Short answer: the Soundcore Mini 3 Pro. It ranks #8 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $30; the JBL Clip 5 ranks #21 and costs $69.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Soundcore Mini 3 Pro offers: Lights on top. Deeper bass than most other speakers in the size. Watch for: Rolled off highs. Real-world battery life falls well short of the 15-hour claim at higher volumes.
The case for the JBL Clip 5: JBL Portable app adds custom EQ. Wider carabiner and thicker back padding than the Clip 4. The tradeoff: Generally more of the same from the Clip series in terms of sound but with more features.
Buy the Soundcore Mini 3 Pro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Clip 5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Mini 3 Pro | JBL Clip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $30 | $69.95 |
| Ranked | #8 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #21 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 249 g | 0.6 lbs / 285 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Output Power | 6W | 7W |
| Dimensions | 2.8" x 2.8" x 3.6" (71.1 x 71.1 x 91.4 mm) | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 134.5 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver | 1x ~50mm (2") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| Max Volume | 87dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 95Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs JBL Clip 4
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 vs Teufel Boomster Go
- Teufel Boomster Go vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- Anker Soundcore Mini vs JBL Clip 5
- JBL Clip 5 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Mini 3 Pro: $30 Amazon
Pros: Lights on top. Deeper bass than most other speakers in the size.
Cons: Rolled off highs. Real-world battery life falls well short of the 15-hour claim at higher volumes. Buttons are hard to see (black print on black housing) and it won’t multipoint to two phones at once.
Full Soundcore Mini 3 Pro review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.8" x 2.8" x 3.6" (71.1 x 71.1 x 91.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 87dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 6W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 249 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Soundcore Mini 3
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Teufel Boomster Go
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Vifa City
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Marshall Willen II
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Minirig Mini
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- See all 22 comparisons
JBL Clip 5: $69.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: JBL Portable app adds custom EQ. Wider carabiner and thicker back padding than the Clip 4. IP67 rated. Auracast support for pairing multiple JBL speakers.
Cons: Generally more of the same from the Clip series in terms of sound but with more features. Basically about the same as the Clip 4
Full JBL Clip 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 134.5 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x ~50mm (2") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 95Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 7W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 285 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons