Short answer: the JBL Go 3. It ranks #31 of 62 small speakers by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $35.95. The Dayton Audio Boost Mini ranks #38, rated 3.0/5, at $19.98, $15.97 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the JBL Go 3 does well: A pocket sized waterproof speaker with a rope loop for clipping to a bag. The catch: Not much bass at all, strange mids peak.
Why pick the Dayton Audio Boost Mini: A tiny, very cheap waterproof speaker with an aux input, microSD playback, stereo pairing, and USB-C charging. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Go 3 lacks. The catch: Not much bass, mids slightly boosted, highs a little rolled off.
Buy the JBL Go 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $15.97 you would save on the Dayton Audio Boost Mini does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 3 | Dayton Audio Boost Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $35.95 | $19.98 |
| Ranked | #31 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #38 of 62 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) | - |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 2.7” x 1.6” (86 x 69 x 40 mm) | 3.9” x 3.9” x 1.8” (99.8 x 99.8 x 45 mm) |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours | - |
| Amplifier Power | 4.2W | Specs not clearly published |
| Drivers | 36mm full-range driver | 1.75” (44mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
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