Short answer: the Soundcore Mini 3. It ranks #9 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $41; the JBL Clip 5 ranks #21 and costs $69.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Soundcore Mini 3 side: Deeper bass than most other speakers in the size. Set against that: Rolled off highs.
The case for the JBL Clip 5: JBL Portable app adds custom EQ. The tradeoff: Generally more of the same from the Clip series in terms of sound but with more features.
Buy the Soundcore Mini 3. 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 | JBL Clip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $41 | $69.95 |
| Ranked | #9 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) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms | - |
| Max Volume | 87dB | - |
| 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 | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 249 g | 0.6 lbs / 285 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Charging Time | 3-4 hours | - |
| Output Power | 6W | 7W |
| Dimensions | 2.8" x 2.8" x 3.3" (71.1 x 71.1 x 83.8 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 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 95Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Klipsch Austin
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
- JBL Clip 4 vs JBL Clip
- JBL Clip 5 vs JBL Go 4
- JBL Clip 5 vs JBL Go 3
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Mini 3: $41 Amazon
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 |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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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 | No |
| 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