We've currently tested 29 JBL speakers. JBL is a well-known brand that offers a wide range of Bluetooth speakers, from small, portable Bluetooth speakers you can bring with you on the go, like their Flip and Clip lineups, to much larger and more powerful party speakers that can produce enough bass to rumble a room from their PartyBox lineup.
Updates
- 10/22/2024 JBL PartyBox Stage 320 reviewed
- 09/24/2024 JBL Go 4 reviewed
- 08/20/2024 JBL Boombox 3 updated
- 08/15/2024 JBL Clip 5 reviewed
- 08/01/2024 JBL Xtreme 4 reviewed
Best JBL Speakers
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Best JBL Bluetooth Speaker
Music7.5Videos/Movies6.5Podcasts7.4Voice Assistant2.8Outdoors8.2Battery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantNoBluetoothYesWi-FiNoThe best JBL Bluetooth speaker we've tested is the JBL Boombox 3. It's a portable Bluetooth speaker with a boombox-style design and a built-in carrying handle to help you bring your favorite tunes on the go. Thanks to its versatile performance, it's suitable for listening to lots of different audio content, whether at home or outside on your porch. Since it's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, it's protected against some exposure to the elements, and it can even float in the water at your next pool party.
This speaker offers great sound quality, whether you're listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. Voices and lead instruments reproduce with clarity, and it's easy to follow along with dialogue. If you prefer a different sound, a graphic EQ is available in the JBL Portable app, meaning you can add more bass or brighten up the treble. This speaker gets loud, too, and its battery life of over 29 hours lets you rock on late into the night without a recharge. If you're looking for a more portable speaker that can get a bit louder, it's worth checking out the JBL Xtreme 4 instead. This more lightweight speaker shares many of the Boombox 3's good qualities, like a long 27-hour battery life, but its default sound isn't quite as balanced, and there's quite a bit more compression at max volume.
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Best Mid-Range JBL Speaker
Music7.4Videos/Movies6.6Podcasts7.5Voice Assistant2.7Outdoors7.5Battery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantNoBluetoothYesWi-FiNoIf you're looking for a more affordable option, consider the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential. JBL designed this portable Bluetooth speaker with parties in mind, but it's still suitable for cranking out your favorite tunes at home. Its stylish design brings excitement to your next event with a circular RGB light ring that you can customize to suit the mood through the JBL PartyBox app. There's even a microphone input if you want to host a karaoke session and some extra party-centric features through its companion app.
This speaker provides an even and balanced sound right out of the box. Voices and lead instruments are clear and present in the mix, and there's plenty of rumble in the bass to bring genres like EDM and hip-hop to life. There's a graphic EQ to switch up its sound and a Bass Boost feature to shake the room with your favorite tunes. This speaker also gets loud, but with a little over eight hours of battery life, it doesn't last quite as long off a single charge as the JBL Boombox 3. It isn't quite as suitable for outdoor use since it can't float in water. Still, it's a solid choice if you want a powerful speaker to crank up the music at your next party.
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Best Lower Mid-Range JBL Speaker
Music6.5Videos/Movies5.8Podcasts7.4Voice Assistant2.8Outdoors7.6Battery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantNoBluetoothYesWi-FiNoThe JBL Charge 5 is another versatile speaker available at a more wallet-friendly price. Found in lots of different color variants, this stylish speaker is a great choice for listening to everything from music to podcasts to audiobooks. It's compatible with the JBL Portable app, where you can customize its sound with the graphic EQ or pair it with other PartyBoost speakers to spread sound throughout your room. Given its smaller size, it brings less rumble in the low-bass than other picks, like the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential. However, it's not a big deal if you mostly listen to music without a lot of bass mixed in.
Thanks to its small and lightweight design, this device ranks as the best JBL portable speaker we've tested. You can easily carry it in one hand, making it a great choice for your next backyard party or camping trip, and you can throw it in your bag or backpack to enjoy your favorite music while on the go. It has a sturdy build, and the IP67 rating for dust and water resistance means it can withstand some exposure to the elements. Since it lasts over 14 hours off of a single charge, you don't have to worry about running back inside to recharge it often.
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Best Budget JBL Speaker
Music6.3Videos/Movies6.0Podcasts7.3Voice Assistant5.3Outdoors7.0Battery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneYesVoice AssistantYesBluetoothYesWi-FiNoOn a budget? Check out the JBL Flip 4. This portable Bluetooth speaker is a great way to listen to your favorite tunes wherever you go. Available in many different colors, this speaker boasts a small and lightweight design, and it's well-built. Plus, its IPX7 water resistance rating means it's certified to withstand some immersion in water. Its carrying strap is removable, and you can attach it to your bag or backpack for easier transport. Depending on the retailer, you can find it on sale for a similar price to the JBL Clip 5.
