The JBL Xtreme 4 is the next iteration of the Xtreme line of rugged, portable speakers. It succeeds the JBL Xtreme 3, keeping many of the same tried-and-tested features, like an IP67 rating for protection against dust and submersion in water and a rugged, detachable carrying strap. Improvements come in the form of a longer continuous battery life (advertised at 24 hours) and Auracast support, so you can connect a number of compatible JBL devices for a huge party sound.
Our Verdict
The JBL Xtreme 4 is satisfactory for music. Its small, compact design means that it can't produce as much low-end as larger speakers, so kicks and basslines err towards sounding punchy over rumbly. While its treble response is an improvement on the last generation, it still lacks air and brightness. The detailed mid-range does a great job of rendering vocals and lead instruments, though. There's also some scope to tweak the sound via the graphic EQ and presets in the companion app. While it can get pretty loud, there's quite a bit of compression as you approach max volume, and its stereo playback capabilities are undermined somewhat by its unremarkable directivity.
- Impressive 27-hour battery life.
- Graphic EQ and presets in app.
- Directivity isn't great.
- Some compression at max volume.
The JBL Xtreme 4 is passable for videos and movies. It lacks the low-end response needed to inject excitement into action-packed sequences and explosions, but the detailed mid-range helps enhance the clarity of dialogue. It can get loud enough for impromptu viewing parties, though you'll need to watch out for compression as you crank the volume up. Its latency with Bluetooth and iOS devices is mediocre, however, so you could experience some lip-sync issues. Different devices and apps compensate for this differently.
- Impressive 27-hour battery life.
- Portable design with carrying strap.
- Directivity isn't great.
- Mediocre latency performance with iOS and Android.
The JBL Xtreme 4 is decent for listening to podcasts. It does a great job of rendering speech clearly, thanks to the detailed mid-range reproduction. It can also get loud enough for you to hear your favorite podcasts from across the room. Although there's some compression as you crank the volume, it's mainly concentrated in the bass range. While it's easily carried from room to room, you'll need to be careful about positioning yourself in front of the speaker as its directivity isn't the best.
- Impressive 27-hour battery life.
- Portable design with carrying strap.
- Directivity isn't great.
- Some compression at max volume.
The JBL Xtreme 4 doesn't feature any voice assistant capabilities, so it's not suitable for this use.
The JBL Xtreme 4 is very good for outdoor use. The combination of its IP67 rating and 27-hour battery life means it'll survive freak showers and dusty roads without needing to recharge for some time. While it's not as portable as speakers like the JBL Clip 5, it can still easily be thrown into a camping backpack or weekend bag. It can get loud enough to soundtrack smaller outdoor events, although the bass-range tends to compress as you approach max volume. Its mediocre directivity means that it doesn't sound consistent from every angle, so you'll need to be thoughtful with how you set it up.
- Impressive 27-hour battery life.
- IP67 rating against dust and water damage.
- Portable design with carrying strap.
- Graphic EQ and presets in app.
- Directivity isn't great.
- Some compression at max volume.
Changelog
- Updated Oct 16, 2024: This review has been updated to mention the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus in the Dynamics section.
- Updated Aug 01, 2024: Review published.
- Updated Jul 29, 2024: Early access published.
- Updated Jul 23, 2024: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The JBL Xtreme 4 comes in three color variants: 'Blue,' 'Black', and 'Black Camo.' We tested the 'Black Camo' variant but expect other color variants to perform similarly. You can see our unit's label here. If you encounter another variant of this speaker, let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The JBL Xtreme 4 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that boasts an impressive 27-hour battery life and an IP67 rating against dust and water damage. However, there's not too much to differentiate it from its predecessor, the JBL Xtreme 3, beyond its improved battery life, Auracast support, and the inclusion of Bluetooth version 5.3. Its compact design makes it more convenient to lug around than the JBL Boombox 3, though the Boombox has a more balanced sound and can get louder with less compression. Users who don't need as much volume but want something even more portable can look into the lightweight JBL Flip 6.
See our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best portable Bluetooth speakers, and the best Bluetooth speakers for bass.
The JBL Boombox 3 and the JBL Xtreme 4 share a similar look that's derived from their distant ancestor: the original boombox. For all intents and purposes, the Xtreme 4 is a paired-down version of the Boombox 3 that sacrifices a more balanced sound and dynamics performance for a smaller footprint and lighter construction. The Boombox 3 is three times heavier and takes up too much space to fit in most bags. However, opting for the larger speaker rewards you with richer bass and smoother highs, as well as a louder max volume with less compression. The two have a very similar battery life, though the Boombox 3 requires AC power to charge, as opposed to the Xtreme 4, which can charge via USB.
The JBL Xtreme 4 is the latest version of the JBL Xtreme 3 and features small upgrades that can be significant to some users. The biggest upgrade comes in the form of a 27-hour battery life that doubles that of its predecessor. There's also support for Auracast, so you can pair other compatible speakers, as well as support for Bluetooth version 5.3. Beyond this, there are marginal improvements in frequency response and dynamics. Both speakers are rated IP67 for protection against dust damage and can be submersed in water, meaning they're both great choices for bringing with you to the great outdoors.
