JBL Go 3 Review: A Fine Small Speaker Ready to Transform Harsh Environments into Learning Experiences or Party Zones

JBL Go 3 Review

JBL’s Go 2 was a non-descript box of a speaker, save for the JBL logo. It looked like one of those speakers from a swag bag.

The $49.95 JBL Go 3 is a much more distinctive speaker with a silicon-reinforced fabric loop and an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating. Unlike its bigger cousin, the JBL Clip 4, owners will need to bring their own carabiner.

The petite and pocketable JBL Go 3 puts out a good deal of punch from its 3.4 x 2.7 x 1.6-inch, .46-lb package. As with many JBL speakers, their signature sound leans into the bass, but for those not listening to podcasts or books on tape, bass is probably the right direction for this diminutive dance partner.

The big give on a small speaker comes in battery size. The JBL Go 3 runs for 5 hours on a charge, so it’s not going keep the party up all night, but it will get the party started. An uncovered USB-C port allows for easy recharging. Consider one of the eco-friendly batteries from Harman company InfinityLab to keep the Go 3 topped off on the beach, in the mountains, off-roading in the desert or just studying in the dorm room.

The JBL Go 3 comes in various colors or can be customized, including colors and images. We evaluated a standard black version. The big JBL logo, the back, and a ribbed side cover good transactions for holding the Go 3 in place on most surfaces.

Unlike the JBL Clip 4 Eco that leaned into sustainability throughout its design, the Go 3 is less eco-friendly, arriving in a hard plastic box—however, there is also an Eco version of the Go 3 with the same colors as the Clip 4, which are blue, green and grey. I understand the customized and standardized product offerings, but if they can make an Eco version, then the products should all be Eco. That may mean no customization, but isn’t that worth a much more environmentally oriented trim of an Eco version? But progress is progress, and at least there is an Eco version. Perhaps next year that will be the only version.

JBL Go 3: The bottom line

The JBL Go 3 puts out plenty of audible pleasure for a small speaker. The company turned a boring little box speaker into a fun mobile accessory that provides good audio reproduction in wet or dusty venues, or even wet and dusty venues. From construction zones to downpours in the desert, this speaker will probably hold up to anything blown or splashed on it.

JBL provided the JBL Go 3 for review. Images courtesy of JBL unless otherwise noted.

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