Picture of the JBL Clip 3 waterproof bluetooth speaker, front view.

JBL Clip 3 Speaker Review, Features

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 Bluetooth Speaker Review

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.

Picture of an Amazon Echo Dot 2 with a Clip 3.
Amazon Echo Dot 2 with a Clip 3.

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 Bluetooth Speaker 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.

The JBL Clip 3 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.

Picture of the clip held open.
Showing the clip held open.

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.

Picture of the JBL Clip 3 portable speaker package, unpacked, showing its contents. JBL Clip 3 waterproof Bluetooth speaker review specs features.
The JBL Clip 3 portable speaker package, unpacked, showing its contents.

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.

Picture of the back of the speaker.
Back view of the speaker.

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.

Picture of the power and Bluetooth discovery mode buttons.
The power and Bluetooth discovery mode buttons.

We find the other three buttons on the speaker front grill, near the top, as shown next.

Picture of the Play-Pause and Volume buttons.
Te Play-Pause and Volume buttons.

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.

Picture of the dark status lamp highlighted.
Showing dark status lamp highlighted.

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.

Picture of the JBL Clip 3, top view, showing status lamp glowing white.
The JBL Clip 3, top view, showing status lamp glowing 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.

Picture of the status lamp glowing red.
The status lamp glowing red.

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.

Picture of the JBL Clip 3, bottom view, with USB charge cable plugged in.
The JBL Clip 3, bottom view, with USB charge cable plugged in.

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.

Picture of the included USB charge cable in bag.
The included USB charge cable in bag.

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.

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.

Picture of the JBL Clip 3 package, front view.
The JBL Clip 3 package, front view.

JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth Speaker 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.

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 Bluetooth 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

  1. JBL Clip 3 Charging Instructions, Step by Step
  2. How to Pair JBL Clip 3 with Google Home Speakers
  3. JBL Clip 3 Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker Picture Gallery
  4. How to Adjust Volume on JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth Speaker
  5. How to Change JBL Clip 3 Name, Someday Perhaps

Related Posts to JBL Clip 3 Speaker Review

  1. JBL Flip 3 Review of this Portable Bluetooth Speaker
  2. Review of JBL Flip 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Specs, Features
  3. JBL Charge 3 Power Bank Bluetooth Speaker Review, Features, Specs
  4. Flip 4 Review of this Portable JBL Waterproof Speaker

References for JBL Clip 3 Speaker Review

  1. JBL Clip 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker Official Product Page, on JBL.com

Revision History

  • 2020-04-20: Added tags.
  • 2019-04-06: Tweaked the targeting.
  • 2019-02-28: Updated for 2019. Added a couple tags. Shortened title and key phrase.
  • 2018-07-31: First published.