Short answer: the Minirig Mini 2. It ranks #3 of 62 small speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $100. The JBL Go 3 ranks #31, rated 3.2/5, at $35.95, $64.05 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Minirig Mini 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A tiny, very neutral speaker with much deeper bass than most its size, a long battery, and an optional add on subwoofer. Its bass reaches about 58Hz before falling 10dB, against 87Hz for the JBL Go 3. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 92dB at full volume, against 88dB for the JBL Go 3. It is rated for 12 hours of battery against 5 for the JBL Go 3. The catch: Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating.
The JBL Go 3 is the lighter, tougher option. A pocket sized waterproof speaker with a rope loop for clipping to a bag. At 0.5 lbs (209 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Minirig Mini 2 at 0.7 lbs (320 g). It is rated IP67 against Splash resistant for the Minirig Mini 2. The catch: Not much bass at all, strange mids peak.
Buy the Minirig Mini 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $64.05 saving on the JBL Go 3 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Minirig Mini 2 | JBL Go 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 | $35.95 |
| Ranked | #3 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 87Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, AAC, SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary USB cable | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (320 g) | 0.5 lbs (209 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 3.3” x 2.1” (84 x 53 mm) | 3.4” x 2.7” x 1.6” (86 x 69 x 40 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 110Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 52mm custom neodymium | 36mm full-range driver |
| Charging Time | 2.5-3.5 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Amplifier Power | 15W | 4.2W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| Strap | - | Yes (built-in loop) |
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