JBL Clip 3 vs JBL Go 2 - The Smallest JBLs
If you are looking for a small, portable speaker, I am pretty sure you have already come across the two smallest speakers of JBL the JBL Go 2 and the JBL Clip 3.
Both are quite new devices on the market and were designed for the same purpose, to be small and lightweight what is easy to carry around.
I have already reviewed both models and today I will compare them together to help you which one to choose.
So let’s see which one is the better speaker in this JBL Go 2 vs JBL Clip 3 comparison review.
Bluetooth range
Battery life
Water protection
Pros
Cons
Bottom line
Bluetooth range:
- 100 feet
Battery life:
- 70% volume: 8 hours 50 minutes
- Maximum volume: 5 hours 20 minutes
Water protection:
- IPX7 certification
- It is completely waterproof, it can be submerged into 1-meter-deep water
- It floats on the water
Pros:
- Durable body
- Long Bluetooth range
- Good battery life
- Integrated carabiner
Cons:
- Weak lows
- No battery level indicator
- No daisy chain, no JBL Connect+
Bottom line:
The Clip 3 is a more advanced speaker with a better sound, longer battery life, and Bluetooth range. If you can afford the price difference, I recommend buying the Clip 3 over the Go 2.
Bluetooth range:
- 70 feet
Battery life:
- 70% volume: 6 hours 40 minutes
- Maximum volume: 3 hours 30 minutes
Water protection:
- IPX7 certification
- It can be submerged into 1-meter-deep water for 30 minutes
Pros:
- Ultra-portable size
- IPX7 water protection
- Solid, premium design
- Long Bluetooth range
Cons:
- Weak lows
- No battery level indicator
- No daisy chain, no JBL Connect+
Bottom line:
- The Go 2 is a small stylish speaker with a durable body and clear sound, however, if you can afford the Clip 3 is a better choice.
Price
Checking their price, the JBL Clip 3 is the more expensive model.
Click here to check the current price of the JBL Clip 3
Click here to check the current price of the JBL Go 2
You can find the reviews of the speakers here:
Both speakers come in the same small transparent box with only some papers and a micro USB cable included.
In terms of colors, both models provide several options, you can buy the Go 2 in 12 different colors, while the Clip 3 is available in 11.
The Design
In terms of size, both are a compact speaker what you can easily put into your pocket.
However, comparing them together the Clip 3 is the larger device, especially due to its built-in carabiner.
Since they are quite new models, it is not a surprise that both speakers have a modern look.
The Go 2 got a metal speaker grille and a full rubberized soft plastic coverage with a JBL logo carved into its back.
It got smooth, curved corners, which really fits into your hand.
The Clip 3 has a mash fabric speaker grille on the front and a rubberized plastic on the back.
The whole speaker is embraced by a metal frame, which forms into a carabiner on the top.
Both speakers are solid, durable devices.
I even did a drop test video with the JBL Go 2, so you can see, how many things this small speaker can withstand.
Music Control
Both speakers have the same volume up, down, play buttons and provide a limited music control capability.
Which means you can pause/play the music by single pressing the play button and jump to the next song by double pressing it.
However, it is not possible to go back to the previously played song or to forward/backward in a song.
They got a built-in noise and echo-canceling microphone, so they can be used as a speakerphone to answer phone calls.
Water Protection
Since we are speaking about ultra-portable speakers, it is very likely that you will use them outdoors.
The good news is that both devices are waterproof, so they can be used even in rain or on the beach without any problems.
They got an IPX7 certification, which means they are completely waterproof and can be submerged into 1-meter-deep water for 30 minutes.
One advantage of the Clip 3 that it even floats on the water, so you do not have to worry if you even drop it all the way in.
The Go 2 does not float on the water, so if you plan to use the speaker for water sports or in a boat then the Clip 3 is a much better choice.
Attachment Option
As its name implies, the Clip 3 got a handy carabiner, which can be used to hang it on a hook or attach it to anything like a backpack or a belt.
This is very useful and really improves the portability of the device.
In contrast, unfortunately, the Go 2 did not get any attachment option and while the original Go had at least a cutout on its side where you could attach a lanyard to it, it was also removed from the Go 2.
So the built-in carabiner is definitely a strong advantage of the Clip 3 over the Go 2.
How to Setup
The setup was pretty easy by both speakers, I didn’t have any problem here, however, it is worth to mention that none of the speakers support the JBL mobile app.
Connectivity, Bluetooth range
In terms of connectivity, both speakers are equipped with an audio jack input port, so they can be connected also via a cable.
In my outdoor test, I measured 70 feet long Bluetooth range by the Go 2 and 100 feet by the Clip 3.
So in terms of Bluetooth range the Clip 3 is the winner, however, both ranges are pretty long and above the average in this category.
You will likely not have any connectivity problems with the speakers.
Unfortunately, none of the speakers support the JBL Connect technology, so it is not possible to connect them together with other JBL speakers for an amplified or a stereo sound.
You cannot even connect two Clip 3 or two Go 2 devices together.
Battery Life
The Go 2 comes with a 730mAh lithium-ion battery, while the Clip 3 got a bigger 1000mAh built-in battery.
In my test, where I played various types of songs on the speakers at 70% volume, I measured 6 hours 40 minutes play time by the Go 2 and got 8 hours 50 minutes by the Clip 3.
Repeating the same test at maximum volume, the Go 2 provided 3 hours 30 minutes play time, while the Clip 3 played for 5 hours 20 minutes.
So, it is not a surprise that the bigger battery of the Clip 3 performed better and provided a longer battery life.
Unfortunately, none of the speakers have a battery level indicator, so you do not know the exact battery level.
Sound Test
Under the hood, both speakers have the same sized 3 watts driver and they have a nice, clean, distortion-free sound.
However, undoubtedly, the sound of the Clip 3 is more powerful, it is slightly louder and has a more pronounced bass.
So in terms of sound quality, the Clip 3 is the winner.
Conclusion
Overall, both speakers are good devices and if the small size and the portability is an important factor for you then they are excellent choices.
From the two, the Clip 3 is the more advanced speaker with a better sound, longer battery life, and Bluetooth range.
Also, its carabiner can come really handy when you carry the speaker around.
So if you can afford the price difference, I definitely recommend buying the Clip 3 over the Go 2.
Click here to check the current price of the JBL Clip 3
Click here to check the current price of the JBL Go 2
You can find the reviews of the speakers here:
Alternatives
One alternative can be the older JBL Clip 2 which is still available on the market.
It provides a similar functionality as the Clip 3 for a lower price.
It is not so stylish and has a shorter Bluetooth range and a weaker sound, however, it comes with a built-in audio cable and you can connect two JBL Clip 2 devices together for an amplified sound.
If you want a small device with the best available sound and you do not mind if it is a bit pricey then the Bose SoundLink Micro is also a great alternative.
It is a small speaker with a durable, rubberized body and it has an elastic strap on its back which can be used to attach the speaker to something.
It has a bigger sound and much deeper lows than the JBL speakers, however, it has a shorter battery life and a much higher price tag.
From the UE in this category, you can find the Roll 2 which is also a waterproof portable speaker with a nice sound.
It got a cool design and also has a durable body and an elastic strap on its back.
