The JBL Clip 3 offers improved battery life over its predecessor, the Clip 2. The sound quality has remained the same and the Clip 3 is slightly heavier and bigger, but not so much that it would make any real difference. If you’re on the market for a Bluetooth speaker, visit our best Bluetooth speakers page to learn more and decide what’s right for you.
Why We Like It – JBL Clip 3
The successor to the Clip 2, The JBL Clip 3 is still as small, durable, and portable as ever. In the world of Bluetooth speakers, you won’t find something that sounds as good, as small, and as affordable as the JBL Clip 3. If you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker you should definitely check it out. If you’re looking for a conference speaker, check out the eMeet M2 AI-powered wireless conference speaker.
- Longer than marketed battery life
- IPX7 Waterproof
- Portable and Durable
- No significant sound quality improvement
- Slightly bigger and weightier than the Clip 2
- Not all that loud
Performance
The battery life of the JBL Clip 3, though outed by JBL themselves at 10 hours, has been pushed to just a little over 16 hours in testing which is a significant improvement over its predecessor. In comparison, the JBL Flip 4 has a 12-hour battery life. The sound quality is still good, but it hasn’t been upgraded all that much from the previous version. Still, it’s perfect for small gatherings outdoors or indoor parties. If you’re looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker to get loud, and still want to stick with JBL, we recommend the JBL Charge 4.
Design
You’ll be happy to know that the JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth speaker possesses an IPX7 waterproof rating making it as durable as its predecessors. It’s also just as durable as the UE Roll Bluetooth speaker. The Clip 3 is quite impressive for such a little speaker, but the Clip series has been known to provide one of the top options for a small size portable speaker. It is worth noting, however, that the JBL Clip 3 is a little larger and weighs slightly more than the JBL Clip 2. Not a big deal, but something you should be aware of. If you are looking for something portable but not as small as the Clip series, consider the Bose SoundLink Color II.
Value
The only way you’re going to be disappointed if you choose the JBL Clip 3 as your portable Bluetooth speaker of choice is if you expect it to fill up your backyard with music while having all of your friends, and their friends, over for a party. If that’s your goal, consider the Oontz Angle 3 for its larger, yet still portable, design and rich audio. If you prefer sticking to JBL, then you can read the JBL Charge Bluetooth speaker review. The Flip 3’s value lies in its portability and affordability. And with a $50.00 price tag on Amazon, it’s hard to go wrong. That’s around the same price as the Bugani M83.
JBL Clip 3 Wrap Up
It’s clear that JBL is quite proud of the sound quality that the Clip series already has but we would have liked it if they put a little bit more effort into making it even just a little bit better. Most people prefer going with the other designs of JBL, like the one in our JBL Flip 4 review. Still, the battery life of the JBL clip 3 has been vastly improved, which is fantastic, and all the other features you know and love with the Clip series have returned with the JBL Clip 3.
