Short answer: the Klipsch Austin. It ranks #15 of 62 small speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5) at $54.95 and is still sold new; the JBL Clip ranks #46 (rated 2.7/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Clip’s replacement, the JBL Clip 5, is rated 3.4/5 at $49.95.
The Klipsch Austin is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Dual passive radiators give more low-end presence than most mini speakers. Its bass reaches about 70Hz before falling 10dB, against 95Hz for the JBL Clip. It is rated for 12 hours of battery against 5 for the JBL Clip. It is rated IP67, while the JBL Clip has no water resistance. Watch for: Not as deep bass as higher ranked speakers.
The JBL Clip is the lighter choice. Very compact and light (5.3 oz) with an integrated carabiner. At 0.3 lbs (158 g) it weighs much less than the Klipsch Austin at 0.9 lbs (397 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Klipsch Austin lacks. The catch: Quite a lack of bass.
Buy the Klipsch Austin. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Clip is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Austin | JBL Clip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $54.95 | $50 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #15 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #46 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes (integrated 3.5mm cable) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~70Hz | ~95Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Broadcast Mode) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (10W reverse USB-C charging) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Wall Wart |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (397 g) | 0.3 lbs (158 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 3.0 |
| Drivers | 1.5” (38mm) full-range with dual passive radiators | 1.57” (40mm) driver |
| Charging Time | 2 hours | - |
| Dimensions | 4.3” x 4.3” x 1.7” (109 x 109 x 43 mm) | 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) |
| Amplifier Power | 10W RMS | 7W RMS |
| Maximum SPL | 89dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Klipsch Austin compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs Klipsch Austin
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Klipsch Austin
- Minirig Mini 2 vs Klipsch Austin
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Klipsch Austin
- Klipsch Austin vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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
Klipsch Austin: $54.95 Amazon $54.95 eBay
Same family: the Klipsch Nashville (larger model, rated 3.3/5) and the Klipsch Detroit (larger model, rated 3.1/5).
Pros: Dual passive radiators give more low-end presence than most mini speakers. Clear mids and crisp trebles. Rugged rubberized build with a metal grille; IP67. Supports TWS pairing with a second Austin. Measured bass extension of ~70Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as deep bass as higher ranked speakers
Full Klipsch Austin review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~70Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.3” x 4.3” x 1.7” (109 x 109 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.5” (38mm) full-range with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 89dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Broadcast Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (10W reverse USB-C charging) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (397 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch Austin vs Marshall Willen
- Klipsch Austin vs B&O Beoplay P2
- Klipsch Austin vs Soundcore Mini
- Klipsch Austin vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Klipsch Austin vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- Klipsch Austin vs Marshall Willen II
- Klipsch Austin vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Klipsch Austin vs Vifa City
- See all 42 comparisons
JBL Clip: $50 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Clip 5, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Mar 2024. See every JBL Clip generation.
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. Measured bass extension of ~95Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Quite a lack of bass. Mids are a little hollow. Discontinued.
Full JBL Clip review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 7W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (integrated 3.5mm cable) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~95Hz |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 1.57” (40mm) driver |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Wall Wart |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (158 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