- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Test Results
- Differences
- Compared To Others
- Deals
- Discussions
The JBL Xtreme 3 portable Bluetooth speaker is a medium-sized speaker with built-in hooks so that you can attach its carrying strap to it. Its carrying strap also has a built-in bottle opener, so you can enjoy drinks while listening to your favorite tunes. It's well-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 up to 30 minutes. It has a warm sound profile with a balanced mid-range that ensures vocals and lead instruments sound clear and present in the mix, though they can sound a bit dark at times. Unfortunately, it lacks a thumpy and rumbling low-bass, which may disappoint some fans of bass-heavy music like hip-hop or EDM.
Our Verdict
The JBL Xtreme 3 alright for music. It has a warm sound profile with a neutral mid-range, so vocals are fairly clear and accurate. However, it struggles to reproduce low-bass, and its treble is underemphasized, so the upper harmonics of voices and instruments sound veiled. Fortunately, there's a graphic EQ in its companion app which you can use to customize its sound profile to your liking, though it might not be enough to create a thumpy low-bass. Also, while it can get fairly loud, there are compression artifacts present at max volume.
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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 is sub-par for videos and movies. When placed horizontally, it lacks a thumpy low-bass, which can affect sound effects in movies. Its soundstage is narrow, and there are compression artifacts at max volume. On the upside, its audio latency on iOS and Android isn't bad when streaming video via Bluetooth. However, some apps compensate for latency differently, and your experience may vary.
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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. It has a fairly neutral mid-range, although vocal-centric content can sound veiled or dull due to the recessed treble range. Fortunately, you can customize its sound to your liking thanks to the graphic EQ featured in its companion app. Also, it has a portable design, and you can pair it with up to two devices at a time. However, it doesn't support multi-room, so you can't play podcasts in different rooms in your home.
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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 has a great build quality and is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, meaning it's certified to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes, and you don't have to worry about it getting a bit wet when taking it outdoors with you. It's also very portable, has a long-lasting battery life, and it can get pretty loud. However, there are compression artifacts at max volume, and it lacks a thumpy low-bass.
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Supports multi-device pairing.
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Well-built and portable.
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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 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 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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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 you're listening to your favorite tunes. It comes in three colors, so you can find a look that suits your style.
The JBL Xtreme 3 has excellent portability. This battery-powered speaker comes with built-in hooks to which you can attach its removable carrying strap, so you can bring it along with you when you're on the move. For a similar JBL speaker that's even more portable, check out the smaller JBL Charge 5.
The JBL Xtreme 3'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, so it's a suitable choice for outdoor use. It's wrapped in a tight and sturdy netting, and its bass 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.
The JBL Xtreme 3 has sub-par controls. While the buttons are easy to press, some features are missing. There are 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 so that you can connect with multiple PartyBoost-compatible speakers.
- JBL Xtreme 3 speaker
- Carrying strap
- AC adapter with USB-C connection cable
- User Manual
The JBL Xtreme 3 has acceptable frequency response accuracy. When placed horizontally, it struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass. That said, it has a warm sound that still delivers a good amount of boom. The treble range is a little underemphasized, meaning the upper harmonics of vocals and instruments can sound dull or veiled. Fortunately, you can tweak its sound to your liking thanks to the graphic EQ available in its JBL Portable app. For a speaker with a better-balanced sound profile, check out the JBL Boombox 2 or the Harman/Kardon Onyx Studio 6.
Update 10/29/2021: We re-recorded and updated the 'Binaural Recording @ 2m' test result since some unwanted background noise was audible in the initial recording.
The JBL Xtreme 3's 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 JBL Xtreme 3's dynamics performance isn't bad. 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 JBL Xtreme 3 has an outstanding battery performance. It's advertised to last around 15 hours off a single charge, but we measured over 12 hours. That said, battery performance can vary depending on your usage, and your experience may differ. There's also a handy power-saving feature that shuts the speaker off following 20 minutes of inactivity.
Unlike the JBL Xtreme 2 and the JBL Flip 4, The JBL Xtreme 3 doesn't support voice assistants.
Update 01/20/2022: Thanks to user feedback, we've updated the firmware (V.0.1.8.8), and retested the speaker. The JBL Connect app was renamed the JBL Portable app. It now features a graphic EQ for this speaker. We've changed the test result for 'EQ' from 'No' to 'Graphic' and updated the text accordingly.
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.
The JBL Xtreme 3 has a great Bluetooth performance. You can pair it with up to two devices at a time, and it has a wide range. 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.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The JBL Xtreme 3 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 hooks built-in, meaning you can attach its carrying strap to it. 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 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 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 Sony 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 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 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 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 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. That said, 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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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 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.
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 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 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 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 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 Sony 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.
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 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.
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.