echRadar Verdict
The JBL Pulse 3’s light show may be a gimmick but thankfully its sound quality doesn’t suffer for it. While not the most portable speaker, those who want a great-sounding speaker and a conversation starter will enjoy the Pulse 3.
JBL has been a leader in the Bluetooth speaker world for years due to its dedication to sound quality and the sheer number of speakers it offers.
A quick look at JBL’s site and you’ll quickly discover that the company has 10 different Bluetooth speakers for you to choose from. The selection may seem a bit overwhelming but, on the bright side, it also means somewhere hidden in that line-up there’s a speaker that will fit your specific needs.
If you want an ultra-portable speaker, get the tiny JBL Clip 2. If you want bass without breaking the bank or your back, get the JBL Charge 3.
Announced at CES in January but only now hitting stores, the Pulse 3 is JBL's latest Bluetooth speaker that produces an LED light show to go along with your music. Unlike the Pulse 2, which delivered colorful dancing LEDs across a mesh-like grid, the $199.95 Pulse 3 has a smooth, cloud-like lighting effect over its surface. Despite the lighting, the Pulse 3 is waterproof, and from an audio perspective, it delivers a strong output. But it sounds more like a speaker in the $100 to $150 range, so you're paying a bit of a premium for the (admittedly cool) lighting.
JBL Pulse 3
The JBL Pulse 3 isn't the best speaker that the company offers, but it's definitely the most fun to look at. That alone could make it worth the money if you're into speakers that look like lava lamps.
If there’s one company that’s doing everything it can to take over the world of Bluetooth speakers it’s JBL, and it’s doing a damn good job of it. The company rarely disappoints with its products. We’ve reviewed everything from the tiny JBL Clip 3 to the larger Charge 4 and have always come away impressed.JBL speakers are never perfect but the company knows its customers. Every product has a specific use case to complement a given lifestyle. Take the Clip 3 for example. Whether you’re a hiker or just looking for a cheap speaker to hang in the shower, it does the job well. There’s also the JBL Link 300, which puts the Google Assistant front and center in your living room. But where does the Pulse 3 fit into their lineup? Who is going to want a fairly expensive speaker that looks more like a lava lamp then a speaker?
Related: Best Google Assistant speakers
Editor’s note: This post was updated on August 5, 2021, to include a link to the JBL Charge 5 review and information about buying refurbished JBL products.
Who is the JBL Pulse 3 for?
Anyone who doesn’t mind sacrificing battery life for a dope light show. The speaker could probably last as long as the JBL Charge 4 if it wasn’t half colorful lamp.
Someone with another recent JBL speaker. If you or your friends have a JBL speaker that has Connect+, the Pulse 3 could be the centerpiece of a nice little setup at your next party or backyard get together.
The JBL Pulse 3’s light show may be a gimmick but thankfully its sound quality doesn’t suffer for it. While not the most portable speaker, those who want a great-sounding speaker and a conversation starter will enjoy the Pulse 3.
JBL has been a leader in the Bluetooth speaker world for years due to its dedication to sound quality and the sheer number of speakers it offers.
A quick look at JBL’s site and you’ll quickly discover that the company has 10 different Bluetooth speakers for you to choose from. The selection may seem a bit overwhelming but, on the bright side, it also means somewhere hidden in that line-up there’s a speaker that will fit your specific needs.
If you want an ultra-portable speaker, get the tiny JBL Clip 2. If you want bass without breaking the bank or your back, get the JBL Charge 3.
Announced at CES in January but only now hitting stores, the Pulse 3 is JBL's latest Bluetooth speaker that produces an LED light show to go along with your music. Unlike the Pulse 2, which delivered colorful dancing LEDs across a mesh-like grid, the $199.95 Pulse 3 has a smooth, cloud-like lighting effect over its surface. Despite the lighting, the Pulse 3 is waterproof, and from an audio perspective, it delivers a strong output. But it sounds more like a speaker in the $100 to $150 range, so you're paying a bit of a premium for the (admittedly cool) lighting.
JBL Pulse 3
The JBL Pulse 3 isn't the best speaker that the company offers, but it's definitely the most fun to look at. That alone could make it worth the money if you're into speakers that look like lava lamps.
If there’s one company that’s doing everything it can to take over the world of Bluetooth speakers it’s JBL, and it’s doing a damn good job of it. The company rarely disappoints with its products. We’ve reviewed everything from the tiny JBL Clip 3 to the larger Charge 4 and have always come away impressed.JBL speakers are never perfect but the company knows its customers. Every product has a specific use case to complement a given lifestyle. Take the Clip 3 for example. Whether you’re a hiker or just looking for a cheap speaker to hang in the shower, it does the job well. There’s also the JBL Link 300, which puts the Google Assistant front and center in your living room. But where does the Pulse 3 fit into their lineup? Who is going to want a fairly expensive speaker that looks more like a lava lamp then a speaker?
Related: Best Google Assistant speakers
Editor’s note: This post was updated on August 5, 2021, to include a link to the JBL Charge 5 review and information about buying refurbished JBL products.
Who is the JBL Pulse 3 for?
Anyone who doesn’t mind sacrificing battery life for a dope light show. The speaker could probably last as long as the JBL Charge 4 if it wasn’t half colorful lamp.
Someone with another recent JBL speaker. If you or your friends have a JBL speaker that has Connect+, the Pulse 3 could be the centerpiece of a nice little setup at your next party or backyard get together.
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