The JBL Go 4 is a palm-sized speaker meant to go with you anywhere. As the update to the previous JBL Go 3, it adds a companion app to expand its utility and sonic possibilities with EQ. A longer battery life and a greater Bluetooth range come as welcomed upgrades. You can also mate it with other JBL speakers with Auracast to expand your audio experience. So, is this portable speaker the right pick for on-the-go?
Our Verdict
The JBL Go4 is sub-par for listening to music. Due to its small size, its frequency response rolls off bass frequencies, so your audio doesn't have as much low-end oomph as expected. It also downmixes stereo mixes to mono, meaning you won't get to enjoy channel separation unless you add a second compatible speaker. Lower frequencies also compress quite a bit at elevated volumes, which negatively impacts the dynamics of your music. That said, its companion app has an EQ to help out the tuning, but it can't overcome the speaker's inherent limitations that prevent it from reproducing the full frequency spectrum.
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Incredibly portable.
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Companion app includes EQ.
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Can pair to a second speaker of the same model, or group with other compatible Auracast speakers.
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Downmixes stereo audio to mono.
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Can't be paired with previous generation speakers.
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Compression at high volumes.
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Can't get very loud.
The JBL Go4 is disappointing for videos and movies. It downmixes everything to mono, and it lacks low-end (because of its small size), so action scenes with explosions don't sound immersive. At high volumes, it also compresses a lot in the lower frequencies, which negatively impacts the audio's dynamics. Plus, the latency is high enough to notice lipsync mismatch, although this can vary with different devices and apps.
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Incredibly portable.
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Companion app includes EQ.
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Can pair to a second speaker of the same model, or group with other compatible Auracast speakers.
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Latency can cause audio/visual mismatch.
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Downmixes stereo audio to mono.
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Can't be paired with previous generation speakers.
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Compression at high volumes.
The JBL Go 4 is a decent podcast speaker. Its small size means you can tote it from room to room or with you to tune in to your favorite show on the balcony with a morning coffee. It reproduces the frequencies of the human voice well, and if necessary, you can adjust the EQ in the companion app. You can also pair it to a second device if you want to seamlessly switch from your PC to your phone. However, if you're trying to blast your podcast so it'll project to the other end of a hallway, it doesn't get exceedingly loud.
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Incredibly portable.
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Companion app includes EQ.
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Can't be paired with previous generation speakers.
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Compression at high volumes.
The JBL Go4 doesn't have a microphone, so it's not capable of supporting a voice assistant.
The JBL Go 4 is a pocket-sized speaker that's decent for outdoor use. Its durable build quality, with an IP67 rating against dust and water, and floating design mean you can take it with you on adventures. Its battery lasts just shy of seven hours, which is enough for an afternoon at the beach, but the battery life is still limited by its size, though 'Playtime Boost' is meant to extend the battery life. With a long Bluetooth range and dual device connectivity, alongside app support with features like EQ, you can customize the outdoor experience and share DJ duties with a friend. You can also add another of the same model to create a stereo pair or group it with other JBL Auracast-compatible speakers. That said, it's not capable of outputting full-sounding bass because of its size, and at high volumes, bass frequencies compress considerably, which impacts the quality of your audio.
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Incredibly portable.
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IP67 rating against dust and water.
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Can pair to a second speaker of the same model, or group with other compatible Auracast speakers.
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Can't be paired with previous generation speakers.
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Compression at high volumes.
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Can't get very loud.
- 5.9 Music
- 5.3 Videos/Movies
- 7.4 Podcasts
- 2.8 Voice Assistant
- 7.1 Outdoors
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Updated Nov 15, 2024:
We added a reference to the Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go in the Build Quality box.
- Updated Oct 07, 2024: The Battery section has been updated to mention the Anker Soundcore Select 2S.
- Updated Sep 24, 2024: Review published.
- Updated Sep 17, 2024: Early access published.
