#pocketable speaker

JBL upgraded a few of their products this year, and we’ve taken a look at almost all of them. We saw the Flip 3, Charge 3, and now we’re taking a look at their little brother. The JBL Clip 2. This is the updated version of the Clip+ which was on a ton of best speakers under $50 lists, including ours. The Clip 2 has a new design, new build materials, and is also $10 more expensive. So is it worth it? In short: Yes.

What’s inside

Usually when unboxing a speaker we pull everything out so you can get a good look at each accessory. But we don’t really need to with the JBL Clip 2. Sure, it does come with some warranty information and an instruction booklet, but the accessories that matter (the carabiner clip and 3.5mm audio cable) are built right into the speaker.

Waterproof

It’s a really great little speaker and fills a hole in the market. A lot of people will take a portable Bluetooth speaker and leave it somewhere whilst they shower. This could prove dangerous as most speakers wont be able to handle the moisture in a bathroom, let alone actually water splashing all over it.

The reason why we tried bringing it into the shower is that it’s IPX7 waterproofed meaning it can withstand water submersion for up to 1 meter. Not that it’s useful when underwater but any liquids around should not pose a threat. The housing is also now a smooth rubberized plastic, with five dimples for each of the buttons.

Battery Life

Battery life is probably the single most important upgrade in my opinion. With most speakers this size a 5 or 6 hour battery life is considered fairly average, but JBL claims the new Clip 2 will get you a solid 8 hours of constant playback. It’s not going to blow your mind, but that’s a big deal considering the previous version topped out at only 5 hours. That extra bump in battery makes this speaker way easier to recommend now, since it’s actually usable for a good portion of the day. Still, don’t expect to get much more than 4 or 5 hours if you’re playing it on max volume. An issue I’ve been realizing is becoming annoyingly persistent.

Sound and Call Quality

When it comes to sound quality, the Clip 2 delivers its JBL brand. It’s loud and ideal for most music genres but leaning on pop and electronic. We tested it paired with a OnePlus 3T and Spotify in normal quality setting.

We started with “Toxic”, a Britney Spears classic, since pop music is something JBL is known for. We enjoyed the song with a good amount of bass for its size. At max volume, there’s noticeable vibration but nothing major. Next, we have “I Will Wait” sang by Mumford & Sons which is of neo-folk and rock genre. Vocals are clear as well as the strums although, again, at max volume, there’s the strong vibration of the lows. Lastly, we have “A Beautiful Mess” of Jason Mraz to test it out with acoustic songs and it’s not much different from the first two we tested.

After multiple playbacks, we were able to pinpoint the weakness of the JBL Clip 2 and it’s the bass. For its size, honestly, it’s understanduniable. It’s just that in 100% volume, it produces minor distortion. One thing’s for sure though, this pocketable speaker can go really loud to fill a big room.

Conclusion

In the end, JBL Clip 2 is a worthy successor. With the improved design and waterproofing alone, it’s already more attractive than the first gen. Although, the bass, like before, is still wanting due to the small driver and lack of dedicated woofer. For its size, we can’t expect so much.

Any of our winning options are quality speakers that will serve you well, but selecting the perfect one is about your preferences and ideal price point.Want more recommendations for the best Bluetooth speaker ? Check out our guides to the DinDinModern.

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