New Soundcore Boom Go 3i (2026) for $80 — Twice as Powerful as the JBL Clip 5 Competitor

Soundcore released the Boom Go 3i, a compact speaker priced at $80. That matches the $80 price tag of the JBL Clip 5, which has dominated this category for two years. The Boom Go 3i packs twice the power, an IP68 rating instead of IP67, Bluetooth 6.0, and a built-in power bank. The specs look very interesting on paper. I am finding out what is cool about this new mini speaker.

• Power: 15 W vs 7 W on the Clip 5 — twice the power for the same price
• Protection: IP68 vs IP67 — both are dust-tight, but IP68 withstands deeper submersion
• Bluetooth: 6.0 vs 5.3 — both feature Auracast
• Battery: 24 h vs 12 h (15 h with Playtime Boost) — twice as long out of the box
• Power bank: charges your phone via USB-C (the Clip 5 lacks this)
• RGB: 14 lighting modes (the Clip 5 has none)
• Drop test: 1 m drop resistance (not specified for the Clip 5)

Sound. 15 W with BassUp 2.0 — peak volume of 92 dB, compared to 7 W on the JBL Clip 5. Double the power is usually noticeable, especially outdoors. The Boom Go 3i looks more convincing on paper. However, watts do not equal sound quality. Real-world tests often alter the situation completely. Our test will show how it performs in practice.

Protection. IP68 and IP67 — both are fully dustproof (the number 6). The only difference is water: IP67 means immersion up to 1 m for 30 min, while IP68 goes deeper and longer. In practice, both will survive a shower or rain. But the Boom Go 3i comes with a 1-meter drop test rating — the Clip 5 makes no such claim. Though based on my personal test, the Clip 5 is indestructible.

Bluetooth. Both support Auracast, a broadcast standard where one speaker transmits audio and others pick it up. The difference lies in the version: the Boom Go 3i uses BT 6.0, while the Clip 5 uses BT 5.3. The sixth version is more energy-efficient and stable over distance. The Boom Go 3i also functions as a Bluetooth voice amplifier, which is handy for picnics.

Battery. 24 hours with BassUp vs 12 hours on the Clip 5 (15 h with Playtime Boost, which cuts the bass). In Eco Mode, the Boom Go 3i plays for up to 40 hours. Plus, you get a USB-C power bank (4800 mAh) to charge your phone. The Clip 5 has no power bank function.

Clip 5. But JBL has its own advantages. The carabiner is built-in and clips to a backpack with one hand. The Boom Go 3i is heavier at 380 g vs 290 g for the Clip 5. Most importantly, JBL performs well on sound. The Clip 5 has been proven by two years of reviews, whereas the Boom Go 3i is an unproven newcomer that I will definitely test thoroughly. And of course, watts do not equal quality, and spec-sheet watts do not match real-world watts, as there is a lot of marketing fluff around portable audio.

RGB. 14 lighting modes: 6 react to music, and 8 are ambient. Features a 92 dB emergency alarm. The Clip 5 has zero lighting.

Clip 5 or Boom Go 3i — which would you choose? Let us know in the comments

On paper, the Boom Go 3i beats the Clip 5 almost everywhere: it is twice as powerful, offers 9 hours more battery life, IP68, a power bank, and RGB. The Clip 5 is 90 g lighter and time-tested. For $80, Soundcore offers more on paper, but our review will show how it actually sounds.

Source: soundcore.com