Given the budget-friendly price, it's little surprise that this speaker has fewer features than the JBL Charge 5. There's no graphic EQ, so you can't customize its sound—though you may find that you don't need this tool in the first place. This speaker's sound is clear and detailed out of the box, making it suitable for many different audio content types. It also supports JBL's Connect+ feature, so you can pair it up with other compatible speakers from the manufacturer to spread audio throughout your room to your next party. Overall, it's a solid pick for the price.
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Best Cheap JBL Speaker
Music6.4Videos/Movies5.6Podcasts7.5Voice Assistant3.1Outdoors7.1Battery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantNoBluetoothYesWi-FiNoThe JBL Clip 5 is a more affordable alternative if you want an entry-level speaker without breaking the bank. It's another small and lightweight Bluetooth speaker designed with portability in mind, and as its name implies, it comes with a built-in clip to attach the speaker to your bag or backpack. Its solid and sturdy design is ideal for listening to music outdoors, so you can take it with you on your next hike or picnic in the park. It's also rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, which is great for holding up to the elements. This iteration features some improvements on the JBL Clip 4, too, like a graphic EQ and presets in the companion app and support for Bluetooth multi-device pairing.
This speaker offers a decent solid quality, especially compared to similarly priced models. While its low-frequency extension isn't as impressive as the JBL Flip 4, it brings a little extra boom in the high-bass to the mix. Some of the bass leaks into the mids, which muddies voices in the mix. Still, it's suitable for listening to many different types of audio content, from music to podcasts to audiobooks. It's also available in many colors, so you can pick a model that suits your style. It's a great place to start if you want to enter the speaker space. If you're specifically in search of a very small (yet cheap) speaker that will fit into coat pockets, the JBL Go 4 is worth checking out. Its tiny size means it can't produce as much bass as the Clip 5, but its battery life is a touch longer, and it floats!
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Best JBL Speaker For Parties
Music7.8Videos/Movies6.8Podcasts7.2Voice Assistant2.9Outdoors7.8Battery PoweredYesSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantNoBluetoothYesWi-FiNoIf you love hosting events, you'll want a powerful party speaker like the JBL PartyBox 310. It's the best in JBL's party-centric lineup and packs a punch. You enjoy a great sound quality right out of the box, with a deep and extended low-bass to ensure that genres like EDM and hip-hop come with lots of thump and rumble. You can use its Bass Boost feature to pump up the bass or the full graphic EQ in its companion app to customize its output across the range. Like any good party speaker, it gets super loud, too.
This speaker has some extra features to make the most of your next party. For example, you can connect a microphone and a guitar to sing along with your favorite tunes or customize its RGB lights to set the right mood. In the JBL PartyBox app, you'll find karaoke and DJ effects and that graphic EQ. It's a big speaker, though, and even with its telescopic handle built-in, it can be challenging to transport, especially compared to portable Bluetooth speakers like the JBL Boombox 3. The JBL PartyBox 110 is another good alternative that's smaller and more affordable, though it can't reproduce as much low-bass as its bigger counterpart.
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Best JBL Home Speaker
Music7.7Videos/Movies6.9Podcasts7.0Voice Assistant8.6Outdoors7.3Battery PoweredNoSpeakerphoneNoVoice AssistantYesBluetoothYesWi-FiYesIf you only plan to listen to music at home, the JBL Authentics 500 is worth a look. This sleek and stylish speaker boasts a retro design inspired by classic JBL speakers with lots of modern-day features built inside. For example, you can control the speaker using Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously, which is cool if you want to switch between features offered by each. This speaker supports Bluetooth, but it's wired-only, so you'll have to keep it plugged in while you listen to all your favorite tunes.
As with other premium home speakers, this model has a room correction feature designed to optimize its sound based on your room's unique acoustics. With it on, the speaker reproduces voices and instruments in all your favorite tracks with clarity, and there's a little extra warmth in the bass for genres like EDM and hip-hop. A graphic EQ gives you the option to customize its sound. If you have a smaller room, the JBL Authentics 200 is a good alternative, too. It's smaller, so it doesn't get as loud as the 500, but it still offers many of the same features for less.
Compared To Other Brands
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Bluetooth-compatible.
The JBL speakers we've tested support Bluetooth connectivity, so you can pair other Bluetooth-compatible devices, like your smartphone or laptop, to the speaker wirelessly to play audio. -
Well-balanced sound profile.
The JBL speakers we've tested tend to have a pretty neutral, balanced sound profile suitable for listening to a wide variety of music genres and audio content. It can reproduce vocals and lead instruments clearly. -
Well-built, portable design.
