Key Takeaways
- The JBL Go 4 is a compact and punchy portable speaker with Bluetooth 5.3V.
- It provides great sound quality and rugged design at an affordable price point.
- It features IP67 certification, Auracast connectivity, and eco-friendly material composition.
The JBL Go 4 is the latest iteration of JBL’s small portable speaker line. It provides a punchy sound at a great price point. Its compact size makes it an excellent choice for those who like to travel with tunes.
JBL Go 4
The JBL Go 4 is a punchy portable-sized speaker with Bluetooth 5.3V and LE audio.
- Small portable size
- Great sound quality
- Affordable price point
- Very short charging cord
- 3 hour recharging time
Price and Availability
The JBL Go 4 portable speaker is priced at $49.95 and is available for purchase on the JBL website as well as retailers such as Amazon.
It is available in multiple colors, including white, black, purple, red, blue, and black/purple.
What’s in the Box
The JBL Go 4 comes with everything you need to start enjoying your music, including the following:
- JBL Go 4 Bluetooth speaker
- USB lighting charging cable
- Quick start guide
In alignment with the company’s environmental goals, the packaging for the JBL Go 4 is composed of FDC-certified paper that is printed on using soy ink.
Stand Out Features
This pocket-sized portable Bluetooth speaker packs a powerful punch. While its small size, rugged design, and carrying loop all add to its great composition, it truly shines with its robust sound quality and ability to connect to JBL Auracast.
Auracast allows some JBL speakers to connect all to one source, thereby creating a multi-speaker experience all through an easy-on-device connection button. Auracast and the JBL Portable app are available through the Apple app store or the Google Play store for Android users.
The JBL Go 4 is IP67-certified waterproof and dustproof, meaning that the speaker is protected from dust over an extended period of time and can remain water-resistant while submerged in water for up to 30 minutes and 3 meters of depth. It is also comprised of recycled plastic and fabric to make it more environmentally friendly.
User Experience
Overall, the JBL Go 4 readily outshone its predecessor, the JBL Go 3. I have been using the Go 3 for over a year now and didn’t expect to see a large improvement in the Go 4—I was very wrong. I was surprised at the speaker’s overall better design and composition. The more squared-off edges, with the similar fabric mesh and plastic composition, seem to hold up better than the more rounded design of the Go 3.
More importantly, the sound quality of the Go 4 far surpasses that of the Go 3. It provides much more depth to the bass while still providing an impressively loud output. Often, with small portable speakers, the sound quality can become washed out as higher volume settings are utilized. I did not encounter this problem with the JBL Go 4, which was a pleasant surprise, as that was one of my biggest complaints with the Go 3.
The battery life of the JBL Go 4 is reported to be between seven and nine hours, depending on whether you use the Playtime Boost Mode, which optimizes performance for maximum longevity. I found this to be fairly accurate for playtime, and recharging times were slightly longer than those of most portable speakers of the same size, at around three hours.
It surprised me that I preferred the sound of the JBL Go 4 over the JBL Xtreme 4, which is one of JBL’s top-line larger portable speaker options. The JBL Go 4 was just that impressive.
Drawbacks to Consider
It is hard to find fault with this small portable speaker. The JBL Go 4 provides excellent sound quality for the size of the speaker itself, especially at its price point.
I will say there are better-sounding portable speakers on the market, so it is not the highest-quality and most robust sound available. However, in order to achieve that sound, the speaker’s travel-sized composition must be sacrificed, as does the low price point. If you want sound quality over portability, maybe consider a larger portable speaker such as the Soundcore Boom 2.
Also, keep in mind that the speaker’s charging cord is very short and does not come with a charging block. It also took around three hours to recharge, which is slightly longer than the JBL Go 3, which could recharge in 30 minutes less.
Should You Buy the JBL Go 4?
Overall, at a price point of under $50, the JBL Go 4 is an excellent choice if you are looking for a portable speaker with a good depth of sound and solid construction. If you plan to take your tunes on the go, consider this speaker a great option. Its carrying strap makes it easy to attach to any cooler to take to the beach or on your next hike.
JBL Go 4
The JBL Go 4 is a punchy portable-sized speaker with Bluetooth 5.3V and LE audio.
