Short answer: the Stormbox Micro, and it’s barely more expensive. It ranks #5 of 47 small speakers at $40; the Go 3 ranks #26 at $39.95, a nickel less for a much weaker placement.
The Go 3’s cons are blunt. Not much bass at all, plus a strange peak in the mids. The Stormbox Micro isn’t flawless either: it gets murky and slightly sharp near max volume, and its down-firing passive radiator needs a flat surface underneath or the bass gets muffled.
Our own notes on the Stormbox Micro recommend spending $10 more anyway. They highly suggest the Stormbox Micro 2 instead, which goes louder and deeper for not much extra money, ranking #1 in this same class.
Buy the Stormbox Micro over the Go 3 at this price. Buy the Stormbox Micro 2 instead if you can stretch another $10, which our own notes say is worth it.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 3 | Tribit Stormbox Micro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.95 | $40 |
| Ranked | #26 of 46 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #5 of 46 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 87Hz | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 88dB | 93dB |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 209 g | 0.7 lbs / 295 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Frequency Response | 110Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 3.39" x 2.72" x 1.57" (86 x 69 x 40 mm) | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours | - |
| Output Power | 4.2W | 13W |
| Drivers | 36mm full-range driver | 48mm NdFeB |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 180ms |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Go 3: $39.95 Amazon
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.
Cons: Not much bass at all, strange mids peak.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 87Hz |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours |
| Dimensions | 3.39" x 2.72" x 1.57" (86 x 69 x 40 mm) |
| Drivers | 36mm full-range driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 110Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 88dB |
| Output Power | 4.2W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 209 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL GO 3 Review - vs Tribit Stormbox Micro - best small cheap speaker?
- DLX Willington: Jbl Go 3 vs Sony XB12 Sound Battle With Sound Sample
- 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!?”
- 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
- Links
Tribit Stormbox Micro: $40 Amazon
Pros: Quite neutral. Slight hollowness in the mids. Built in strap is super useful for attaching it to things. Highly recommend spending the extra $10 for the Micro 2 which goes louder and deeper. To have it aimed directly at you unclip the strap and the speaker will sit upright with a slight lean back.
Cons: Gets murky and slightly sharp near max volume; boosted bass distorts when pushed loud. Down-firing passive radiator needs a flat surface underneath or the bass gets muffled.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" |
| Drivers | 48mm NdFeB |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 93dB |
| Output Power | 13W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 295 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 ultimate review 🤭 vs Micro 1 - small and mighty!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig Mini v Tribit Stormbox Micro or Bose Soundlink Micro
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB13 vs XB12 - review and full sound test - best small speaker? 🙄
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL GO 3 Review - vs Tribit Stormbox Micro - best small cheap speaker?
- NJ Studio Channel: Tribit stormbox micro vs 1More s1001bt Bass Test!!🔥
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.