Most of the speakers we've tested offer a solid, durable build quality and have IP ratings for water resistance. They're also battery-powered, so you can bring them outdoors without worrying about finding an outlet to plug them into.
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No built-in voice assistant support.
Most JBL speakers don't support voice assistant connectivity, so you can't control them using your voice. Some models let you use the voice assistant from your paired smartphone, but there aren't any built-in capabilities. -
No graphic EQs.
Some of the company's speakers are compatible with the JBL Portable and the JBL Partybox app. However, only the newer models tend to have access to the app's graphic EQ to help you adjust their sound profile based on your preferences. -
Some models lack low-bass.
If you love listening to bass-heavy music like EDM and hip-hop, you'll want a speaker with a thumpy low-bass. Some of JBL's models struggle to reproduce deep rumbles, especially those on the smaller and more portable side.
JBL vs Sonos
Sonos and JBL are both popular speaker manufacturers, though they address different market segments. Sonos speakers are on the higher end of the market and are designed to fit into its existing ecosystem of audio products. Meanwhile, JBL's speakers are generally more outdoor-oriented, and you can find high-end party speakers and budget-friendly portable models in their lineup.
JBL vs Bose
Bose is another speaker manufacturer geared towards making smart speakers, though they also have a few outdoor-oriented models in their lineup. The manufacturer is known for its signature sound, though generally speaking, their speakers aren't as customizable as other models on the market. Meanwhile, JBL sells everything from premium party speakers to budget Bluetooth speakers without as many integrated smart features for hands-free control.
JBL vs Sony
Sony and JBL are similar in many ways—both manufacturers produce a wide array of speakers at both ends of the market, so you can find big-party speakers and small Bluetooth speakers to bring on the go. Their devices are pretty customizable in terms of sound, though they don't offer many smart features like built-in voice assistant support. That said, JBL tends to have a more even sound quality out of the box compared to Sony's speakers.
JBL manufactures a wide array of speakers, and most of their models are portable Bluetooth speakers designed to hold up when you use them on the go. With solid, sturdy builds and IP ratings for dust and water resistance, they're ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. You can also find a lineup of party speakers with some extra features. Since they aren't designed for home use, most of their speakers lack built-in voice assistants or other smart features.
Lineup
JBL manufactures a wide array of speakers for a variety of different uses.
Portable Bluetooth Speakers
- Authentics Series: Premium portable smart speakers
- Boombox series: Higher-end portable speakers
- Charge series: Mid-range portable waterproof speakers with a power bank
- Clip series: Budget-friendly ultra-portable waterproof speakers
- Flip series: Mid-range portable waterproof speakers
- Go series: Budget-friendly waterproof speakers
- JR series: Kid-friendly portable speakers
- Pulse series: Portable speakers with built-in LED lights
- Xtreme series: Mid-range portable waterproof speakers
- Soundgear series: Wearable speakers that sit on your neck
Home Speakers
- C series: In-ceiling and in-wall loudspeakers
- Control series: Indoor/outdoor speakers
- Horizon series: Bluetooth clock radio speakers
- Link series: Voice-activated speakers
- Stage series: Loudspeakers
Party Speakers
- PartyBox series: Bluetooth speakers with built-in lights
Recent Updates
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We added the JBL Go 4 as an alternative option in the 'Best Cheap JBL Speaker' category for anyone looking for a very small speaker that still sounds good.
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Aug 19, 2024: We've replaced the JBL Clip 4 with the JBL Clip 5 as our cheap pick due to improved sound enhancement and Bluetooth multi-device pairing. We've also added the JBL Xtreme 4 as a more portable alternative to the JBL Boombox 3. While we tested the JBL PartyBox Club 120, it doesn't represent as much value as our other picks, so we removed mention of it.
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May 21, 2024: We've checked our picks and the contents of this article and have made no changes. However, we've added a mention of the JBL PartyBox Club 120, which is currently in testing.
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Mar 22, 2024: We've checked this article to ensure all our picks remain in stock and relevant but have made no changes. We've updated the lineup section to include the Authentics series.
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Jan 25, 2024: We've checked to ensure all products are still in stock and made minor changes to the text to ensure it's accurate and up-to-date.
Conclusion
If you're looking for the best JBL speaker, they offer many speakers for many uses, from small and compact portable speakers to larger and more powerful party speakers. Generally, JBL speakers have a neutral sound profile, but many older models don't have graphic EQs to customize their sound based on your preferences. Their well-built, portable Bluetooth speakers are ideal for bringing with you on the go, but you probably can't use them with voice assistants, even through your paired smartphone.