Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Miniroll. It ranks #12 of 62 small speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5) at $50.99 and is still sold new; the JBL Clip 3 ranks #47 (rated 2.7/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Clip 3’s replacement, the JBL Clip 5, is rated 3.4/5 at $49.95.
The Ultimate Ears Miniroll is the better-sounding, tougher choice. Good clarity and detail in the mids and highs, with a warmer balance than most speakers its size. It is rated IP67, while the JBL Clip 3 has no water resistance. It links with other speakers (PartyUp/Auracast, Miniroll-only), which the JBL Clip 3 cannot. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The tradeoff: Bass does not reach as deep as the best-rated speakers.
Why pick the JBL Clip 3: Aux in. The catch: Less bass than the JBL Clip.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Miniroll. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Clip 3 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Miniroll | JBL Clip 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $50.99 | $49.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #12 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #47 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp/Auracast, Miniroll-only) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (279 g) | 0.5 lbs (227 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 4.8” x 4.1” x 1.9” (122.7 x 105 x 48.1 mm) | 3.8” x 5.4” x 1.8” (97 x 137 x 46 mm) |
| Charging Time | 2.3 hours | 3 hours |
| Drivers | 45.6mm active with passive radiator | 1.57” (40mm) driver |
| Amplifier Power | 3W RMS | 3.3W |
| Maximum SPL | 83dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~100Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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
Ultimate Ears Miniroll: $50.99 Amazon $50.99 eBay
Older model: the Ultimate Ears Roll 2 (rated 2.2/5). See every Ultimate Ears Roll generation.
Pros: Ultimate Ears Miniroll uses 45.6mm active with passive radiator. Its 279 g, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 83dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Good clarity and detail in the mids and highs, with a warmer balance than most speakers its size.
Cons: There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Bass does not reach as deep as the best-rated speakers.
Full Ultimate Ears Miniroll review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 3W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2.3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.8” x 4.1” x 1.9” (122.7 x 105 x 48.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 45.6mm active with passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 83dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp/Auracast, Miniroll-only) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (279 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Clip 3: $49.99 Discontinued Amazon $49.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Clip 5, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Mar 2024.
Older models: the JBL Clip 2 (ranked lower, rated 2.7/5) and the JBL Clip (ranked higher, rated 2.7/5). See every JBL Clip generation.
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 JBL Clip. Quite a lack of bass. Discontinued.
Full JBL Clip 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons