This is the review of the comparison between two speakers from the same brand and from the same series. The comparison here is between the JBL Clip 2 and Clip 3. There is around twenty dollars difference in their price range and to know that extra twenty dollars is worth buying the product or not, go to the detailed review.

JBL Clip 2	JBL Clip 3
BUY NOW	BUY NOW
PROS	PROS
Hockey-puck-size speaker. IPX7 Waterproof. Improved battery life. Very good sound for a small speaker. Built-in controls. Built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery.	Lightweight design with a built-in carabiner. Improved battery life. Good sound quality for a given size. Long Bluetooth range.
CONS	CONS
Doesn’t handle big bass well. Lacking in the low end. Not very loud. No app.	Light on accessories. A bit more expensive than other super-portable options. No real bass response.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Detail Review:

INTRODUCTION:

JBL Clip 2

In 2015 JBL released the Clip 2, the second generation Bluetooth speaker of the Clip lineup. In 2016 JBL introduced the third generation but is this truly an upgrade for the lineup. This speaker is retailing for around fifty dollars currently on Amazon.

JBL Clip 3

The JBL Clip 3 is thought of as a no-brainer when it comes to small portable Bluetooth speakers. The JBL Clip series has built up a great reputation as a tough little speaker over the years. This speaker is retailing for around seventy dollars currently on Amazon.

DESIGN:

JBL Clip 2

Aside from the round hockey puck-shaped design, the Clip models follow there are immediately a few noticeable cosmetic changes to the Clip 2. Standing out the most is the size difference. The Clip 2 is not only carrying the hockey puck shape, it is also about the same size as a hockey puck. It comes in at a solid 184 grams and if you have average-sized hands it could be a little uncomfortable to hold. It’s made from lifestyle materials, durable fabric materials housed in a rugged rubber case to enhance its longevity.

The other standout feature is the namesake carabiner going on the plastic and in this we have a solid metal carabiner that is more resembling a snap link. This carabiner is also far more user-friendly, versatile, and has a high-quality feel. It will definitely allow you to Clip it where you want it. The control layout and operation from the previous Clip designs are continued, placing them around the edge of the device. The difference here is the positions of the control, additionally, they are slightly depressed into the casing. Unfortunately, you will find a 3.5-millimeter jack missing in this iteration, however, the micro USB port is now hidden behind a gasket to help prevent water from entering the port. A provided 3.5-millimeter cable makes a return and is placed like the other Clips along the bottom edge and bottom of your device.

JBL Clip 3

The design is simple, looking like a large hockey puck covered in a tough mesh fabric on the front. It comes in twelve different colors and patterns to show you flare or even you can even customize your designs with images and texts as well as the carabiner color for a truly unique design. You will find only three media buttons embedded into the front, they were slightly raised, rubberized icons that take insistent with the aesthetics of JBL’s other speakers. On the back, you get the rubberized plastic material that makes it easy to grip with smooth intensive buttons for power and Bluetooth on the sides. You will also find ports for micro USB charging and a 3.5-millimeter aux if you don’t want to go wireless under the waterproof flap.

FEATURES:

JBL Clip 2

The provided 3.5-millimeter jack is for use when Bluetooth is not an option. When powering the device on and off you get a nice guitar sound, once connected to a device the Clip 2 will play another guitar sound. Clip 2 runs on Bluetooth 4.2 for better and maintains connections well. The 730 milliamp battery is built-in that allegedly can last up to eight hours, though I never got to eight hours. The Clip 2 also supports a wireless daisy chain via JBL connect allowing you to connect two JBL Clip 2 to a single device at the same time.

Improvement is in the waterproofing department, the Clip 2 is IPX7 rated meaning it can handle splashes and even submersion, it can survive three feet of water for up to 30 minutes and it will even float for a few moments before it begins to sink. Overall, the Clip 2 is a solid device not a major upgrade over the other Clips with the exception of the waterproofing and alleged battery improvement. Sound is decent, clear at low volumes, and is available in five colors averaging around $60.

