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.
- Incredibly portable.
- Companion app includes EQ.
- Can pair to a second speaker of the same model, or group with other compatible Auracast speakers.
- Downmixes stereo audio to mono.
- Can't be paired with previous generation speakers.
- Compression at high volumes.
- 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.
- Incredibly portable.
- Companion app includes EQ.
- Can pair to a second speaker of the same model, or group with other compatible Auracast speakers.
- Latency can cause audio/visual mismatch.
- Downmixes stereo audio to mono.
- Can't be paired with previous generation speakers.
- 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.
- Incredibly portable.
- Companion app includes EQ.
- Can't be paired with previous generation speakers.
- 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.
- Incredibly portable.
- IP67 rating against dust and water.
- Can pair to a second speaker of the same model, or group with other compatible Auracast speakers.
- Can't be paired with previous generation speakers.
- Compression at high volumes.
- Can't get very loud.
Changelog
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Updated Jan 30, 2026:
The Portability section was updated to mention the JBL Grip.
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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.
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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.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
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.
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.
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 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.
Test Results
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