Short answer: the JBL Go 3, on both price and ranking. It costs $39.95, $50.05 less than the Harman Kardon Neo and ranks #28 of 49 against #45. The Go 3 is pocket-sized at 0.5 lbs (209 g) but has not much bass and a strange mids peak; the Neo answers with IPX7 waterproofing while sharing the huge lack of bass.
Buy the JBL Go 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Harman Kardon Neo is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Battery life favors the Harman Kardon Neo: rated for 10 hours against 5 hours for the JBL Go 3.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Go 3 is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Neo at no water resistance.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 3 | Harman Kardon Neo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.95 | $90 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #28 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #45 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 87Hz | 105Hz |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 87dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (209 g) | 0.6 lbs (251 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Frequency Response | 110Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 2.7” x 1.6” (86 x 69 x 40 mm) | 4.3” x 4.3” x 1.3” (110 x 110 x 34.1 mm) |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Amplifier Power | 4.2W | 3W |
| Drivers | 36mm full-range driver | 1.6” (41mm) full-range driver |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for 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
Harman Kardon Neo: $90 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Harman Kardon Neo uses 1.6” (41mm) full-range driver. Its 251 g, claimed 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, up to 87dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. IPX7 waterproof, with an attachment loop and an echo-cancelling microphone for calls. Measured bass extension of 105Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 105Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Neo review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 3W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 105Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.3” x 4.3” x 1.3” (110 x 110 x 34.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.6” (41mm) full-range driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 87dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (251 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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