The JBL Clip 4 is the fourth generation of the JBL Clip. As its name suggests, it has a built-in carabiner hook to "clip" it onto your bag or backpack while on the go. It has a slightly different design than previous speakers in the Clip lineup, with a more square-like shape. Overall, it's lightweight and portable, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance to protect it against the elements while listening to your favorite music outdoors.
Our Verdict
The JBL Clip 4 is middling for music. It has a slightly bass-heavy sound out of the box, adding punch to the mix. However, voices and lead instruments are slightly muddied, and the speaker can't bring the deep thump and rumble in the low-bass. There aren't any sound customization tools, either.
- Clear reproduction of voices.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- No sound customization features.
The JBL Clip 4 isn't meant for watching videos and movies, but if you pair it to your phone to watch some videos, it can get the job done. Its low latency with iOS and Android devices means you don't notice any lip-synching issues, and audio is in sync with the video on your screen. Dialogue is reproduced with clarity, too. However, it doesn't get very loud, and there isn't a lot of rumble in the bass for action-packed scenes.
- Low latency over Bluetooth.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- Lacks low bass.
The JBL Clip 4 is decent for podcasts. With a clear reproduction of voices in the mix, dialogue is easy to follow, so you don't miss a beat in your favorite shows. Its portable design makes it easy to bring from room to room. That said, it doesn't get very loud, so if you plan to listen in a larger or more open space, you'll want to ensure you're close to the speaker to follow along with your podcasts.
- Portable design.
- Clear reproduction of voices.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- No sound customization features.
This speaker doesn't support voice assistants.
The JBL Clip 4 is acceptable for outdoor use. Overall, this small, lightweight Bluetooth speaker is easy to bring with you, whether on a hike or chilling at the park. It's sturdy and durable, too, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance to protect it against the elements. Since it doesn't get very loud, you'll want to keep it close by when listening to your favorite tunes.
- IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
- Portable design.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- Lacks low bass.
Changelog
- Updated Sep 24, 2024: The Compared To Other Speakers section and
- Updated Aug 15, 2024: We've added a comparison between this speaker and the JBL Clip 5 in Bluetoooth.
- Updated Jan 11, 2024: Updated review text for clarity and consistency. No changes in test results.
- Updated Sep 12, 2023: Added market comparison for the Bushnell Wingman Mini in the App box.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The JBL Clip 4 comes in several color variants: 'Black', 'Blue', 'Gray', 'Green', 'Orange', 'Pink', 'Red', 'Squad', which has a camo motif, 'Teal', 'White', 'Yellow', and 'Blue-Pink'. We tested the black model, and you can see its label here. We expect all color variants to perform similarly to our model.
Also, you can find the Clip 4 Eco series in 'Blue', 'Green', and 'White'. These versions are made of recycled materials.
If you come across another variant, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The JBL Clip 4 is the fourth generation of the JBL Clip. Like other speakers from the Clip lineup, it has a locking mechanism on its top side so you can hook it to objects like bags while you're on the go or outdoors. However, this generation is more square-shaped and has a larger logo on its front. It's a wallet-friendly speaker that lacks more premium features like sound customization, which you find with the Anker Soundcore 3 or JBL Go 4, and its battery life isn't as long-lasting as similarly-priced models like the Sony SRS-XB100.
See also our recommendations for the best portable Bluetooth speakers, the best Bluetooth speakers under $100, and the best golf cart speakers.
The JBL Clip 5 is the next generation of the JBL Clip 4 and comes with a host of improvements while maintaining the formula that has made the Clip series popular. Both speakers are well-built, extremely portable, and IP67-rated. With the new generation, the distinctive carabiner hook has been redesigned to be wider and easier to clip onto things. JBL have also added Bluetooth multi-device pairing, as well as companion app compatibility, so you can tweak the sound via a graphic EQ and presets. The newer version also has a more balanced sound and can get louder, though it compresses more at max volume. For these reasons, it's well worth picking up the Clip 5 over the Clip 4, regardless of your preferred usage.
Both the JBL Go 4 and JBL Clip 4 can be a better choice for you, but it depends on your needs. The Go 4 is a bit smaller and lighter, and it floats if you drop it. Out of the two, it's the only one with a companion app that lets you EQ it, and it includes a bit more battery life. However, the Clip 4's integrated carabiner clip might be more helpful than the small fabric loop on the Go 4. The Clip 4 also has better directivity, providing a more consistent sound at various listening angles, alongside better bass extension. It has lower latency, which makes a difference when watching videos. Although, it compresses your audio more than the Go 4.
The JBL Clip 4 is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Go 3. While both speakers have a great build quality and are very portable, the Clip 4 can reproduce slightly more bass and has a wider soundstage. It also has lower audio latency on iOS and Android, although some apps compensate for this differently. However, the Go 3 can reach max volume with fewer compression artifacts.
The JBL Flip 5 is a better speaker than the JBL Clip 4, though they have different strengths. The Flip 5 can get louder and has a better balanced sound profile that can reproduce a deeper bass than the Clip 4. It also has a longer battery life, lasting over eight hours from a single charge, though this can vary depending on your usage. However, the Clip 4 is smaller and more portable with a built-in carabiner hook. It also has a wider-sounding soundstage than the Flip 5 and is better built.
Test Results
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