16 Verified Hands-On Reviews
To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.
Expert reviews [16]
- with a score: 9
- without a score: 7
| Highest score by What Hi-Fi |
100
|
| Average score based on 16 reviews |
84
|
| Lowest score by Rtings.com |
67
|
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
- IP67 rating for water and dust resistance
- Loud output and stable connection
- Ability to charge other devices
- Long battery life
- Handles intimate listening experiences well
- Bulky and heavy for a portable speaker
- Textured bottom may not be as stable as clear feet
- Bumpers collect scuffs and marks quickly
- Only supports SBC Bluetooth codec
- No microphone for phone calls
Expert consensus
The JBL Extreme 3 is a durable and powerful portable Bluetooth speaker with excellent bass control, water-resistant and dustproof features, a 15-hour battery life, and a built-in power bank and carrying strap with a bottle opener.
The JBL Extreme 3 is a powerful and durable portable Bluetooth speaker that is ideal for outdoor activities such as camping, picnics, and beach trips. It has a powerful JBL Original Pro Sound with excellent bass control and evenness of tone, making it perfect for electronic music and bass-heavy genres.
The speaker is also water-resistant and dustproof with an IP67 rating, making it ideal for use in harsh environments. It has a 15-hour battery life and can be used while charging, and it also has a built-in power bank to charge other devices. The JBL Extreme 3 can connect to multiple devices simultaneously via Bluetooth 5.
1 and can also be connected to non-Bluetooth devices via an Aux input. The speaker has a carrying strap with a built-in bottle opener and can be connected to other JBL PartyBoost-enabled speakers for an even more immersive sound experience. While it is relatively large and heavy compared to some other portable speakers, the JBL Extreme 3 is a great option for those who prioritize durability, powerful sound, and unique features.
Sound quality
The JBL Extreme 3 is a powerful and rugged speaker with excellent bass control and evenness of tone, making it ideal for electronic music and outdoor use, but with a dip in the treble that adds a dull quality to the sound.
The JBL Extreme 3 is a powerful and impressive speaker that delivers excellent bass control, separation, and evenness of tone, making it ideal for electronic music and bass-heavy genres. It has decent clarity of sound, reproducing voices and lead instruments with relative clarity, but there is a dip in the treble that adds a dull quality to the sound.
The speaker can get very loud with a maximum volume output of around 90-100dB, but there can be some distortion at maximum volume on tracks with very heavy bass. The JBL Extreme 3 has two 25W woofers and two 25W tweeters, making it more powerful than its predecessor, and it is well-suited for outdoor use with its rugged build and IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
It is great for listening to podcasts, watching movies, and for outdoor, kitchen, or bathroom use. The JBL Extreme 3 also has extra features like a built-in power bank and the ability to connect to multiple devices and other JBL speakers.
Battery life
The JBL Xtreme 3 has a claimed battery life of up to 15 hours, but actual battery life may vary depending on usage, with some sources recording up to 19 hours and 38 minutes of continuous playback, and it can be used while charging.
The JBL Xtreme 3 has a claimed battery life of up to 15 hours on a single charge, but actual battery life may vary depending on usage. Some sources have measured more than 12 hours of battery life, while others have recorded up to 19 hours and 38 minutes of continuous playback. The speaker takes about 2.
5 hours to fully charge with the USB Type-C port power adapter included in the box. There is no specific information available on power-saving features of the JBL Xtreme 3, but it has a built-in 36. 3Wh high-capacity lithium battery and comes with an external power supply included. The battery life of the speaker depends on the volume levels set, with real-world use at 80% volume good for around 8 to nine hours of playback time.
The JBL Xtreme 3 can be used while charging, allowing users to listen to music and charge another device at the same time.
Portability
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a portable speaker with a shoulder strap and metal loops for easy transport, but may not be the best option for long distances.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a portable speaker that comes with a long shoulder strap and two metal loops for easy transport. It weighs 4. 34 pounds and measures 13. 4 x 29. 8 x 13. 6 inches, making it a bit hefty to carry around for long distances. However, the convenient carrying strap with rubber grips makes it easy to move around.
