Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB100, because it lasts far longer, though neither ranks well in its class. The Sony recorded long real-world battery life of about 17 hours in testing and has not much bass. The JBL Clip 3 adds an aux input but has less bass than the Clip, so the wired option is its only advantage. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 49 small speakers, and the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2, ranked #1 at $49.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The case for the JBL Clip 3: Aux in. The catch: Less bass than the Clip.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB100. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Clip 3 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XB100 is rated for 16 hours versus 10 hours for the JBL Clip 3.
Water resistance is not close: the Sony SRS-XB100 is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the JBL Clip 3 at no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB100 | JBL Clip 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $63.00 | $49.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #35 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #38 of 49 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 | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (274 g) | 0.5 lbs (227 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Amplifier Power | 2.5W | 3.3W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~100Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sony SRS-XB100:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs Sony SRS-XB100
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Sony SRS-XB100
- Minirig Mini 2 vs Sony SRS-XB100
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Sony SRS-XB100
- Sony SRS-XB100 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
Sony SRS-XB100: $63.00 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Sony SRS-XB13 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB12 (ranked lower, rated 2.5/5).
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 2.5W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (274 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- CEONTHEMAKING: BATTLE Of The Compact Speakers Sony SRS-XB100 VS JBL Clip 4! More from CEONTHEMAKING →
- Flossy Carter: Sony SRS-XB100 - Small Speaker, Huge Sound More from FlossyCarter →
- Danny Pops: Agreeable Gray? - The Sony XB100 is almost the same as the XB13 More from DannyPops →
- Storytripper HD: JBL GO 4 vs TRIBIT MICRO 2 vs KLIPSCH AUSTIN vs SONY SRS-XB100 More from storytripperhd →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs Sony SRS-XB13
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs Boat Stone 190/193
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs JBL Clip
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs Monster Bluetooth Speaker
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs Dayton Audio Boost Mini
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs Onn Small Rugged Speaker
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs Hopestar H54
- See all 42 comparisons
JBL Clip 3: $49.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Clip 5, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5.
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. Measured bass extension of ~100Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Less bass than the Clip. Quite a lack of bass. Discontinued.
Full JBL Clip 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 3.3W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~100Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 1.57” (40mm) driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (227 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