How to Charge JBL Go 3

Left side view of the JBL Go 3 speaker, showing a USB-C cord plugged into the charging port.

This piece covers how to charge the JBL Go 3. Do this simply through the USB power in port on the right side panel. Here, we detail this charging procedure for these mini beach ready waterproof speakers. Note that you can still play your Go 3 as it charges. But this may lengthen the charging cycle a bit.

In summary, pick a strong enough USB charger adapter, as no charger comes with the JBL Go 3. Also note that this unit accepts a USB type C plug for charging. But you do not necessarily need a USB-C charger. Indeed, you may use older chargers with USB-A style plugs. So long as they provide the 5 volts at 1 amp (5 watt) power level, you’ll be good to go. JBL includes a USB-C to USB-A cable with this speaker so it works with older adapters.

Next, connect your cable between the speaker and that adapter. Then, plug the charger into a working wall outlet.

Finally, after a few hours, your JBL Go 3 finishes charging. So it’s ready to play once more for up to five hours before needing another recharge.

How to Charge JBL Go 3: Step by Step

1. Choose Correct Size AC or Car Adapter

In this case, we’re charging our speaker with an iClever dual port USB AC charger adapter, as we show next.

Now as mentioned earlier, the JBL Go 3 needs the right voltage and current specs to charge fully. It requires 5 volts at roughly 1.0 amps. So this adapter outputs plenty of current to do this job.

iClever IC-TC02 Two Port USB Wall Charger, showing the label side view.

2. Find the USB Type C Port on the JBL Go 3

Find this USB-C charging port on the left side panel, beside the carrying loop, as we see next.

Left side of the JBL Go 3. Showing the USB-C power port.

3. Power Off your JBL Go 3 (Optional)

Note that the 3 still charges when powered ON or OFF.

The dark status light.

But depending on how beefy your charger is, the 3 might charge faster when turned OFF. This is especially true of lower current chargers.

4. Plug in the USB-C Cord to the Speaker to Continue with How to Charge JBL Go 3

Then, plug the mating end of your USB-C charge cable into the matching port on the 3.

A USB-C cord plugged into the charging port.

5. Plug the Other End of the USB Cable into your Charger Adapter

Next, connect the A end of the USB power cable to the power adapter. In this demo, as said earlier, we use an iClever USB AC adapter. Plus, we have the cord that came with this speaker.

6. Plug the USB Adapter into a Working Wall Receptacle

Now that we connected the JBL Go 3 and USB charger, we then plug the adapter into AC.

The red status lamp glowing, near the bottom of this picture.

The status lamp lights up solid red on the 3 when it receives power from the adapter. And there’s no battery status gauge to shows percentage of charge. But you can tell at least that the unit is charging by looking at the status lamp. When the light glows steady red (no flashing), this means that charging is occurring.

Now you might not see the red light come on. And this could mean either your speaker is already at full charge. Or either the speaker, cable, charger, or wall outlet are defective. Troubleshoot each of these in turn to track down the problem.