The JBL Xtreme 4 and Bose SoundLink Max are both stylish and durable portable speakers with modern features. That said, the Bose is a better choice for most use cases, unless you plan on taking advantage of the JBL's longer battery life to take long hikes or own other JBL speakers you'd like to pair with. While the two speakers are similarly portable, the Bose has a more balanced sound overall, with a more prominent bass range and better directivity. It also features an aux input and lower latency with iOS and Android devices. That said, the JBL's 27 hours of battery life can't be overlooked, as it's almost double that of the Bose, and will surely be a deciding factor for users that value multi-day performance.
For most people the JBL Xtreme 4 beats out the Sony ULT FIELD 5, but it may depend on quality of life differences. The JBL manages to nearly double the battery life of the Sony, and yet, it weighs noticeably less at 2.1 kg (4.7 lbs), compared to the Sony at 3.3 kg (7.3 lbs). Despite the lighter weight, both reach comparable max output volumes, and build quality is similar: both are rated IP67 against dust and water. You can tweak the tuning on either using the EQ in-app, with the JBL sounding a bit weaker in the bass (by default), but more even in the mids, while the Sony boosts high-bass and treble for a more excited sound. The Sony has lower latency, and it supports LDAC for higher-quality audio streaming, and it has RGB lighting, which you might like. Its 'Stamina' mode disables tuning features and extends the battery life considerably. It'll also float, unlike the JBL.
Test Results
The JBL Xtreme 4 has a very similar design to its predecessor, the JBL Xtreme 5. In terms of size, it's somewhere between the compact JBL Charge 5 and the heftier JBL Boombox 3. It can be placed either horizontally or vertically and there's two discreet hooks on top to attach a carrying strap. It's available in three color variants: 'Blue', 'Black' and 'Black Camo'.
This small speaker is lightweight enough to carried around in one hand. While it's marginally heavier than the JBL Xtreme 3, there's a handy removable carrying strap that can be used to make it even more portable.
This speaker has a great build quality. As with the last iteration, it's rated IP67, meaning it's dust-tight and can be immersed in water for up to 30 minutes. The whole speaker is wrapped in tight mesh for a sturdy feel and the bass radiators on either side seem similarly solid. There are two low-profile hooks on the top of the speaker that can be used to attach a carrying strap, which also features a built-in bottle opener.
The controls are straightforward and easy to use. The buttons themselves are responsive, with a good amount of give to let you know you've entered a command. There's a play button, a Bluetooth connection button, a power button, and a multi-speaker button for linking multiple PartyBoost or Auracast-compatible speakers. There are also dedicated buttons for volume up and down. Furthermore, there's an LED bar that indicates the battery level and charging status. The play/pause button is multi-function: you can press once to play/pause, press twice to skip a track, and press three times to skip back. There's audio feedback when you hit max volume (a chime), as well as visual feedback in the form of LEDs that light up when a function is engaged.
- JBL Xtreme 4 speaker
- Carrying strap
- AC adapter with USB-C connection cable
- Quick Start guide and safety information
When placed horizontally and with the default JBL Signature EQ, this speaker's frequency response is fairly similar to the JBL Xtreme 3, with balanced mids that help reproduce vocals and speech clearly. Though there's a dip in the treble response, it's not quite as veiled as the previous iteration, which adds some high-end sparkle to mixes. Due to its small size, there's not much in the way of rumble or thump in the low-end, though, so you'll want to opt for a larger speaker if you want the kicks in EDM songs to really shift some air. While the graphic EQ and presets in the app can't do much to amp up the bass, they do give you some scope to adjust the sound to your preferences.
The soundstage performance is decent. This speaker can play stereo content without downmixing to mono, which lets you hear a degree of separation between the left and right channels in your favorite songs. While its directivity isn't bad, audio doesn't sound as consistent across different listening angles as with other speakers with 360-degree designs.
The JBL Xtreme 4 has an okay dynamics performance. While it can get pretty loud for its size, there's quite a bit of compression at max volume that impacts audio clarity as you crank up the volume. This is particularly evident in the bass range, where you'll hear some pumping artifacts in transient-heavy music, like techno or EDM. If you're looking for a similarly portable speaker that compresses less at max volume, it's worth looking at the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus.
The battery life performance is amazing. The manufacturer advertises 24 hours of battery life but was able to achieve a little over 27 hours in testing. While it scores lower than the JBL Xtreme 3, it's worth noting that the battery life is over double the length. This speaker's battery life performance is hampered by its longer charge time. That said, if you don't mind plugging it in for a few hours between charges, you'll be rewarded with all-day battery life and then some. There's also a power-saving feature that switches the speaker off after 20 minutes of inactivity, as well as a 'Playtime Boost' feature in the app that can help extend the battery life.
The JBL Portable app is very good and gives you control over a few parameters that you can't adjust via the physical controls, like adjusting the graphic EQ or presets. There's even a 'Playtime Boost' function that helps prolong the battery life. You can also pair another compatible speaker to form a stereo pair or pair one or more compatible speakers via PartyBoost (for older JBL speakers) or Auracast (for new JBL speakers equipped with Bluetooth 5.2 or above) for a multi-speaker experience.
This speaker doesn't have any ports beyond the USB-C port that's used for charging. That said, you can also use the port to charge other devices using the speaker's battery.
This speaker features Bluetooth multipoint compatibility, so you can connect with up to two devices at one time, in case you and a friend want to share tune selection privileges. Latency with both Android and iOS devices isn't bad, but it's possible you'll experience some lip-sync issues between the audio and visuals if you're using this speaker to watch videos. That said, different apps and devices compensate for latency differently.