Review JBL Clip 3: Durable speaker, big sound

In today's article, let's review the JBL Clip 3 in detail with TipsMake to see if it is the right choice for you.

Relatively small, but still a bit bulky

This is one of the smallest Bluetooth speakers on the market, offering good sound quality. However, one thing to note is that this speaker is not too big, but it is also about 5cm thick.

When clipped to the backpack strap, the speaker sits neatly, slightly protruding. The speaker is not too heavy and the sturdy clip makes it easy to move.

Review JBL Clip 3: Durable speaker, big sound Picture 1

Durability and quality: Matching the price

The real highlight of the Clip 3 is the feel in the hand. Thick plastic back with soft rubber provides the same durability and enhanced shock resistance. However, in practice, the chassis is so stiff that the buttons that sink along the side are a bit difficult to press when you want to turn on and pair the device.

Built-in IPX7 water resistance is standard on this series of speakers. The number 7 means you can submerge the speaker to a depth of 3 meters for half an hour (this has been tested in the lab). So this speaker will be perfectly fine on camping trips or in inclement weather.

Sound quality: Good, but not really great

With a device as small as the Clip 3, it's hard to expect much in terms of sound quality. As a general rule, larger enclosures provide better quality, as they can accommodate physically larger drivers and have enough chamber space to pass a variety of frequencies. You don't get that flexibility with a device less than 15cm.

The Clip 3 is basically just a small amp and single speaker that produces 3.3W of power, with very little sound enhancement. Clip 3 offers only low 120Hz coverage and 20kHz peak coverage. This means that the bass part will be very limited.

That's not a big deal with a mid-range speaker like this. The sound is relatively clear, a big plus for those who like to listen to podcasts. There's no fancy Bluetooth codec like aptX here, so you'll have to get used to the audio compression inherent in basic Bluetooth transmission.

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Battery life: Pretty good

Clip 3's battery life falls to about 10 hours of continuous playback. This is a loud Bluetooth speaker that doesn't take up much space and will get you through a full Friday night party.

The provided micro USB port is really only capable of charging the Clip 3 as fast as 3 hours from 0% to full.

Conclude

The JBL Clip 3 is a good speaker, but not the best choice. In terms of durability and flashy looks alone, many people may find this speaker worthwhile, but don't expect too much from the sound quality.

Micah Soto

Update 16 July 2021