The JBL Pulse 4 is a portable Bluetooth speaker with eye-catching RGB lights wrapped around the device. You can customize different colors and patterns in its companion app to set the mood as you listen to your favorite tunes. It's small and lightweight, and its IPX7 rating for water resistance is handy if you plan to bring it outside. That said, it doesn't offer as many features as the next-gen JBL Pulse 5.
Our Verdict
The JBL Pulse 4 has an acceptable performance for music. With its balanced mid-range, this speaker reproduces voices and lead instruments with clarity and accuracy. That said, it lacks low bass, even compared to other smaller speakers, so you miss out on the thump and rumble in bass-heavy genres. There aren't any customization tools on hand for its sound, either.
- 11.5 hour battery life.
- Supports multi-device pairing.
- Lacks low bass.
- No sound customization tools.
This speaker isn't really meant for watching movies. Still, you can use it to check out videos on a paired smartphone. Dialogue is pretty clearly reproduced, though you don't get a cinematic rumble in the bass range. Plus, it's not really loud enough to fill bigger rooms with sound.
- Supports multi-device pairing.
- Lacks low bass.
- No sound customization tools.
The JBL Pulse 4 is good for podcasts. Thanks to its balanced mids, dialogue is pretty clearly and accurately reproduced, making it easy to follow along with your favorite shows. You can bring it from room to room for longer episodes, thanks to its portable design. That said, its sound profile doesn't have any customization features.
- 11.5 hour battery life.
- Supports multi-device pairing.
- No sound customization tools.
This speaker doesn't support voice assistants.
The JBL Pulse 4 is satisfactory for outdoor use. This small, lightweight speaker is easy to bring around wherever you go, and its over 11-hour battery life keeps the party going well into the night. Plus, it's rated IPX7 for water resistance, so it's protected a bit against the elements. That said, it doesn't get loud enough to fill larger, more open spaces like a backyard with sound.
- IPX7 rating for water resistance.
- 11.5 hour battery life.
- Lacks low bass.
- No sound customization tools.
Changelog
- Updated Sep 04, 2024: We've updated the Battery scores and text, as we've reevaluated how the Battery Life, Charge Time, and Power Saving scores are weighted. We've also updated the relevant usage boxes that were affected by this recalculation.
- Updated Feb 16, 2024: Updated review text for consistency. No changes in test results.
- Updated Mar 08, 2023: Added market comparison with the JBL Pulse 5 to the App box.
- Updated Dec 19, 2022: Changed Track Next/Previous from No to Forward Only (Physical).
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The JBL Pulse 4 comes in two color variants: 'Black' and 'White.' Both variants have 360-degree RGB lights surrounded by a transparent plastic cover. We tested the 'White' variant; you can see the label for the model we tested here. We expect both variants listed to perform similarly in tests.
If you encounter a variant not mentioned here, let us know in the comments so we can update our review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The JBL Pulse 4 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that stands out thanks to its "pulsing" RGB lights, which you can customize to suit your mood. It has a similar design to the next generation JBL Pulse 5, though it doesn't have as many features, like a graphic EQ for sound customization. It also lacks a lot of low bass, even compared with other portable speakers.
See also our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers, and the best JBL speakers.
The JBL Pulse 5 is the next generation of the JBL Pulse 4 and is the better speaker overall. While both speakers have similar designs with built-in RGB lights, the Pulse 5 has some extra features, such as ambient noise settings and a graphic EQ in the app. It's also able to reproduce a bit more low-bass than the 4. However, the 5 doesn't have play/pause or volume controls on the device like the 4, so you have to control those settings through the app, which isn't always ideal.
The JBL Flip 5 and the JBL Pulse 4 are similarly performing speakers with slightly different features. The Pulse has fewer compression artifacts present at max volume, and it comes with customizable RGB lights. Its soundstage is also perceived as more open, and its battery lasts longer. However, the FLIP has a better build quality and is more portable, thanks to its removable carrying strap that lets you easily bring it with you on the go.
The JBL Pulse 4 is a better speaker than the JBL Charge 4. While the Charge can reproduce a more extended low-bass, the Pulse has a more balanced sound profile, and its soundstage is perceived as more open. It also has customizable RGB lights and a unique transparent design. That said, the Charge has a slightly longer battery life, as well as less latency over Bluetooth, although some apps compensate differently for this.
The JBL Charge 5 is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Pulse 4. The Charge 5 is better built and has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, certifying it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. It can also get louder and offers a better-balanced sound profile that can produce deeper bass than the Pulse 4. However, the Pulse 4 comes with customizable RGB lights and offers a more natural-sounding soundstage thanks to its 360-degree design.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
