Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB100 for better sound quality, the JBL Clip 3 for the lower price. The Sony SRS-XB100 ranks #33 of 47 small speakers at $63. The JBL Clip 3 ranks #36 at $49.99, $13.01 cheaper.
What the Sony SRS-XB100 gets right: Long real-world battery life (~17 hours in testing). The catch: Not much bass.
On the JBL Clip 3 side: Aux in. Set against that: Less bass than the Clip.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB100 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Clip 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the JBL Clip 3. It ranks near the bottom of the 47 small speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XB100 is rated for 16 hours versus 10 hours for the JBL Clip 3.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sony SRS-XB100 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Clip 3 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB100 | JBL Clip 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $63.00 | $49.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #33 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #36 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 274 g | 0.5 lbs / 227 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Drivers | 46mm | 1.57" (40mm) driver |
| Dimensions | 3" x 3.7" (76 x 95 mm) (diameter x height) | 3.8" x 5.4" x 1.8" (97 x 137 x 46 mm) |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Output Power | 2.5W | 3.3W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~100Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Go 5 vs Sony SRS-XB13
- JBL Clip 4 vs JBL Clip
- JBL Go 4 vs Sony SRS-XB13
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs JBL Clip
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XB100: $63.00 Amazon
Pros: Long real-world battery life (~17 hours in testing). IP67 rated and pocketable at 267g, with a clip for bags/gear. Can stereo-pair two units.
Cons: Not much bass. Seems pretty much the same as the XB13, maybe a teeny bit deeper bass and a little less muddy.
Full Sony SRS-XB100 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3" x 3.7" (76 x 95 mm) (diameter x height) |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 2.5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 274 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- CEONTHEMAKING: BATTLE Of The Compact Speakers Sony SRS-XB100 VS JBL Clip 4!
- Flossy Carter: Sony SRS-XB100 - Small Speaker, Huge Sound
- Danny Pops: Agreeable Gray? - The Sony XB100 is almost the same as the XB13
- Storytripper HD: JBL GO 4 vs TRIBIT MICRO 2 vs KLIPSCH AUSTIN vs SONY SRS-XB100
- Reddit Search for Sony SRS-XB100 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Clip 3: $49.99 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Aux in. Very portable with a built-in carabiner; genuinely waterproof. Real-world battery often beats the 10-hour rating, sometimes lasting close to 18 hours.
Cons: Less bass than the Clip. Quite a lack of bass. Discontinued.
Full JBL Clip 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~100Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.8" x 5.4" x 1.8" (97 x 137 x 46 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1.57" (40mm) driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 3.3W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 227 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons