The JBL Xtreme 3 is the third generation in JBL's Xtreme lineup of rugged Bluetooth speakers. It has a similar design to the JBL Xtreme 2, with built-in hooks to help you carry it while on the go, as well as a built-in bottle opener on the carrying strap. It's designed to bring the party with you, whether you're in or out of the house, with a solid build and an IP67 rating for water resistance to protect it against the elements. However, this speaker doesn't include voice assistant support like its predecessor.
Our Verdict
The JBL Xtreme 3 is alright for music. Out of the box, it reproduces voices and lead instruments with relative clarity, so it's suitable for a wide range of music genres. That said, there's a dip in the treble that adds a dull quality to the sound, though you can use its graphic EQ to make up for this a bit. Given its small size, you don't get a deep rumble in the low-bass, either.
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Well-built and portable.
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Stereo soundstage.
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Lacks low-bass.
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Compression artifacts at max volume.
The JBL Xtreme 3 isn't designed for use with videos and movies, but if you want to use it while streaming videos on your phone, it's a suitable choice. You can pair it with up to two devices at once, and its clear reproduction of dialogue means it's easy to follow the action on screen. There are some lip-synching issues, and the lack of low-bass doesn't provide a very cinematic feel.
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Well-built and portable.
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Lacks low-bass.
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Doesn't support Apple AirPlay, Chromecast, or Wi-Fi.
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Compression artifacts at max volume.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is decent for podcasts. Dialogue reproduces with clarity right out of the box, so you can easily follow along with your favorite shows. The speaker moves around with you easily from room to room, too, and its wide range helps it stay connected to your phone even when you're further away. There's a dip in the treble out of the box that adds a dull quality to vocals, but you can use its graphic EQ to make up for this.
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Supports multi-device pairing.
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Well-built and portable.
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Compression artifacts at max volume.
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Doesn't support multi-room.
The JBL Xtreme 3 doesn't have voice assistant support.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is good for outdoor use. It's a portable Bluetooth speaker designed to withstand the elements, whether you're camping or enjoying an afternoon at the park. It has a sturdy and durable build, as well as an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance to help it withstand exposure to the elements. It also gets plenty loud, meaning you can blast your favorite tunes all across your backyard with ease.
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Supports multi-device pairing.
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Well-built and portable.
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IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
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Lacks low-bass.
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Compression artifacts at max volume.
- 6.7 Music
- 5.9 Videos/Movies
- 7.2 Podcasts
- 2.7 Voice Assistant
- 7.8 Outdoors
- Updated Jan 17, 2023: Updated review text for accuracy and clarity. No changes in test results.
- Updated Dec 19, 2022: Changed Track Next/Previous from No to Forward Only (Physical).
- Updated Aug 11, 2022: Added a comparison with the Sony SRS-XG300 in the 'Bluetooth' box.
- Updated Jan 20, 2022: Retested the speaker after updating the firmware (V.0.1.8.8). Updated the test result for 'EQ' from 'No' to 'Graphic' in the 'App' Box.
- Updated Jan 13, 2022: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
- Updated Oct 29, 2021: Updated the 'Binaural Recording @ 2m' test result in the Raw Frequency Response box.
- Updated Jan 19, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Jan 15, 2021: Early access published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
This speaker comes in three color variants: 'Black', 'Blue', and 'Camo'. We tested the 'Black' variant, and you can see its label here. We expect all color variants to perform similarly to our model.
If you come across another variant, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Speakers
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a medium-sized portable speaker that's smaller and more portable than the JBL Boombox 2. Like its predecessor, the JBL Xtreme 2, it has built-in hooks to attach the included carrying strap. The strap even comes with a built-in bottle opener, so you can enjoy drinks while listening to your favorite music. That said, it doesn't support voice assistants. Like the JBL Charge 5, you can use the speaker as a power bank if your smartphone or other device needs recharging. Unfortunately, it struggles to reproduce thumpy low-bass.
See our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best portable Bluetooth speakers, and the best Bluetooth speakers for bass.
The JBL Xtreme 3 and the JBL Charge 5 are very similar speakers. While they both have very similar designs, the Charge 5 is smaller, lighter, and more portable. It also has a slightly better-balanced sound profile. That said, the Xtreme 3 can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which sounds more immersive. It uses the JBL Connect app, as opposed to the Charge 5 that uses the JBL Portable app.
The JBL Boombox 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3. It has a more balanced sound profile that produces a more extended low-bass. While it gets as loud as the Xtreme 3, it has significantly less compression at max volume, so audio quality sounds cleaner and clearer when you blast your favorite songs. It also has a much longer-lasting battery life of almost 30 hours from a single charge. That said, the Xtreme 3 is smaller and more portable. Its removable carrying strap even comes with a bottle opener built-in to enjoy drinks with friends.
The JBL Xtreme 2 is a better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3. They have very similar builds, but the Xtreme 2 has a slightly more balanced sound profile and a longer battery life. Also, only the Xtreme 2 has voice assistant capabilities. Although the two speakers can get similarly loud, the Xtreme 2 has fewer compression artifacts present at max volume.
The JBL Boombox 2 is a better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3. The Boombox has a more balanced sound profile, and its battery lasts longer. The underemphasized treble range of the Xtreme can make audio sound a bit dull and veiled. However, it's is a lot smaller and lighter and takes less time to charge.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Flip 6. The Xtreme 3 is a larger speaker that can get louder and produce a more extended low-bass than the Flip 6. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. It also has a longer-lasting battery life, though this varies depending on your usage. The Flip 6 is smaller, making it easier to bring along with you when you're out and about. It also has better directivity, resulting in a wider-sounding soundstage.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Charge 4. The Xtreme is a better-built speaker that can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. Its sound profile is also more balanced, with extra warmth in the lower end. The Xtreme can also get louder than the Charge, though both have a bit of compression at max volume.
The Sony SRS-XG500 is a better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3 overall. The Sony can get a bit louder with slightly less compression present at max volume. It has a longer-lasting battery life of almost 26 hours, and you can connect an external guitar or microphone to the speaker. It also has a boomy sound profile with 'MEGA BASS' on that can produce a more extended low-bass than the JBL. That said, the JBL is smaller, making it more portable. Its sound profile is also better-balanced out-of-the-box.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a slightly better speaker than the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go. The Xtreme 3 is a better-built speaker that's more suitable for outdoor use, thanks to its smaller size and IP67 rating for water resistance. Its battery lasts close to thirteen hours, while the On-The-Go only lasts 4.5 hours on a single charge. However, the On-The-Go has a more extended low-bass and gets slightly louder, so you may prefer it for use at parties or in large rooms.
The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3. Thanks to its 360-degree design, The Ultimate Ears has amazing directivity, meaning you can hear your audio clearly from all angles. It also has a longer-lasting battery life, though this can vary depending on your usage. That said, out-of-the-box, the JBL can produce a more extended low-bass than the Ultimate Ears. It can also be paired to two devices at once, which can come in handy when you need to quickly switch between audio sources.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Flip 5 overall. The Xtreme 3 can get louder and can produce a more extended low-bass than the Flip 5. It can also play stereo content without downmixing it to mono and has a longer-lasting battery life, though the latter can depend on your usage, and your real-world experience may differ. That said, the Flip 5 is smaller and more portable than the Xtreme 3. It also has a wider-sounding soundstage.
The JBL PartyBox 100 is a better speaker for most uses than the JBL Xtreme 3. The PartyBox 100 has a better-balanced sound profile, a larger soundstage, and can get much louder with fewer compression artifacts at max volume. However, the Xtreme 3 is more portable and feels better built. It's also compatible with the JBL Connect app, and it has lower Bluetooth latency on Android and iOS.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is a better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3, though they have different strengths. The PartyBox offers a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a more extended low-bass. It can also get louder with less compression at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. This party speaker also comes with extra party features like customizable RGB lights, DJ effects, and mic and guitar inputs. That said, the Xtreme 3 is significantly smaller, making it much more portable. It's also better-built, and you can pair it with multiple other PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers.
The JBL Xtreme 3 and the Sony SRS-XB43 are similar speakers, so depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The JBL is better built and has a better soundstage performance. However, the Sony has longer battery life, and it supports voice assistants.
The Sonos Move is a better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3. The Sonos has a better-balanced sound profile, has built-in voice assistant support for Alexa and Google Assistant, and you can tweak its sound using the bass/treble adjustment sliders on its companion app. It also supports Wi-Fi, and you can pair it with up to two devices at a time. However, the JBL has lower Bluetooth latency on iOS and Android.
The JBL PartyBox 310 is a better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3, though they have different strengths. The PartyBox 310 is a large party speaker that offers a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a more extended low-bass than the Xtreme 3. It can also get much louder with fewer compression artifacts at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio during louder listening sessions. The Xtreme 3 is much smaller and much more portable than the PartyBox 310. It's also better-built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes.
The Harman/Kardon Aura Studio 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3. The Harman/Kardon is a wired home speaker that offers a wider and more open-sounding soundstage thanks to its 360-degree design. It has less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. That said, the JBL is smaller and battery-powered, making it more portable. It's also better built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, so you can take it outdoors with you without worrying about it getting a bit wet.
The JBL Xtreme 3 and the Anker Soundcore Motion Boom are similar speakers with different strengths. The JBL has somewhat better directivity, resulting in a more open-sounding soundstage. It's also better-built and has a shorter charge time, though battery performance can vary depending on usage. That said, the Anker can get louder with less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. Its companion app also features additional presets you can use to adjust its sound.
The JBL Xtreme 3 and the Harman/Kardon Onyx Studio 6 are similarly-performing speakers, so depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The Harman/Kardon has a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box. However, the JBL is better built, with longer battery life and better soundstage performance.
The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3. The Ultimate Ears can get louder than the JBL with less compression at max volume, so your audio sounds clean and clear at louder volume levels. It also offers a wider and more spacious-sounding soundstage. That said, the JBL is better-built, smaller, and more portable than the Ultimate Ears.
The Bose Portable Smart Speaker is a better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3. The Bose offers a slightly better-balanced sound profile than the JBL and is more customizable thanks to the bass and treble adjustments featured in its companion app, meaning that you can tweak its sound to your liking. It also offers remarkable voice assistant support with Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. That said, the JBL is better built and can get somewhat louder than the Bose, with less compression at max volume, so your audio sounds cleaner at louder volumes.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Roam or the JBL Xtreme 3. The Sonos has a more portable design, and it supports voice assistants. It also comes with bass and treble adjustments for sound customization. However, the JBL supports stereo content, gets louder, and has longer battery life.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a slightly better speaker for most uses than the Sony SRS-XB33. The JBL has a better-balanced sound profile and a more immersive soundstage. It can also get louder than the Sony, although there are more compression artifacts at max volume, and its battery life is outstanding. However, the Sony supports voice assistants through your smartphone. Its Bluetooth latency on Android and iOS is also much lower.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a slightly better speaker than the TREBLAB HD-Max overall, though they're similar. The JBL has a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box and can produce a more extended low-bass than the TREBLAB. It comes with a graphic EQ to customize its sound to your liking. It's better-built and can also be paired with up to two devices at once, which is handy when you need to quickly switch between audio sources. The TREBLAB can get slightly louder with slightly less compression at max volume. It also has a much longer-lasting battery life, making it better suited for long listening sessions.
The Sony SRS-XG300 is better than the JBL Xtreme 3 overall. You can use the Sony speaker to answer and reject phone calls, and it supports voice assistants via your paired smartphone. It comes with customizable RGB lights. It's compatible with Sony's Fiestable app, which lets you access extra party features of the speaker. It also has lower Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices, making it better suited for watching videos and movies. Some apps compensate for latency differently, and your experience may vary. That said, the JBL offers a better-balanced sound profile overall.
The Anker Soundcore Motion+ is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3 overall, though they perform similarly. The Anker has a slightly wider-sounding soundstage and comes with additional presets you can use to adjust its sound. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't very good. That said, the JBL can produce deeper bass than the Anker. It's also better-built, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, certifying it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes.
The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3, though they have different strengths. The Bose is smaller and more portable than the JBL. It offers a wider-sounding soundstage and supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't very good. However, the JBL can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. It can also get louder than the Bose and has a longer-lasting battery life, though the latter can depend on your usage habits, and your experience may vary.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is slightly better than the Marshall Emberton II. The JBL gets a bit louder than the Marshall with less compression at max volume, so your audio sounds cleaner when the volume is maxed out. It can produce a slightly more extended low-bass, and the graphic EQ in its companion app offers you more control over its sound profile. It comes with a carrying strap to help transport it too, that has a built-in bottle opener so you can enjoy drinks with friends. However, the Marshall offers a more spacious and immersive-sounding soundstage that can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. It's smaller in size, making it easier to carry in one hand. It also has a longer-lasting battery life of around 22 hours.
The Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20 is a better speaker for music than the JBL Xtreme 3 overall. The Bang & Olufsen can produce a more extended low-bass, and offers a more spacious-sounding soundstage. That said, the JBL is better suited to use outdoors. It's better built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. Its battery also lasts significantly longer, making it better for long days spent outside.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a better portable Bluetooth speaker than the Marshall Willen. The JBL can reproduce a much more extended low-bass, so you feel more rumble, especially in bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. It's more customizable, with a graphic EQ that lets you control its sound across the range. It's better built, too.
The Marshall Emberton is a better speaker for most uses than the JBL Xtreme 3. The Marshall has a better-balanced sound profile, a wider soundstage, and has lower latency on iOS and Android. However, the JBL has a better build quality, a longer continuous battery life, and it can get louder. It also has a companion app.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a better speaker than the Alpine Corporation Solar Bluetooth Rock Speaker. The JBL is better-built, more portable, and can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. Also, its out-of-the-box sound profile is more neutral, and it reproduces a more extended low-bass. That said, some listeners may prefer the Alpine Corporation's rock-like design for their outdoor decor, and it also has longer battery life.
You may prefer either the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 or the JBL Xtreme 3, depending on your listening habits. The Ultimate Ears is smaller and more portable than the JBL. It offers a much more open-sounding soundstage than that of the JBL, thanks to its 360-degree design. It also has less compression present at max volume, resulting in a cleaner sound at louder volume levels. The JBL can get louder and produce a much more extended low-bass than the Ultimate Ears. It also has lower latency with iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth, though some apps compensate for latency differently, and your experience may differ.
The JBL Xtreme 3 and the Sonos One Gen 2 are speakers with different strengths, and depending on your preferences, you may prefer one over the other. The JBL is more suitable for outdoor use since it's battery-powered, supports Bluetooth, and has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be dust-proof and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. It can also get louder and with fewer compression artifacts. However, the Sonos is better for voice assistants as it has Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. It also can be connected with Sonos soundbars as surround speakers.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a slightly better speaker than the Klipsch The Three II, though they have different strengths. The JBL is battery-powered and better-built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, so you can easily take it outdoors with you when you're on the move. It has slightly better directivity, resulting in a more open-sounding soundstage. It can also be paired to up to two devices at once, which can come in handy when you need to switch between audio sources. However, the Klipsch can get significantly louder than the JBL, with slightly less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volume levels.
You may prefer either the Klipsch The One II or the JBL Xtreme 3, depending on your listening habits. The Klipsch is a wired speaker designed for home use. It features an AUX input you can use to wire older devices to your speaker, and it can also get louder than the JBL. However, the JBL is smaller, battery-powered, and better-built, making it more portable and suitable to be taken outdoors with you. Its companion app also features a graphic EQ you can use to tweak its sound to your liking.
The Sony GTK-XB72 is a better overall speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3, though they have different strengths. The Sony is a large party speaker that can get louder than the JBL., and can produce a slightly more extended low-bass. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't very good. However, the JBL is better built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, certifying it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water. It's also smaller and battery-powered, making it more portable than the Sony.
Test Results
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a medium-sized cylindrical speaker that you can place vertically or horizontally. It has two built-in low-profile hooks on its top side so you can attach its carrying strap. Like the TREBLAB HD-Max, the carrying strap also has a built-in bottle opener, so you can enjoy drinks while listening to your favorite tunes. It comes in three colors, so you can find a look that suits your style.
This battery-powered speaker has built-in hooks to which you can attach its removable carrying strap, so you can bring it along when you're on the move. For a similar JBL speaker that's even more portable, check out the smaller JBL Charge 5.
This speaker's build quality is great. It has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be fully dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. As a result, you can use it near water without worrying too much about damage. It's wrapped in a tight and sturdy netting, and its base and sides are made of rubber to keep the speaker from slipping when placed horizontally and vertically. Also, there are built-in hooks so you can attach its carrying strap. The strap feels sturdy, and it has a built-in bottle opener.
While the controls are easy to press, with simple music management features like volume control and a play/pause button. You can also press the play button twice to skip to the next track, but unfortunately, you can't backtrack. On the upside, there's a chime when you've reached max volume. The power and Bluetooth buttons light up, and there's a small, vertical indicator for battery life under the JBL logo. This speaker has a dedicated 'PartyBoost' button, meaning you can connect with multiple PartyBoost-compatible speakers.
- JBL Xtreme 3 speaker
- Carrying strap
- AC adapter with USB-C connection cable
- User Manual
Out of the box, the speaker's frequency response is fairly even and balanced, especially in the mids, where most voices and lead instruments reproduce. It's a good choice for listening to most music genres, as well as vocal-heavy content like podcasts and audiobooks. The dip in the treble means that audio is a bit dull, too. Also, given its small size, you don't get the deep thump and rumble in the bass like with larger speakers on the market.
Its soundstage performance is satisfactory. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, meaning you can distinguish between its left and right channels. However, its directivity is mediocre, resulting in a narrow and directional-sounding soundstage. There's also overemphasis in the treble range, which can cause the soundstage to seem uneven.
The speaker can get fairly loud, and its sound can fill a large room. However, there's a lot of compression present at max volume, so your audio may not sound as clean when the speaker is pushed to its louder volume levels.
The speaker has an outstanding battery performance. It's advertised to last around 15 hours off a single charge, but it actually lasts around 12 hours. That said, battery performance can vary depending on your usage, and your experience may differ. There's a handy power-saving feature that shuts the speaker off following 20 minutes of inactivity.
The JBL Portable app is very good. It's compatible with both iOS and Android. You can use it to link two PartyBoost-compatible speakers to create a stereo pair or connect it with multiple speakers to play the same audio across a large space. There's also a graphic EQ you can use to customize the speaker's sound profile to your liking.
It has a USB-C port to charge the speaker, and there's a USB-A port you can use to charge other devices like your phone from the JBL Xtreme 3. Also, there's an AUX port, meaning you can use a wired connection between this speaker and your smartphone. However, this cable isn't included in the box.
You can pair this speaker with up to two devices at a time, and it has a wide range to stay connected as you move away from your phone. Its latency on iOS and Android is alright, and it can be a suitable choice for watching videos. However, some apps and devices compensate for latency differently, so your experience may vary. For a portable speaker with a better Bluetooth latency performance overall, check out the Sony SRS-XG300.