If you don’t want to be without your favorite music, podcast or audio book on the go, a Bluetooth speaker is a good choice. Many of the small boxes for on the go are compact, but do not fit in your pocket. Not so the JBL Go 3. The small one is only 8.7 inches long, 7.5 inches wide and 4.1 inches thick.
Amazon currently offers 29 percent off to the green version of the Go 3, which costs only 31.99 euros. Many other color variants are also reduced, but not as cheap as the green version. In black, for example, the Go 3 costs at Amazon 34.90 euros*.
JBL Go 3: pocket-sized waterproof Bluetooth box
The great strength of the JBL Go 3 is its robust design according to protection class IP67, making it the perfect companion in the pool, at the swimming lake or on the beach. The IP67 certification means the Go 3 can withstand up to a meter of water for up to 30 minutes – as long as it’s fresh water. In addition, the Bluetooth box is dustproof. So no sand penetrates into the houses on the beach.
Externally, the Go 3 makes a high-quality impression and has the typical JBL design. The small loop is ideal for attaching the speaker to a backpack or belt with a carabiner. The variety of colors leaves a lot of room for personal preferences. The Go 3 is currently available in eight different colors on Amazon.
For its compact size, the JBL Go 3 delivers surprisingly good sound with plenty of bass At least that’s what the magazine says Hifi.de at the trial. However, as expected, the Bluetooth speaker quickly reaches its limits in terms of volume. The neighbors at the pool or on the beach will certainly appreciate that.
Weak battery performance as the only drawback
However, the JBL Go 3 has one catch: The battery only lasts about five hours. These are not good conditions for a whole day at the beach or in the pool. The small speaker certainly has enough power for an afternoon on the road. Of course, the box can also be charged in between with a USB-C cable.
And so the conclusion of Hifi.de is positive: With the exception of the small battery, “the JBL Go 3 is still an unbeatable Bluetooth speaker, especially in terms of price-performance ratio in terms of sound and outdoor possibilities.”
The alternative to the JBL Go 3 comes from Sony
If you prefer a small Bluetooth speaker with a big battery, the Sony SRS-XB13 is a good alternative to the JBL Go 3. The black version of the Sony is currently available from Amazon 39.98 euros*.
Whole 16 hours the battery of the Sony SRS-XB13 will last with normal use. That is certainly enough for a long day on the road. Just like the JBL Go 3, the Sony is also IP67 certified. In terms of sound, the two speakers hardly differ, but the Go 3 has just a little more bass.
In return, the Sony scores with a microphone that can also be used to make calls. However, the XB13 does not fit in your pocket due to its slightly larger dimensions. But here too, Sony has contributed ideas and donated a carrying strap to the Bluetooth box.