In this piece, we offer our JBL Clip 3 waterproof Bluetooth speaker review specs features list. We cover this cloth grill speaker’s performance, usability, and included accessories. The Clip 3 sounds pretty nice and goes fairly loud. One drawback though. Not much deep bass from this speaker, although the midrange and high frequencies come through, punchy and clear.
JBL Clip 3 Speaker Review: Initial Remarks
Other than that, this JBL 3 Bluetooth speaker is a valuable buy, new or used. You can get it on eBay for under forty US dollars occasionally.
Given the heavy popularity of the JBL Clip 3, we thought we’d jot down its high and low features below, that we discovered while testing the speaker we bought. We’re sure that you’ll concur, that for the low cost, the JBL Clip 3 is a good value portable Bluetooth speaker in so many key respects. Get one as a first Bluetooth speaker, for decent sound at an affordable price.
For a complete listing of the Flip 3’s physical and electrical specifications, please see our JBL Clip 3 Specs post for further details.
JBL Clip 3 Speaker Review: Advantages, Benefits, Pros, and Features
As we’ve come to expect from JBL, this Bluetooth speaker has far more pros than cons. So first, let’s tackle that good list of features.
Fits Well in Your Hand
The Clip 3 is small and light enough to tote around without much extra burden. Plus, it’s handheld, and so, easy to take from party to party. Hang it anywhere its carabiner will fit.
Built in Carabiner
The permanently attached U-shaped clip carabiner allows affixing the speaker on a belt keeper loop, a fence, a backpack strap, a lanyard around your neck, and so on. This way, the speaker is out of the way. But you can still her it’s fabulous sounds.
Useful Accessories Included
With this Bluetooth speaker, you get the following: A USB charge cable, a quick start guide, a safety sheet, and a warranty card.
JBL Clip 3 Speaker Review: Anti Skid Bottom
The Clip 3, when laid horizontally, does not slide, due to the large anti-skid base at the bottom, as shown next.
Easy to Work Controls
This third version of the JBL Clip waterproof speaker has five buttons. These include Power, Play-Pause, Volume UP and DOWN, and Pairing. Two of these are on the side of the speaker, as shown next.
We find the other three buttons on the speaker front grill, near the top, as shown next.
Multi Function Lamp
There’s a light on the top of the Clip 3 that informs viewers of the speaker status. It indicates by its color and flash patterns, the operating mode of the speaker, battery charging done / not done, and so on.
When the Clip 3 is powered OFF, the light is dark, as shown next, pointed at by the green arrow.
When powered on buy not paired with any source Bluetooth device, the light slowly flashes white, on and off, as shown next. It blinks white rapidly when the Clip 3 is in Bluetooth discovery mode. Finally, when you successfully pair with the JBL Clip 3, this lamp glows solid white.
While recharging the speaker from USB power, and while the battery has not yet reached full charge, this light glows solid red, as shown next. It returns to whatever pattern it was in prior to starting a recharge cycle, whenever charging finishes.
JBL Clip 3 Speaker Review: Built in Rechargeable Battery
The JBL Clip 3 battery fully charges in under three and a half hours. Further, with medium play volumes, this battery lasts roughly ten hours per complete recharge.
Micro USB Charge Port
How to charge JBL Clip 3? This Flip has a micro USB recharge port, as pictured next, pointed at by the green arrow.
Connect this BT speaker with a USB charger (not included) with the included USB cable. We suggest using a 2.0 amp or greater USB AC adapter, although the speaker specs hint that a 0.6 amp charger works well also.
Then, plug the adapter into AC power, and let charge for about three too three and a half hours.
JBL Clip Charging Cable Included
The JBL Clip 3 comes with a micro USB charging cable, although many cables from other vendors work well too. We picture this accessory cable next.
Built in Speakerphone
When paired with a smart phone, you can answer calls with buttons on the JBL Clip 3. The sound on these calls is quite clear too, owing to the built in mic and noise reduction circuits. Has SoundClear® noise and echo reduction when on a call to enhance call sound quality.
JBL Clip 3 Speaker Review: Monophonic Sound
You get 3.3 watts of audio power. No stereo sound from this unit however.
Supports Various Bluetooth Sources
Pairs with most streaming mobile devices, paired one at a time.
Rigid Cloth Grill Reduces Dents and Scratches
The perforated sound grill that covers the speaker protects the unit from scaring mishaps.
Comes in at Least Several Attractive Colors
You gen buy the JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth speaker in many colors, including, but not limited to, red, tan, yellow, pink, and white. We bought the red, as shown in the pictures peppered throughout this post.
JBL Clip 3 Speaker Review: Disadvantages, Cons, Problems, Drawbacks, and Limitations
No Distinct Bass Ports, Bass Drivers, or Passive Bass Radiators
Due to the small size of the JBL Clip 3, as well as the need to keep it light for maximum portability, no large bass drivers or tuned ports are present. Thus, JBL sacrificed enhanced bass response from this product. With that said though, this speaker has a surprisingly full sound for its size nonetheless. It’s particularly good for listening to audio books, old time radio, and other speech content. Music through it sounds pretty good as well, as long as you don’t mind less deep bass.
No JBL Connect+ App Support
The JBL Connect Plus app does not recognize this speaker. Further, you cannot include the JBL Clip 3 in a group of more than one speaker, as it has no JBL Connect+ button. So, this speaker cannot receive the same audio as other speakers in a group at the same time with speakers that support the JBL Connect+ protocol.
No Battery Status Indicator
The JBL Clip 3 does not offer a way to tell how much “juice” is left in the built in rechargeable battery. While the lamp beneath the clip tells you when the battery is done charging, it gives no indication of battery charge level when not charging. So, for longest play time each time you use the speaker, be sure to fully recharge it before taking to an outside party or on a trip.
JBL Clip 3 Speaker Review: Our Rating
We find the JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth speaker a good purchase. This is a solid portable speaker, filling the role of a SMALL Bluetooth speaker quite well. It never stutters, except when the battery goes dead. Plus, it plays well even when nearby radio interference sources are present.
We like the round shape, choice of colors, and thoughtful planning for miniaturization that went into this JBL product. Its acoustic design makes it a near high fidelity speaker in spite of its small driver size. So we rate the Clip 3 by JBL at 96 out of 100. It does what it’s designed to do, the best in its class.
Where to Buy the JBL Clip 3 Speaker
We bought ours at Walmart for $60. But you can also find it for sale on Amazon, and the JBL site among other outlets. Prices ranges from around $30 (for a pre owned unit) to $70 (for a higher-priced brand new one) currently.
Other Posts About the JBL Clip 3 Speaker
- JBL Clip 3 Charging Instructions, Step by Step
- How to Pair JBL Clip 3 with Google Home Speakers
- JBL Clip 3 Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker Picture Gallery
- How to Adjust Volume on JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth Speaker
- How to Change JBL Clip 3 Name, Someday Perhaps