This story is part of Amazon Prime DayCNET’s guide to everything you need to know and how to find the best deals.
Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale officially runs Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 11 and 12, but early deals are already up. Recently added to our favorite October Prime Day deals — which we’re updating in real-time — is the JBL Go 3. Usually selling for $50, the tiny Bluetooth speaker is currently 40% off — just $30. (It occasionally hovers at this price, but we’ve never seen it lower.)
actually, several of JBL’s speakers and headphones are currently on sale, but for me, the Go 3 hits the sweet spot for an impulse purchase. I own it, and it’s one of my favorite gadgets and travel companions. It’s also IPX 67 waterproof, so it’s at home in the shower or by the pool. In fact, I installed a Command Hook by the bathroom sink where it can hang from its durable braided loop. The only two buttons are Bluetooth sync and power — it’s worked flawlessly with any phone, laptop or tablet I’ve ever tried to connect to it.
And the sound? For something that fits in the palm of my hand, I think it sounds great. With a good bit of midrange and even a touch of bass, you actually feel like you’re getting some of that JBL audio DNA that you wouldn’t find in those aforementioned no-name speakers. But don’t trust me: Check out the full review from CNET audio guru David Carnoy, who also enshrined it on our list of best Bluetooth speakers.
You could quibble with the battery life — about 5 hours, and rechargeable via USB-C — but otherwise, there’s very little not to like about the Go 3, which is also available in a range of eight fun colors, including teal, pink and even military camo. If you have an older portable speaker with a tiny sound or flagging battery life, this makes a no-brainer replacement. It’s also a great gift for anyone who travels or just likes listening to music or podcasts around the house.
This story was originally published earlier.