- Updated Aug 20, 2024: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Aug 12, 2024: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Aug 07, 2024: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The JBL Go 4 comes in nine different color variants. We expect each colorway to perform the same as our 'Purple' unit (see label). The other colors are 'White,' 'Black,' 'Pink,' 'Squad,' 'Black and Orange,' 'Red,' 'Blue,' and 'Sand.' If you come across another variant, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Speakers
The JBL Go 3 is the previous generation model, and it's a bit more basic, lacking a companion app and accompanying features like EQ. The sound hasn't changed too much between the last generation and the JBL Go 4, but you can use the added Auracast feature to pair the Go 4 with other Auracast-compatible speakers. That said, the Go 4 isn't backward compatible, so you can't pair it with a past model. You get an extra couple of hours of battery life from the Go 4, which is a worthwhile top-up.
The slightly bigger JBL Clip 5 is also very portable and comes with an arguably more useful built-in clip to secure it to your bag. The main differences are that the Clip 5 is capable of reproducing a bit more bass and is engineered with better directivity than the Go 4. However, the Go 4 is lighter and will more easily fit into a pocket, which is nice for taking your music with you, and it can float if it falls into a lake or pool. Still, if you can forego EQ, the Sony SRS-XB100 boasts a much longer battery life than the Go 4, letting you leave the charger at home.
Check out the best portable Bluetooth speakers and the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers for your outdoor adventures. Consider the best Bluetooth speakers under $100 to get the most for your cash.
The JBL Go 4 is better than the JBL Go 3, though they're quite similar. The Go 4 has a longer battery life and adds companion app support alongside Auracast to connect to multiple compatible speakers at a time. At high volumes, the Go 3 compresses a little less, but the difference is not worth picking the Go 3 instead.
Both the JBL Go 4 and JBL Clip 5 are very portable IP67-rated speakers with app support and Auracast. Which is better depends on how you want to use them because The Go 4 is a bit smaller and easier to pocket, but the carabiner on the Clip 5 offers a secure attachment to bags. The Go 4 can also float and its battery life is a bit longer. That said, the Clip 5 has a more consistent sound across angles and a bit better bass extension. It compresses audio more at high volumes than the Go 4, though.
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 Sony SRS-XB100 and JBL Go 4 are both very portable speakers with IP67 ratings, but otherwise, they have different strengths. The Sony has nearly three times the battery life of the JBL and a better low-end extension. It also has better directivity and a voice assistant, even if the support is rather basic. That said, the JBL's shape fits easier into pockets and has a more useful app that includes an EQ. However, the battery life can't compete with the Sony.
The Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go is slightly larger than the JBL Go 4. If tiny is what you need, the JBL is the way to go. On the other hand, if you're looking for better sound quality in a still very portable package, the Anker is the better pick. The Anker has a longer battery life than the JBL, gets louder with less compression at high volumes, and has a more balanced treble range that renders sounds like cymbals accurately and with detail.
The JBL Go 4 and the Anker Soundcore Select 2S are both good options if you're looking for a portable speaker on a budget. While the JBL has greater portability and a more rugged build quality going for it, its battery life is considerably shorter than the Anker's, and it outputs even less bass. Both speakers feature sound customization options via their respective companion apps, though this won't help you overcome sound limitations that stem from their design.
Test Results
The speaker is a pint-sized rectangular speaker with rounded edges and a big 'JBL' badge on the front. Our 'Purple' unit utilizes tonal shades of purple with red accents to make the logo pop. It's mostly covered in a tightly wrapped fabric with silicone sides and a fabric loop. With nine color choices, there's a shade for every style, from highly visible, monochromatic 'Red' to camo-clad 'Squad.'
The JBL Go 4 is exceptionally portable. You can hold it single-handedly or even fit it into a jacket pocket. Its small loop strap can be connected to a bag if you have a carabiner to clip it.
The JBL Go 4 has excellent build quality. The IP67 rating ensures dust resistance and waterproofing in a meter of water for up to 30 minutes. The speaker also floats, which is convenient. Its exterior is wrapped in a tight, durable fabric, with silicone caps and even small feet on the bottom. The small strap is made of burly fabric that feels sturdy and unlikely to tear. That said, the USB-C port is exposed, and there's a bit of flex where the 'L' part of the JBL logo is located. If the exposed port is a concern to you, the Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go also floats but has a silicone flap to seal in its USB port.
