REASONS TO BUY
Super-portable
Waterproof
Great battery life
REASONS TO AVOID
Sound quality diminishes significantly at higher volumes
JBL Clip 4 Review
This mega-portable, waterproof, and durable speaker is perfectly at home on hikes, bike rides, out on the lake, or in the shower
This speaker has mediocre sound quality but still sounds impressive considering its size.
Credit: Jason Peters
RELATED: Best Bluetooth Speaker
Our Verdict
The JBL Clip 4 is a rough and tumble go-anywhere option for folks who want a soundtrack to accompany their lives. For its size, this speaker sounds good, and its IP67 rating ensures it will survive an accidental submersion, while its handy built-in clip helps prevent it from falling in the water in the first place. Perfectly at home clipped to a backpack or strapped to a paddleboard, it's ready for all forms of adventurous fun. Its battery lasted over a full day in our tests, too. This speaker's small size limits its audio performance, and we weren't impressed with the sound quality at higher volumes. When we didn't crank it, this speaker sounds satisfactory for its size, and we're happy with the compromise. See how it measures up versus competitors in our article on the top-rated bluetooth speakers.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product JBL Clip 4 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best for Travel |  Best Bang for Your Buck | Strong Value on a Tight Budget | ||
| Price | $80 List $39.95 at Amazon | $130 List $109.95 at Amazon | $100 List $109.99 at Amazon | $51 List $50.99 at Amazon | $37 List $36.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Conveniently small and light, this speaker sounds excellent for its size, and its clip feature makes it easy to take anywhere | A great balance of sound quality, portability, and price | Waterproof, impact-resistant, and compact, this speaker is capable of accompanying you on all your adventures | While this speaker can't match the sound quality of its more expensive competitors, it's still a good option at an attractive price | A good, inexpensive option for those that want something waterproof |
| Rating Categories | JBL Clip 4 | JBL Flip 5 | Ultimate Ears Wonde... | Anker Soundcore 3 | Tribit XSound Go |
| Sound Quality (40%) | |||||
| Portability (25%) | |||||
| Volume (20%) | |||||
| Battery Life (15%) | |||||
| Specs | JBL Clip 4 | JBL Flip 5 | Ultimate Ears Wonde... | Anker Soundcore 3 | Tribit XSound Go |
| Dimensions (in x in x in) | 1.8" x 3.4" x 5.3" | 3.64" x 3.6" x 8.5" | 3.68" x 3.68" x 4.02" | 6.9" x 2.4" x 2.2" | 6.7" x 2.3" x 2.2" |
| Inputs and Charging Ports | USB-C port | Micro USB port | Micro USB port | USB-C port | Charging port, Micro-USB, 3.5mm auxillary input |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 | IP67 | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Reported Weight (ounces) | 8.48 oz | 19.04 oz | 15.04 oz | 13.12 oz | 13.4 oz |
| Measured Weight | 8.13 oz | 19 oz | 14.9 oz | 17.8 oz | 13.4 oz |
| Wireless Range (feet) | Not Listed | Not Listed | 100 | 66 | 66 |
| Reported Battery Life (hours) | 10 | 12 | 13 | 24 | 24 |
| Measured Battery Life (hours) | 27 | 27 | 13 | 16.75 | 18.5 |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The JBL Clip 4 sounds awesome for its size and is hands down our favorite super portable speaker. It weighs less than any speaker in our tests, and despite Its diminutive stature, it still produces surprisingly high-quality sounds, all while being relatively affordable. For those who need a constant soundtrack for their active lives, the Clip 4 can go anywhere you do, be it the beach, the boat, the mountain, or just the shower.
Performance Comparison
This speaker is perfect to take in the news during a morning shower, or crank out the jams and get psyched for your day.
Credit: Laura Casner
Sound Quality
Just hearing the Clip 4 isn't going to blow any minds. It offers decently rich sound at medium volumes. The lows are punchy, and the highs sound crisp and well-articulated, but this starts to unravel a bit when we push the speaker at high volumes, with the bass becoming mushy and drowning out the highs (a common issue with smaller speakers). Listening while looking at this tiny speaker ratchets up the wow factor significantly, as it sounds incredible when you realize how small and portable it actually is.
The clip feature is handy for keeping the speaker out of the dirt and close to ear level.
Credit: Laura Casner
Portability
Weighing in at 8.48 ounces, the JBL Clip 4 is actually a little heavier than the previous version, but it remains the lightest option in the lineup. It's also the smallest, with its disk shape measuring 1.8" x 3.4" x 5.3". We wouldn't hesitate to clip this model to the front of paddleboard or the handlebars of a beach cruiser. That's what this speaker is designed for and where it really thrives. It has an IP67 rating, meaning it can withstand splashes and short-term submersion up to a meter for under a half hour. You can't swim with it, but it's perfectly reasonable to take it on a kayak or use it at the beach or in the shower.
The namesake clip features some improvements over the previous version. The hinge that was a point of failure in the past is now closer to the body of the speaker and seems more durable, and the entire clip-point is larger than before.
This speaker literally fits in the palm of your hand, and the clip feature gives you plenty of options for hanging it where it will sound the best.
Credit: Jason Peters
Volume
This speaker has a very impressive max volume and projection capabilities for its size. We measured a respectable 83.4 decibels from 5 feet away while operating at 75% of the max volume, but that quickly degrades to 64.7 decibels at 30 feet. Needless to say, the Clip 4 is more suited to a post-pandemic world where we can all be a little closer together. If your party around the picnic blanket is less than 8, you'll likely be satisfied. For a more spread-out situation, we suggest something bigger to get greater volume.
While you can hang it anywhere, this speaker is too tiny to entertain the whole tennis court.
Credit: Laura Casner
Battery Life
JBL gives a conservative claim of 10 hours of battery life for the Clip 4. Our testing says otherwise, with our Clip 4 lasting a respectable 27 hours when played at 75% of max volume. This is plenty for a few hours of music in the evening during a weekend of camping, with time to spare for mid-day jams out on the lake. When it finally does run out of juice, you can give it a quick charge with the included USB-C cable.
Value
This isn't a particularly inexpensive speaker, but it doesn't sound like one either. Don't think the gimmicky clip feature is all that the Clip 4 has going for it. This speaker's audio quality and durability make it a good value for someone on the go.
This speaker easily comes along on hikes, and you can clip it outside your pack so all of your party can enjoy your tunes.
Credit: Jason Peters
Conclusion
While the JBL Clip 4 isn't likely to pique the interest of any true audiophiles, everyone else is sure to enjoy the portability and convenience of this speaker. It's an excellent and durable option for someone who's notoriously hard on their gear and wants to bring the party vibes everywhere they go this summer.
—
Michelle Powell and Matt Bento
You Might Also Like