JBL Clip 3

Clip 3 is a sound to go, that can go just about anywhere. In fact, it’s often been referred to as wearable. It weighs around only seven ounces, not just more than most smartphones. I love that it’s small enough to fit in the back pocket of jeans. Plus with the built-in carabiner, you can hang or clip it to just about anything and anywhere. This makes it so always be with us cranking out tunes on hikes, spike rides, camping trips, or just chilling in the backyard.

Especially with up to ten hours of playtime, it’s completely waterproof with an IPX7 rating so it can completely be immersed in one meter that is three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. This makes the Clip 3 perfect to take it to the beach, poolside, etc. It’s a bit disappointing that it misses out on the JBL’s connect plus feature that lets you connect multiple JBL speakers. But it’s not definitely a deal-breaker, it’s just what if made the already versatile Clip 3 even more versatile.

One of the added features I love is the built-in noise and echo canceling speakerphone. We get to answer calls with a press of a button and not have to take our phones out and the calls were extremely clear. So when you consider Clip 3’s design for sound to go, it is a really good speaker considering the features and performance of it for the price and its size. Instead, we will find the size a big plus, it delivers a solid audio performance that is loud and clear, ultra-portable and ultra-rugged, and water-proof speaker.

SOUND QUALITY:

JBL Clip 2

The sound quality won’t improve but it will be a little louder. The sound comes from a single three-watt speaker, the speaker is definitely not an upgrade and nothing to get excited about. The bass is almost non-existent distortion is a problem at high levels, and it produces good volume levels just not as loud as others which is disappointing considering this device is slightly larger and a newer model. At low levels, sound quality is crisp and clear.

JBL Clip 3

When it comes to sound quality, I wouldn’t expect that audiophile quality but I am still surprised how loud and clear it was. It sounded quite full, it wasn’t muddy or thin like we would expect from most small Bluetooth speakers out there. Even at higher volumes, I found the audio performances holding well in this speaker, especially in the mids. 

WHICH ONE IS WORTH BUYING?

In my opinion, the JBL Clip 2 is worth buying for 50 dollars than buying the Clip 3 for seventy dollars because for a higher price there is no great upgrade in the Clip 3. The only upgrade you will find in terms of features is the extra 2 hours of battery life for extra 20 dollars.

Expert Reviews of JBL Clip 2:

By Sound Guys
Budget options don’t have to be terrible, and Clip 2 is a great example of that. Though the small size means that it has a somewhat average sound quality, it’s still more than good enough for taking it with you on your next adventure.

By Tom’s Guide
With improved sound quality, ruggedness, and battery life, the Clip 2 is the best inexpensive ultraportable speaker available now.

By PC Mag
JBL’s budget Bluetooth speaker lineup has offered consistently solid options for the past few years now, and the new $59.95 Clip 2 continues this legacy. Anyone looking for a massive bass response will…

By techaeries.com
Worth picking up if you’re looking for a small, ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker at an honestly great price.

Expert Reviews of JBL Clip 3:

By Sound Guys
While the Clip series has always been good, the much-improved battery life and the slight redesign make the Clip 3 a must-have for basically anyone. Whether you’re the outdoorsy type who goes on hikes or just want to hang this in your shower, the Clip 3…

By Expert Reviews
Save your money and buy the JBL Clip 2…

By PC Mag
The JBL Clip 3 is a compact, the waterproof speaker made for travel and sounds great for its…

By goodhousekeeping.co.uk
An inexpensive rugged speaker that’s waterproof. And it gives you plenty of listening time from one charge. It does lack a powerful bass but is great for taking on the go. Overall Score: 68/100RATINGS: Ease of use: 3/5Design: 3.5/5Performance:…

By cnet
The JBL Clip 3 is a better-sounding version of one of our favorite micro Bluetooth…