Xiaomi vs JBL Speakers 2024 | Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 vs JBL Go 3
When it comes to choosing the perfect speaker for your audio needs, the market is flooded with options, and two brands that often come up in the conversation are Xiaomi and JBL.
Each brand has its own set of loyal followers and unique selling points, but how do they really stack up against each other?
The comparison of Xiaomi vs JBL speakers is not just about sound quality; it's a deeper dive into design, features, performance, and value for money. Whether you're a music aficionado, a podcast enthusiast, or someone who loves hosting gatherings with great tunes, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these two audio giants is crucial.
To help you make an informed decision, here's our comprehensive comparison, breaking down everything from bass performance to battery life, so you can choose the speaker that best fits your lifestyle.
Also Read: Best Xiaomi Speakers 2024 | Xiaomi Bluetooth Speakers Review
Xiaomi vs JBL Speakers
Check out the best Xiaomi speaker on Aliexpress
Check out the best JBL speakers on Aliexpress
Design
Design is probably where you'll find both speakers to be vastly different. One is cylindrical while the other is a rounded-off cuboid. And the design of these products might be the ultimate reason you are going to pick one over the other.
The shape and the size and weights are different between the two, even though both are portable Bluetooth speakers. Both are aimed to offer a decent sound experience for people who are always on the move yet the Mi Compact Speaker 2 is smaller and lighter than the JBL Go 3.
The Mi Compact Speaker 2 is a tiny matte white cylinder with a parametric mesh on the top for sound output. It is a simple and elegant design that is easy on the eyes and can fit well in any surrounding. The speaker has its power button along with two holes through which you can run the wrist strap. There is a micro USB charging port on the side of the device. Overall, I like the design of the Mi Compact Speaker 2, as it is extremely compact, simple, and minimalistic. I only fear the quality of the build.
The JBL Go 3 is the opposite of the Mi Compact Speaker 2. It comes in a cuboidal shape and has a colorful and fabric-covered design with hints of rubber. The JBL Go 3 also comes in 6 different colors as opposed to the one from Xiaomi. The JBL Go 3, while not exactly minimalistic, still looks very good, the two-tone color finish and the feel of the speaker are so much better than the Mi Compact Speaker 2. It also feels like it can take a lot of beating, thanks to the fabric and rubber build. The strap attached is of high quality and is not going to come off easily. The speaker is also larger and heavier than the Mi Compact Speaker 2.
I love the design of the JBL Go 3 and prefer it over the Mi Compact Speaker 2. But the small size and lightweight design of the Mi Compact Speaker 2 will appeal to many. The design and build quality of the JBL Go 3 is superior, but the Mi Compact Speaker 2 is more convenient.
Specifications
| Specifications | Xiaomi Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 | JBL Go 3 |
| Official price | $19.99 | $39.95 |
| Dimensions | 50 x 50 x 32 mm | 88 x 75 x 41mm |
| Wattage | 2 Watts RMS | 4.2 Watts RMS |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| Auxiliary connection | No | Yes |
| Protection | – | IP67 |
| Battery | 480 mAh | 730 mAh |
| Battery Life | 6 hours | 5 hours |
| Weight | 54 grams | 210 grams |
The JBL Go 3 wins when you just compare the specs against the Mi Compact Speaker 2. But specs always do not correlate with the experience, so read on to know more about both speakers. To offer much better specs, the JBL Go 3 also costs double, but you have to remember that the Mi Compact Speaker has had several price cuts to its benefit now.
Sound quality
The JBL Go 3 houses a more powerful speaker in a bigger package, this gives it a big advantage over the Mi Compact Speaker 2 when it comes to sound reproduction. The JBL Go 3 can get louder and has better bass reproduction too. The highs and mids are also better than the Mi Compact Speaker 2 but it's close.
The Mi Compact Speaker 2 is not a bad speaker per se, but it can only do so much with its size and output. If you want louder and much better bass reproduction then go for the JBL Go 3, it is much better without any doubt.
And the reason that makes the JBL Go 3 better is that it costs more and is larger. So, if you want better value and if size matters to you a lot, then Mi Compact Speaker 2 will keep you happy.
Extra features
While speakers are primarily built for listening to music, the best products also have the best features to complement them. Both the Mi Compact Speaker 2 and the JBL Go 3 have many features to improve your experience with them.
Both speakers come with a microphone that allows you to attend calls using them. The Mi Compact Speaker has a neat feature, that when it is connected to an MIUI or an iOS device, it displays the amount of charge left in the device.
Mic in Action (Mi Speaker)
JBL Go 3 has auto power-off, which automatically powers down the device when not in use, preserving battery life. The speaker is also IP67 rated, which means it is dust and water-resistant. The speaker can be submerged in water for 30 minutes at a maximum depth of 1 meter. This allows you to take the JBL Go 3 to pools or beaches and not worry about it getting splashed or soaked in the water every once in a while. The JBL Go 3 also has auxiliary input allowing you to play music with a wired connection.
Dust and Waterproof (JBL)
All this puts the JBL Go 3 well ahead of the Mi Compact Speaker 2 when it comes to features. The JBL Go 3 is the better product if you want your life to be simpler.
Battery
The speakers in this comparison come with varying battery capacities, with Xiaomi Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 sporting a 480 mAh battery while the JBL Go 3 features a 730 mAh battery. This on paper means that the JBL Go 3 should be much better when it comes to battery life, but in practice, it is not the case.
The Mi Compact Speaker 2 can offer up to 6 hours of continuous playback. On the other hand, the JBL Go 3 can run for up to 5 hours. The difference is due to JBL housing a more powerful speaker. An advantage for the Mi Compact Speaker 2, thanks to its smaller battery is that it can charge in under 2 hours, while it takes 2.5 hours for the JBL Go 3.
So when it comes to battery, the Mi Compact Speaker 2 is better, as it can last longer and get fully charged in less time.
People Also Ask
How important is the wattage of a speaker?
The general belief is that speakers with higher watt ratings sound louder and better but this is not always true. The wattage rating for a speaker is its ability to handle power. So if a speaker is rated at 10 Watt then it can use 10 Watts of power. But since a speaker can use more power, it is considered that a higher rated speaker can perform sound louder and better than a lower-rated one.
How to choose a speaker?
Speakers can be chosen using parameters like wattage rating, sensitivity, frequency range, and impedance. While these parameters are a good way to differentiate speakers, sometimes two speakers with the same parameter values can perform differently because of software and sound tuning. So it is best to read reviews of speakers and then decide. Specs don't always give the full picture.
What features make a good portable speaker?
Bluetooth speakers are designed to offer decent sound quality in a convenient and simple package. So a good portable speaker needs to have a good build quality, long battery life, relatively small, and clear sound reproduction. Any other features that make the experience better are a welcome addition. Both the Mi Compact Speaker 2 and the JBL Go 3 tick all the right boxes that make them excellent portable speakers.
Conclusion
Both the Mi Compact Speaker 2 and the JBL Go 3 are excellent portable speakers yet they are very different. The former focuses on portability and the latter focuses on sound quality. This doesn't mean that the Mi Compact Speaker 2 sounds bad or the JBL Go 3 is not portable, it's just that one does it better than the other.
So, if you want something tiny, lightweight, with good sound quality then Mi Compact Speaker 2 is a good option. Or if you are someone who wants a more complete product that needs to handle harsh conditions, and sounds very good for the size then the JBL Go is the one for you.
In the end, both are excellent portable speakers and it all boils down to your preferences.