JBL recently released the Clip 4. So, how does the new version stack up against the older Clip 3?
You can find out in this comparison guide between the two portable Bluetooth speakers.
Quick Summary
When compared to the JBL Clip 3, the JBL Clip 4 uses a more up-to-date Bluetooth connection, which results in having more transmitter power and wider transmitter frequency range.
The newer version also has more powerful speaker output, wider speaker frequency response range and better signal-to-noise ratio.
Last but not least, the Clip 4 provides additional protection against dust and other small particles.
Needless to say, the JBL Clip 4 is a big upgrade over JBL Clip 3 as you will get better wireless connection, sound quality and durability.
JBL Clip 3 vs. JBL Clip 4 Comparison Chart
You can find Seeking Tech’s comparison table for the two mini portable speakers below.
| JBL Clip 3 | JBL Clip 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 220 grams (or 0.490 pound) | 239 grams (or 0.527 pound) |
| Dimensions | 137.00 mm x 97.00 mm x 46.00 mm (or 5.4" x 3.8" x 1.8") | 134.50 mm x 86.30 mm x 46.00 mm (or 5.3" x 3.4" x 1.8") |
| Color Options | Black/White Camouflage Desert Sand Dusty Pink Fiesta Red Forest Green Midnight Black Mustard Yellow Ocean Blue River Teal Squad Steel White Stone Grey | Black Blue Grey Pink Red Squad |
| What’s in the Box | 1x Clip 3 Bluetooth speaker 1x Micro USB cable 1x Quick start guide 1x Safety sheet 1x Warranty card | 1x Clip 4 Bluetooth speaker 1x Type C USB cable 1x Quick start guide 1x Safety sheet 1x Warranty card |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Profile | A2DP V1.2 AVRCP V1.5 HFP V1.5 HSP V1.2 | A2DP 1.3 AVRCP 1.6 |
| Bluetooth Transmitter Power | 0 dBm to 9 dBm | 0 dBm to 10 dBm |
| Bluetooth Transmitter Frequency Range | 2.402 MHz to 2480.0 MHz | 2.400 MHz to 2483.5 MHz |
| Bluetooth Transmitter Modulation | GFSK π/4 DQPSK 8DPSK | GFSK π/4 DQPSK 8DPSK |
| Output Power | 3.3 W RMS | 5.0 W RMS |
| Sound Transducer | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Frequency Response | 120 Hz to 20 kHz | 100 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | Less than 80 dB | Less than 85 dB |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion polymer (3.700V/1000mAh) | Lithium-ion polymer (3.885V/1000mAh) |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Recharge Time | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Dustproof and Waterproof Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Pricing | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) |
Weight
The JBL CLIP 3 weighs in at 220 grams (or 0.490 pound) while the JBL CLIP 4 is a little bit heavier at 239 grams (or 0.527 pound).
Dimensions
The two portable wireless speakers are pretty similar in size.
You can find the full measurements for both below:
- Clip 3: 137.00 mm x 97.00 mm x 46.00 mm (or 5.4″ x 3.8″ x 1.8″)
- Clip 4: 134.50 mm x 86.30 mm x 46.00 mm (or 5.3″ x 3.4″ x 1.8″)
Color Options
The older Clip speaker comes with twelve color variants while the newer version currently has six options (although more are expected to be added in the future).
You can check out the available colors for both products below:
JBL Clip 3:
- Black/White Camouflage
- Desert Sand
- Dusty Pink
- Fiesta Red
- Forest Green
- Midnight Black
- Mustard Yellow
- Ocean Blue
- River Teal
- Squad
- Steel White
- Stone Grey
JBL Clip 4:
- Black
- Blue
- Grey
- Pink
- Red
- Squad
What’s in the Box
In addition to the Bluetooth speaker, each product comes with a quick starter guide, safety sheet and warranty card. The Clip 3 comes with a Micro USB cable while the Clip 4 comes with a USB Type-C cable.
You can find a breakdown of what’s included in each box for both products below:
JBL Clip 3:
- 1x Clip 3 Bluetooth speaker
- 1x Micro USB cable
- 1x Quick start guide
- 1x Safety sheet
- 1x Warranty card
JBL Clip 4:
- 1x Clip 4 Bluetooth speaker
- 1x Type C USB cable
- 1x Quick start guide
- 1x Safety sheet
- 1x Warranty card
Bluetooth Version
The third-generation JBL Clip uses Bluetooth 4.1 for wireless connection while the fourth generation uses the more up-to-date Bluetooth 5.1.
Bluetooth Profile
You can take a look at the support Bluetooth profile for both wireless speakers in this versus guide below:
JBL Clip 3:
- A2DP V1.2
- AVRCP V1.5
- HFP V1.5
- HSP V1.2
JBL Clip 4:
- A2DP 1.3
- AVRCP 1.6
Bluetooth Transmitter Power
The 4th Gen JBL Clip has a higher maximum Bluetooth transmitter power when compared to the previous 3rd Gen version.
You can find the specifications below:
- Clip 3: 0 dBm to 9 dBm
- Clip 4: 0 dBm to 10 dBm
Bluetooth Transmitter Frequency Range
The newer model also has a wider Bluetooth transmitter frequency range than the older release.
You can find the ranges below:
- Clip 3: 2.402 MHz to 2480.0 MHz
- Clip 4: 2.400 MHz to 2483.5 MHz
Bluetooth Transmitter Modulation
Both products use the following Bluetooth transmitter modulation:
- GFSK
- π/4 DQPSK
- 8DPSK
Output Power
The JBL Clip 3 has a speaker output power of 3.3 W RMS while the JBL Clip 4 can produce a more powerful 5.0 W RMS.
Sound Transducer
The two speakers have the same sound transducer size of 40 mm.
Frequency Response
The fourth generation Clip is capable of producing a lower frequency response range than the third-generation. As a result, the new model can output more accurate lower bass sounds.
You can find the frequency response ranges below:
- Clip 3: 120 Hz to 20 kHz
- Clip 4: 100 Hz to 20 kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (also known as SNR and S/N) is a comparison between the power of a signal in relations to the level of unwanted noise that accompanies that signal.
The JBL Clip 3 has a Signal-to-Noise Ratio of less than 80 dB while the JBL Clip 4 has a ratio of less than 85 dB.
As a result, the fourth-generation speaker can provide better sound quality than the older version.
Battery Type
The JBL Clip 4 has a higher internal battery capacity than the JBL Clip 3.
You can find the specs for both batteries below:
- Clip 3: Lithium-ion polymer (3.700V/1000mAh)
- Clip 4: Lithium-ion polymer (3.885V/1000mAh)
Battery Life
When it comes to the battery life, both portable speakers can last up to 10 hours.
The actual playtime could vary based on the volume level as well as the audio content being played.
Recharge Time
Both batteries should take around 3 hours to recharge.
Dustproof and Waterproof Rating
The JBL Clip 3 has an IP rating of IPX7, which means that it can be submerged at up 1 meter underwater for up to 30 minutes. The speaker provides no protection against dust or other small particles.
The JBL Clip 4 has an IP67 as it can also be submerged underwater at a depth of up to 1 meter for a maximum of a half an hour. The newer model also provides full protection against dust and other small particles.
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