” x 4.1” x 2.6” (105 x 105 x 67 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 70kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (185 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