JBL’s larger Bluetooth speakers typically bring the bass and pump out high volume levels. Another thing the company is particularly good at is building tiny speakers that are easily portable and can get relatively loud (and tossed around) without any real issues. The $59.95 Clip 3 continues where previous Clips left off, in that regard—if there’s any real complaint here, it’s that sonically, nothing seems to have advanced all that much since the Clip 2. But below $60, you’re simply not going to find much bass depth, and there’s plenty of bass vibration here to make it feel like there’s some low-end. For the size and price, the Clip 3 is a reliable summer sidekick that can latch onto a variety of surfaces and pump out solid audio performance.

Design
Measuring 5.4 by 3.8 by 1.8 inches (HWD), the 7.4-ounce Clip 3 is available in a wide range of colors—eleven hues, including standard black or white, along with flashier options like camo, teal, or mustard yellow. The built-in carabiner on the top panel will clip on to a wide variety of objects, or the speaker can lie flat on its back and project audio upward. The Clip 3’s IPX7 rating means it can be immersed up to one meter of water without issue, making it ideal for poolside lounging or rainy day excursions.

The Clip 3’s front grille has the JBL logo at the bottom and three buttons up top. There’s a central button that controls playback, call management, voice assistance, and, with multiple taps, track navigation, while plus/minus buttons handle volume. Beneath the front panel’s grille, there’s a 3-watt, 40mm driver pushing out mono audio. Along the outside panel, there’s a covered compartment that houses the micro USB charging port and a 3.5mm aux input. The side panels also house the power button, the pairing button, and the built-in microphone for taking calls and using voice assistance. A rubberized base on the bottom panel keeps the speaker from scooting around due to bass vibrations.
The built-in mic offers mediocre intelligibility. Using the Voice Memos app on an iPhone 6s, we could understand every word we recorded, but the recording was fuzzy with the distortion typical of inexpensive Bluetooth mics. This is par for the course, and the speakerphone works well enough to field calls when needed, just not with superb clarity.
JBL includes almost nothing other than the speaker. There’s no audio cable for the aux input, and the included orange micro USB charging cable is annoyingly short. But at this price there’s not much room for complaint in the accessories department.
Battery life is estimated to be roughly 10 hours, but your results will vary with your volume levels and your mix of wired and wireless playback.

Performance
On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the Clip 3 has a little trouble with the opening bass rumble, teetering on the edge of distortion. When the deeper bass comes in, the Clip 3’s DSP (digital signal processing) reduces it to a thin tapping. If you’re looking for a mega bass sound, you need to be spending more money on a larger speaker. The Clip 3 sounds full and crisp on this track at moderate volumes, and that’s about all we can ask of a speaker this small.

Features
Bring the party poolside, to the beach, or wherever you go this summer with the Midnight Black colored Clip 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. At 5.4 inches, this compact Bluetooth speaker streams music from your phone or tablet and even features noise-cancelling speakerphone technology to allow for clear phone calls. This speaker is water-resistant and able to withstand being submerged in up to 3.3 feet of water for 30 minutes thanks to its IPX7 rating. This portable speaker is designed with a built-in carabiner clip, so you can easily attach this speaker to your backpack, belt loop, and more. On a full charge, the JBL Clip 3 gives you up to 10 hours of playback, but if you use the included micro-USB cable you can recharge the speaker, so the music never has to stop.

More Ways to Connect
Don’t worry if Bluetooth is not available, plug an audio cable into the JBL Clip 3 and enjoy your music all the same.
Clip it Anywhere
The fully integrated metal carabiner is designed to protect the speaker from damage and allows you to easily hook the speaker onto your backpack or belt loop.
Made for Your Adventures
The JBL Clip 3 features an improved, durable fabric material and rugged rubber housing that protects your speaker on all your adventures.
LED Indicators
The LED indicators inform you when the speaker is low on power, charging, in pairing mode, or receiving an incoming call. It also notifies you when the speaker is not connected via Bluetooth or if you are taking a phone call.

Highlights
Bluetooth Wireless Streaming
IPX7 Rated
Waterproof in up to 3.3′ of Water
Can Double as a Speakerphone
Noise-Canceling Microphone
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Polymer Battery
Built-In Carabiner Clip
LED Indicators
Up to 10 Hours of Battery Life