The JBL Go 3 is one of the manufacturer’s smallest and most affordable Bluetooth speakers. It is said to be suitable for outdoor use, offer a battery life of up to five hours and be water and dust resistant.
But does the Bluetooth speaker deliver what it promises? I did the test.
After unpacking, the first impression is positive: thanks to the thick fabric and rubber material, the small box feels absolutely high-quality.
There are three buttons on the top for volume down, volume up and play-pause. On the right-hand side, there are two buttons for power and the Bluetooth connection, while on the opposite side is the USB-C charging port and a loop for attaching the speaker to a rucksack, for example.
JBL Go 3 vibrates in the test
The bottom and back are rubberized and ensure a secure and firm stand. However, this also caused problems in my test: If you place the JBL Go 3 on the wide back at higher volumes, the speaker vibrates so much that it slowly moves across the surface.
If you are not careful, it can quickly fall down. If you place it on the narrow underside, both the sound and the stability are better.
Battery life up to 5 hours
According to the manufacturer, the battery is supposed to last up to five hours. I tested this and actually achieved a runtime of 04:40 hours at a low volume. At higher volumes, the battery life is reduced accordingly.
The speaker is quickly recharged via the USB-C port. Unfortunately, like some other JBL speakers, the Go 3 cannot be used as a power bank.
Sound of the JBL Go 3 in the test
I tested the JBL Go 3 with various songs from the techno, pop, rock and classical genres using the Spotify speaker test playlist, which offers specially selected tracks for testing.
Of course, good sound is always subjective and must be judged by the size of a speaker: The larger and the more volume, the louder and more powerful the sound usually is.
During the test, I was surprised by the good sound and the relatively high volume.
Perfect for some music on the beach, in the park, on the balcony or in the kitchen – but not suitable for parties with lots of people and higher volumes. You should at least go for the Flip from JBL, perhaps even the Xtreme or Charge. The latter is now even available with WiFi.
JBL Go 3 waterproof?
Like many of the newer Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Go 3 should also be well protected against water and dust.
It has the official IP67 classification, which not only means that the device is dustproof but also that it can survive for a maximum of 30 minutes in a maximum of one meter of water.
I tested this and bathed the speaker in water for over an hour. Mind you, while the music continued to play.
I then noticed some moisture on the membranes, but the electronics are insulated from it and therefore part of the concept.
The function was perfect after the water bath and the sound has not changed.
Active and passive diaphragm
A look inside the JBL Go 3 reveals two cones, one round and one oval. Interestingly, according to the JBL homepage, there is no passive radiator in this speaker, but this information is apparently incorrect: the round membrane is a broadband speaker, i.e. for high, medium and low tones.
The oval membrane is passive – it only resonates and does not function as an active speaker itself. Passive radiators are usually used to boost the bass, which in this case works well.
Extreme test: Car vs speaker
However, I wanted to go one step further in our test and try out how stable the box really is.
That’s why I drove over the pits with a car weighing almost two tons, the result can be seen in this video on TikTok.
So much in advance: One of the side covers came loose slightly, but it was quickly reattached. Apart from that, there was no damage and the function was not impaired.
My conclusion after the extensive test of the JBL Go 3 is: If you are looking for a small and stable Bluetooth speaker with good sound, you will definitely have a lot of fun with this speaker.
Compared to some no-name products, the workmanship is very high quality and solid. JBL speakers are generally extremely durable and virtually indestructible. Definitely a good investment for the little money.
Questions and answers
Is the JBL Go 3 good?
Yes, the small Bluetooth speaker is really good for the size and price, very stable and perfect for medium volumes. The Anker Soundcore 2 and 3 are slightly larger and also recommended.
Is the JBL Go 3 loud?
Volume is always subjective, which is why I like to work with examples: For small groups in the park, outdoor pool or on the balcony, the volume is perfect.
When it comes to providing sound for larger groups at parties, the Go 3 quickly reaches its limits. It then lacks volume and bass.
How long does the JBL Go 3 last?
The battery life is specified by the manufacturer as up to five hours. This battery life was just about achieved in my test.
In general, the battery life depends heavily on the volume and the ambient temperature: the quieter and the warmer, the longer the battery will last.
In which colors is the JBL Go 3 available?
A big advantage of the JBL Bluetooth speakers are the many colors. The Go 3 is currently available in black, blue, blue-pink, camouflage, green, red, pink and white.
Is the JBL Go 3 waterproof?
Yes, according to the manufacturer, the speaker is IP67 certified and can therefore remain in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
How much does the JBL Go 3 weigh?
The Bluetooth speaker weighs just 200 grams and is therefore hardly noticeable in a rucksack or even a handbag.
Lars Grudzinski has been working as a sound and lighting technician since the 90s, was a DJ for electronic music, has a large collection of vintage speakers, and has been working for various radio stations in Germany for 20 years. At home, he enjoys high-quality home theater products such as soundbars and projectors and has installed an extensive Sonos system in his own home.