Short answer: the Soundcore Mini 3. It ranks #9 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $41; the JBL Clip 3 ranks #36 and costs $49.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Soundcore Mini 3 offers: Deeper bass than most other speakers in the size. Watch for: Rolled off highs
What the JBL Clip 3 offers: 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. Watch for: Less bass than the Clip. Quite a lack of bass.
Buy the Soundcore Mini 3. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Clip 3 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
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 Soundcore Mini 3 is rated for 15 hours versus 10 hours for the JBL Clip 3.
If water resistance matters to you, the Soundcore Mini 3 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Clip 3 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Mini 3 | JBL Clip 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $41 | $49.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #9 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #36 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | ~100Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms | - |
| Max Volume | 87dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 249 g | 0.5 lbs / 227 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Charging Time | 3-4 hours | 3 hours |
| Output Power | 6W | 3.3W |
| Dimensions | 2.8" x 2.8" x 3.3" (71.1 x 71.1 x 83.8 mm) | 3.8" x 5.4" x 1.8" (97 x 137 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver | 1.57" (40mm) driver |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Clip 5 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs JBL Clip
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs JBL Clip
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Mini 3: $41 Amazon eBay
Pros: Deeper bass than most other speakers in the size.
Cons: Rolled off highs
Full Soundcore Mini 3 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3-4 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.8" x 2.8" x 3.3" (71.1 x 71.1 x 83.8 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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Vifa City
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Marshall Willen II
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Teufel Boomster Go
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Anker Soundcore Mini
- See all 28 comparisons
JBL Clip 3: $49.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
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 | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 3.3W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 227 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons