JBL Go 3

Sounds great on-the-go, “ The easy upper frequencies allow sonic nuances through the mids to step into the spotlight”

JBL’s most popular and pocketable speaker is so named to invoke a call to action – to ‘Go’ out and seek adventure. One look at the latest version, the JBL Go 3, however, and we want to head for a shower; it really does look like a soap on a rope.

The Go 3’s design overhaul over its predecessor means that the metal grille is now swathed in fabric. Though it is still a small speaker, it’s almost 1cm thicker, 30g heavier and has a more rounded feel. Underneath the handy cord loop, you will find the USB-C charging port, which no longer needs a cover to boast an IP67 rating for dust and water ingress.

Across the top curve of the unit are three nicely tactile play/pause and volume controls, and on the right panel there is a circular power button, a Bluetooth pairing button and an LED light. The bottom panel and the underside of the unit have been given new rubber reinforcement panels too, allowing you to place it flat or stand it in either portrait or landscape mode. The Go 2’s 3.5mm port for wired listening and the mic for speakerphone duties are no longer found on the Go 3, but we don’t really miss them in such a small and portable design.