Keep the party going with the JBL Xtreme 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Rugged, waterproof and loud, this is the perfect speaker for any occasion

When it comes to entertainment, you could hire an expensive sound system to provide audio over a large area, but there is a more affordable and compact solution.

JBL’s Xtreme 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker is the perfect device for outdoor gatherings, indoor events or just any occasion where you need audio to be heard loud and clear. The best part is that you can connect up to two mobile devices and multiple JBL speakers together. 

Testing the JBL Xtreme 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker 

Testing a wireless speaker is more than connecting it to a device and playing music. There must be a careful balance between ease of use, initial setup, loudness, and, of course, the overall audio quality. When combined, those factors determine whether a waterproof speaker with “extreme” in its name is worth it.

The BestReviews Testing Lab strives to investigate every claim the brand/manufacturer makes about the product. For this article, the tester applied their experience of using other JBL speakers, such as the Flip 4 and Charge 4, to see how it compared.

What is the JBL Xtreme 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker?

The Xtreme 3 is a wireless speaker that uses Bluetooth technology to connect to compatible mobile devices. It is dust and waterproof, meaning it will continue playing when splashed with water, falling into a pool or getting rained on. JBL claims the rechargeable battery lasts 15 hours, and sound is produced through two 25-watt RMS woofers and two 25-watt RMS tweeters. It’s relatively bulky and heavy, but it comes with a detachable shoulder strap (which has a built-in bottle opener) and a protective case. With the PartyBoost feature, you can connect multiple Xtreme 3 speakers for far-reaching audio. 

Inline Link: See how it compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best Bluetooth speakers.

JBL Xtreme 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker price and where to buy

This exclusive wireless speaker bundle is available on Amazon for $379 and comes in three colors with the gSport Hardshell Case. There is also a version on Amazon that includes the Megen Hardshell Case for $279.  

How to use JBL Xtreme 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

The JBL Xtreme 3 operates similarly to other Bluetooth speakers. Before you can play your music, you must ensure it’s charged sufficiently. It comes with a USB-C charging cable and a JBL wall plug, and you can use either method for recharging. Once powered up, you follow the instructions to pair the speaker with up to two mobile devices. Then, use any streaming service or music app to blast your music.  

JBL Xtreme 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker benefits

It’s often frustrating when you can’t get a speaker to work immediately. Thankfully, the setup of the Xtreme 3 is relatively easy. As the tester notes, you take the speaker out of the box, turn it on, hold the Bluetooth button to pair, select the speaker on your device, and voilà. 

You’re playing music in under 30 seconds, and the sound quality is excellent. The four speakers help to minimize distortion at high volume, something the Xtreme 3 didn’t struggle with at all. In fact, it could easily be loud enough for an entire floor of a home. The exposed subwoofers are located on either end of the speaker, and it is great to see them vibrate back and forth on bass-heavy tracks.

Playing time varies depending on how loud you use it and how many devices are connected simultaneously. But generally, you’d get about 15 hours out of it before needing a recharge. The speaker also has a built-in power bank, which is an excellent feature to have for recharging mobile devices. 

Visually, the Xtreme 3 is robust yet sleek. A mesh fabric wraps around the entire speaker to protect it, and the tester notes that this did not affect functionality.

JBL Xtreme 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker drawbacks

While there aren’t many, one drawback is the speaker size, which resembles an oversized American football. It’s definitely portable, but it’s by no means light, weighing around 5 pounds. It’s probably too heavy to carry around in a backpack and much larger than a purse, but it’s easy to move from room to room.

There is also no way of adjusting the bass and tweeter equalizers on the speaker. The only way to fine-tune the sound depending on the genre of the music is to use the EQ of the streaming app you are using. It’s not a deal-breaker, but sometimes, you want to make small changes without having to tinker with an app.

Should you get the JBL Xtreme 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker?

The tester was incredibly impressed with this speaker, especially its sound quality and how it filled a two-bedroom home with music. Additionally, dust and water were no issue for the speaker, and the battery didn’t need recharging after nearly a month.

So, if you are looking for an excellent wireless speaker with no problem booming sound over a large area, the JBL Xtreme 3 is a great option.