The speaker's controls are simple and cover most of the basics of playback and connectivity. The top row buttons are clicky and chime when you reach max volume, powering on and off during Bluetooth pairing. There's no chime when you reach minimum volume. A light flashes while pairing and turns solid white once the speaker has connected over Bluetooth. Unlike the JBL Go 3, this model includes Auracast, which has a dedicated button to add additional compatible JBL speakers. In order to use Auracast, you need to already be paired over Bluetooth before pressing the Auracast button.
Power button:
- Single press: Powers on/off.
Arrow button:
- Single press: Play/pause audio.
- Double-press: Skip forward.
- Triple-press: Skip to previous track.
Bluetooth button:
- Single press: Initiates Bluetooth pairing mode.
Auracast button:
- Single press: Enter Auracast pairing mode without compatible speakers.
+/- buttons:
- Single press + button: Volume up
- Single press - button: Volume down
The JBL Go 4 prioritizes portability at the expense of accuracy, which is understandable given its pint size. That said, the high-bass through the low-treble retains a reasonably even frequency response that conveys clear speech and lead instruments well. If you need a small podcast speaker, this one reproduces the essentials of human speech well. Unsurprisingly, the palm-sized speaker lacks a full-bodied low-end response, so EDM tracks won't reproduce the sub-bass synths with much volume. Still, the fundamentals of kick drums come through, even if they lack weight. Normally, the roll-off in the treble range would lead to a lack of harmonic detail in vocals and cymbals, but in this case, the lack of competing bass frequencies means cymbals and vocals still sound somewhat detailed.
The speaker's soundstage is middling. It's a mono speaker that downmixes stereo content, though its size wouldn't lend itself well to discerning L/R channel stereo separation anyhow. Because it's a forward-facing speaker design, your audio sounds a bit different depending on the angle you place it at in relation to you. For a more consistent sound across listening angles without investing in a large speaker, the JBL Clip 5 is worth consideration.
At max volume, the speaker's dynamic range compression is mediocre. It won't get loud enough to fill an open space, and at high volumes, the bass compresses considerably, which is expected for its size. However, for a shower singalong or listening to audiobooks in your kitchen, its output is more than adequate. It compresses more in the bass than the last generation model, the JBL Go 3 at max, so you'll hear compression artifacts and pumping in the low-mids and bass.
The speaker's battery life is reasonable for its small size. In our testing, the battery lasted 6.9 hours, which is nearly the same as the advertised seven hours, and it's longer than the last generation's battery life. It's still not quite on par with other small speakers, like the Anker Soundcore Select 2S, though. However, it has a battery-saving mode to help preserve battery life, and it'll silently power off after 20 minutes of inactivity. You can also access 'Playtime Boost' through the app, which disables EQ, but the manufacturer advertises it as extending the battery life.
New to the Go line-up is app support for the JBL Go 4. The JBL Portable app gives you access to EQ, a game-changer for listening to various media, from podcasts to dance music. The app lets you pair a second JBL Go 4 speaker for a stereo pair, though it's incompatible with previous generation models or JBL's PartyBoost. You can also use Auracast, which has a dedicated button on the speaker, to pair other JBL speakers that also have Auracast together, though.
There's also PlayTime Boost, which alters the sound profile, disables EQ, and extends the battery life. Otherwise, the app has basics for monitoring the battery life, renaming the speaker, and disabling audible feedback when entering commands. Plus, if you encounter issues, you can do a factory reset. Check out a video tour of the app.
The speaker can only connect via Bluetooth. Its USB-A to USB-C cable is for charging the battery.
The Bluetooth connectivity is great. You can connect two devices to the speaker simultaneously, and its range is long enough that you can meander without audio cutting out. However, its latency is high enough that you can experience a mismatch between video and audio, and while it's not extremely high, there's no low latency mode. That said, some devices compensate for latency differently, and your results may vary; plus, it's not a problem if you're only listening to audio.