JBL makes some of the best portable Bluetooth speakers around. And two of their most popular micro-sized speaker models are the JBL Clip 3 and the newer JBL Clip 4. These ultra-compact speakers pack impressive audio performance into a tiny package no bigger than a few smartphones stacked together.
In this guide, we‘ll compare the JBL Clip 4 vs Clip 3 across a variety of categories – from design and sound to features and price. You‘ll see how they stack up across over a dozen data points. By the end, you‘ll know exactly how these wireless speakers differ and which is better for your needs.
Brief Background on JBL and the Clip Series
JBL is an American audio equipment company dating back to 1946 when founder James Bullough Lansing started it. Now owned by Harman Kardon, JBL makes everything from headphones to home theater systems. But they are perhaps best known for their portable Bluetooth speakers which deliver surprisingly big, bold sound in small packages.
The JBL Clip line launched in 2013 with the original Clip. Since then we‘ve seen the Clip 2 in 2016, Clip 3 in 2018, and most recently the JBL Clip 4 in 2020. With every new iteration, JBL makes improvements to the design, sound performance, features, and battery life. Let‘s see exactly what changed from the Clip 3 to Clip 4.
Design & Build Quality
The JBL Clip 3 and Clip 4 share the same basic premise – a tiny rectangular prism speaker with controls up top and a carabiner style clip on the back to attach to bags and gear. But the industrial design saw noticeable refinements in the newer Clip 4 model.
Dimensions & Weight: The Clip 4 shaved off a little bit of size, now measuring 3.7 x 5.3 x 2.3 inches compared to the Clip 3 at 5.3 x 3.6 x 1.7 inches. It‘s also very slightly heavier at 0.53 lbs vs 0.5 lbs.
Materials: Both models use a combination of durable fabric cover material and rugged rubber. The movable joints feel solid with no creaking plastic. Buttons have crisp feedback as well.
Colors: JBL offered the Clip 3 in a wide variety of colors – up to 12 different ones. The Clip 4 in contrast only comes in 5 color options as of now.
Water & Dust Resistance: The IP rating improved to IP67 on the Clip 4 while the Clip 3 was IPX7 rated. So the newer speaker adds dust protection and is even more watertight.
Carabiner Clip: One obvious change is the redesigned integrated carabiner clip on the back. It‘s larger and feels more heavy duty on the JBL Clip 4 vs the more basic clip on the Clip 3.
Hardware Controls: Both models include playback and volume buttons plus power and pairing buttons. The Clip 4 has redesigned buttons with a cleaner look and crisp feedback.
Overall the Clip 4 refined a proven formula. The materials, controls, and integrated carabiner clip all feel higher end now without compromising the cool mini backpack speaker aesthetic.
Winner: JBL Clip 4
Sound Quality
Given their diminutive size, you wouldn’t expect either of these speakers to sound particularly impressive. But thanks to JBL’s audio engineering expertise, they both pump out surprisingly big, crisp sound. Here’s how their speakers and performance specs compare:
Speaker Drivers: The driver hardware doesn‘t appear to have changed from the Clip 3 to Clip 4. Both utilize a 40mm driver plus front-firing passive radiators for bass.
Power Output: JBL rates the Clip 4 as having slightly higher 5W power output vs the 3W rating of the Clip 3. In practice though, both can play very loud for their size when cranked up fully.
Frequency Response: Another small performance boost comes in the frequency response figures – 100Hz to 20kHz on the Clip 4 and 120Hz to 20kHz on the older Clip 3.
Sound Profile: Overall sound quality is great on both models, albeit with the typical limitations of small mono drivers. The Clip 4 perhaps sounds very slightly richer, but quality is comparable. Bass is present but unsurprisingly lacks real thump. Mids and highs are crisp without distortion even at higher volumes. Some users may find the latest model plays just a bit louder as well thanks to the bump up to 5W power. But overall the differences are quite subtle.
For Bluetooth speakers you can hang off a backpack, the JBL Clip 3 and Clip 4 both excel. Unless you critically listen and compare them side by side, most users would be very happy with either speaker. The newer model has some minor audio spec improvements that likely contribute to a little louder, clearer performance. But expect very similar overall sound quality that defies their tiny statures.
Winner: JBL Clip 4
Features & Connectivity
Beyond aesthetics and audio performance, there are some meaningful features and connectivity spec differences between the JBL Clip speakers we should highlight:
Bluetooth Version: The Clip 4 updated to Bluetooth 5.1 vs the older 4.1 version in the Clip 3 released back in 2018. So expect improved wireless range and connection stability with the latest model.
Battery Life: Impressively JBL managed to preserve the same 10 hour max battery life rating when going from the Clip 3 to 4. Real world figures may actually exceed 10 hours at moderate volume depending on your usage. Quick charging support lets you get 1 hour of playtime from a 10 minute charge too.
USB Port: Along with quicker Bluetooth 5.1, the Clip 4 gains a USB-C port for charging instead of micro USB on the Clip 3. USB-C has wider device compatibility and supports faster charging.
3.5mm Port: One feature missing now on the Clip 4 is the handy 3.5mm auxiliary input. So the JBL Clip 3 allows wired audio playback which the Clip 4 lacks.
Speakerphone: Another subtraction comes in the form of no longer supporting the integrated speakerphone function via external mics previously built into Clip 3. So you can no longer take calls via the Clip 4.
The Clip 4 probably should have retained wired audio and speakerphone support. But the improvements like Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C charging, and equal battery life make its feature set a bit more modern and versatile overall. Losing some connectivity won‘t be dealbreakers for most users.
Winner: JBL Clip 4
Pricing & Availability
As you might expect given it‘s 2 years newer, the JBL Clip 4 commands closer to full retail pricing in the $50 to $60 range. The Clip 3 in contrast sees deeper discounts as existing stock sells through following its discontinuation. So you can now find it for $35 to $45 from various retailers.
That means you‘ll pay around a 20% lower price for the older Clip 3 model. However exact prices fluctuate frequently. And you‘re more likely to have issues finding specific colors for the Clip 3 as they sell out. JBL is producing plenty of Clip 4 inventory though in the full range of color options as of this writing.
Just don‘t expect huge savings by going with previous generation tech here. While sometimes discounted as low as $30, decent deals on renewed Clip 3 stock put pricing close enough to the newer model. Unless you find a clearance sale below $35 or so, the Clip 4 likely makes more sense for most buyers despite costing a little more.
Winner: Tie
Conclusion & Recommendation
So circling back to the core question – how does the JBL Clip 4 compare to the Clip 3 and which Bluetooth speaker reigns supreme?
Both portable speakers continue the Clip series‘ impressive combination of tiny yet mighty audio performance. And they share premium quality designs highlighted by the always handy integrated carabiner.
But drill down into the details and you‘ll notice refinements made across the board with each generation. The Clip 4 stands out with its redesigned style, improved dust and water protection, modern USB-C charging, better Bluetooth connectivity, and minor boosts to power and frequency response.
While some users will miss the 3.5mm port and speakerphone functions no longer included on the Clip 4, we don‘t expect that to be dealbreakers for most buyers. Features, sound, and design all got bumped up just enough to make the latest model clearly superior overall for not much more money.
As a result, the JBL Clip 4 emerges as the new champ in this comparison. It retains everything most listeners loved about the preceding Clip 3 but enhanced in just the right ways to feel meaningfully improved as an ultraportable wireless speaker. Unless you find a great closeout deal, spending up for the Clip 4 is an easy call. JBL continues upholding and advancing the standard for compact design paired with surprisingly big sound.