The speaker is portable in the way a folding chair or bags of groceries are portable, so it may not be the best option if you plan on carrying it for long distances. The newly redesigned grip on the underside of the speaker also makes it stay stable on a flat surface. Overall, the JBL Xtreme 3 is a good option for those who want a portable speaker for outdoor activities, picnics, or small gatherings.
Durability
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a rugged and durable speaker that is perfect for outdoor use, with a tough nylon webbing, rubber housing, and IP67 rating for water and dust resistance.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a highly durable and reliable speaker that is designed to withstand exposure to the elements and rough handling. It is covered in a tough nylon webbing and durable fabric that can withstand bumps and scrapes, and has a rugged rubber housing that prevents damage from drops.
The speaker is also IP67-rated, making it dust-proof and water-resistant, and it can survive being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. The JBL Xtreme 3 is perfect for outdoor use and is designed with built-in hooks and a non-slip shoulder strap for easy portability. It is recommended to keep the speaker away from extreme conditions, clean it regularly, and charge it to ensure its battery life.
Overall, the JBL Xtreme 3 is a durable and reliable speaker that is ideal for outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, and beach trips.
Connectivity
The JBL Extreme 3 is a portable speaker with a Bluetooth range of up to 30 meters, the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously, and an Aux input for non-Bluetooth devices, making it ideal for outdoor gatherings and events.
The JBL Extreme 3 has a Bluetooth range of up to 30 meters and can connect to two devices simultaneously via Bluetooth 5. 1. It does not have Wi-Fi connectivity or support for voice assistant integration. The product is easy to set up with wireless Bluetooth pairing to your phone and little to no delays.
It is ideal for outdoor gatherings, parties, and events where multiple people can control the music. The JBL Xtreme 3 can also be connected to an Aux input for non-Bluetooth devices. Overall, the JBL Extreme 3 is a great portable speaker for those who prioritize Bluetooth connectivity and the ability to connect to multiple devices.
Additional features
The JBL Extreme 3 is a waterproof and dustproof portable Bluetooth speaker with powerful sound, a built-in power bank, and a carrying strap with a built-in bottle opener, making it a great choice for outdoor activities.
The JBL Extreme 3 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that is designed for outdoor use and is waterproof and dustproof with an IP67 rating. It has a powerful JBL Original Pro Sound with four drivers and two JBL Bass Radiators, providing an immersive sound experience. The speaker also has a built-in power bank to charge devices and a carrying strap that includes a built-in bottle opener.
It has a 15-hour battery life and is compatible with smartphones and tablets. The JBL PartyBoost feature allows users to connect multiple JBL PartyBoost-enabled speakers for an even more immersive sound experience. While it is relatively large and heavy compared to some other portable speakers, it is a great option for outdoor activities such as camping or hanging out at the park.
Overall, the JBL Extreme 3 is a durable and powerful portable speaker with unique features that make it a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
Position in ranking
We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all portable bluetooth speakers.
| Rank | Change | Price | Bluetooth Speaker |
TechHive
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PCMag
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SoundGuys
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WIRED
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Tom's Guide
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Popular Mechanics
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Rtings.com
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TechRadar
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What Hi-Fi
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Digital Trends
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1
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- | $167 |
Sonos Roam 2
The Sonos Roam 2 is praised for its sound quality, durability, and versatility, but criticized for its battery life, connectivity issues, and high price point, especially for those not fully invested in the Sonos ecosystem.
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2
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8
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1
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4
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2
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- | $180 |
JBL Charge 5
The JBL Charge 5 is highly praised for its improved sound quality, robust design, and long battery life, though it faces criticism for lacking an AUX port and having connectivity issues with the JBL app.
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1
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6
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1
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3
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- | $100 |
Beats Pill
The Beats Pill (2024) is praised for its portability, impressive battery life, and robust design, but criticized for sound quality issues at high volumes, lack of EQ settings, and its price point considering the features offered.
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8
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3
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13
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1
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4
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- | $130 |
JBL Flip 6
The JBL Flip 6 is a durable and powerful portable Bluetooth speaker with a long battery life, PartyBoost feature, and water and dust resistance.
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6
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3
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2
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8
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