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JBL Clip 4 Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar
Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:27 PM

True Score

83
80
7

Experts

95
32k

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

Top-tier testers liked how lightweight and portable the JBL Clip 4 was. They were also happy with its build quality and appreciated its balanced sound profile. However, they agreed it struggled with bass depth and were disappointed with its missing WiFi connectivity.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

Announced in late 2020, the JBL Clip 4 is a basic Bluetooth speaker available in about six colors. Its design is reminiscent of a padlock, as it has a carabiner hook that allows owners to hang it onto a backpack or a belt loop. The speaker is more ideal for music than movies, and it has a battery life of up to 10 hours which is pretty standard even among the best speakers in the industry. Weighing only 0.4 pounds, it could be one of the best Bluetooth speakers to consider for portability, especially for people who want to enjoy their music on the go. Its Bluetooth connectivity has a range of 237.9ft, but it can only be paired to one device at a time. If you’d like an alternative that can handle two simultaneous connections, check out our Bose SoundLink Micro review.

Consensus

our Verdict

The JBL Clip 4 had experts delighted with its incredible portability and sturdy build. Product testers from Rtings liked that it was dust and water-resistant, making it well suited for the outdoors. During their tests, it lasted up to 5.5 hours and would only take a short 2.7 hours to get charged. Reviewers from PC Mag were also satisfied with its audio quality, as they noted that the speaker had a balanced sound profile. You won’t be able to adjust its sound quality, but if this sounds like something you’d want to do, then the JBL Charge 5 would be an alternative worth considering. Have a look at it in our JBL Charge 5 review.

Testers were not entirely sold on the JBL Clip 4 due to its lack of WiFI connectivity, missing speakerphone function, and lack of support for a voice assistant. The speaker also struggled with producing low bass and couldn’t play audio in stereo format.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Long battery life
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Sturdy build quality
  • Balanced sound profile
  • Long Bluetooth range

Reason to Avoid

  • No WiFi connectivity
  • No speakerphone function
  • No support for voice assistant

JBL Clip 4 Specs

Battery LifeBattery Life10 hrs
Built In MicrophoneBuilt In MicrophoneNo
Charge TimeCharge Time3 hrs
DepthDepth1.8"
HeightHeight5.3"
IPX RatingIPX RatingIP67
Smart AppSmart Appn/a
Speaker PairingSpeaker Pairingn/a
Water ResistantWater ResistantYes
WattageWattage5W
WidthWidth3.4"
Wireless RangeWireless Range10 m

All Specs

Test Results

Battery Life (Hours)14.1667
Volume Output (dB)81.3
Low End Roll Off (Hz)119.865
High End Roll Off (Hz)10,240

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Product Comparison

JBL Clip 4 Review

True Score

83
81
82
73

Ranking

#

18

/

109

#

48

/

109

#

34

/

109

#

98

/

109

Market Context

Announced in late 2020, the JBL Clip 4 is a basic Bluetooth speaker available in about six colors. Its design is reminiscent of a padlock,…

Announced in late 2020, the JBL Clip 4 is a basic Bluetooth speaker available in about six colors. Its design is reminiscent of a padlock, as it has a carabiner hook that allows owners to hang it onto a backpack or a belt loop. The speaker is more ideal for music than movies, and it has a battery life of up to 10 hours which is pretty standard even among the best speakers in the industry. Weighing only 0.4 pounds, it could be one of the best Bluetooth speakers to consider for portability, especially for people who want to enjoy their music on the go. Its Bluetooth connectivity has a range of 237.9ft, but it can only be paired to one device at a time. If you’d like an alternative that can handle two simultaneous connections, check out our Bose SoundLink Micro review.

Buyers comparing the JBL Clip 4 to the JBL Flip 5 will want to consider that the Clip 4 is much smaller in size and…

Buyers comparing the JBL Clip 4 to the JBL Flip 5 will want to consider that the Clip 4 is much smaller in size and therefore more portable, but the Flip 5 offers a longer 8.2-hour battery life compared to the Flip 4, which has a battery that can last up to 5.5 hours. The Flip 5 also has a companion app, while the Clip 4 does not. Learn more about the Flip 5 through our JBL Flip 5 review.

The JBL Clip 4 has a larger soundstage than the JBL GO 3, and its 5.5-hour batter lasts slightly longer than the 5-hour battery on…

The JBL Clip 4 has a larger soundstage than the JBL GO 3, and its 5.5-hour batter lasts slightly longer than the 5-hour battery on the GO 3. However, the GO 3 charges faster, taking only 2 hours to charge, compared to the Clip 4, which takes up to 2.7 hours. We’ve looked more deeply into it in our JBL GO 3 review.

The JBL Clip 4 does not have a speakerphone functionality and support for a voice assistant, while the Sony SRS-XB13 does. The XB13 also has…

The JBL Clip 4 does not have a speakerphone functionality and support for a voice assistant, while the Sony SRS-XB13 does. The XB13 also has a longer battery life, offering up to 11.5 hours compared to the Clip 4, which only lasts up to 5.5 hours.

Battery Life

10 hrs

12 hrs

5 hrs

16 hrs

Built In Microphone

No

No

Yes

Yes

Charge Time

3 hrs

2.5 hrs

2.5 hrs

4.5 hrs

Depth

1.8"

2.71"

1.6"

Height

5.3"

2.9"

2.7"

IPX Rating

IP67

IPX7

IP67

Smart App

n/a

JBL Portable

n/a

Yes

Speaker Pairing

n/a

Yes

n/a

Yes

Dig Deeper

JBL Flip 5 Review →

JBL Go 3 Review →

Sony SRS-XB13 Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

80

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

95

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

83

Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    100.6

    Category Trust Rating

    57
    Right out-of-the-box, the JBL Clip 4 reproduces voices and lead instruments with clarity and detail,… Read More

    By:

    Tim Gideon
  • Sound Guys
    81.17

    Category Trust Rating

    75
    The JBL Clip 4 is a portable Bluetooth speaker for the masses, and it makes… Read More

    By:

    John Panoryios
  • Techgear Lab
    43.1

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The JBL Clip 4 is a rough and tumble go-anywhere option for folks who want… Read More

    By:

    Lily Katz
  • PC Mag
    43.6

    Category Trust Rating

    70
    The JBL Clip 4 delivers crisp, rich audio, but its best features are its waterproof… Read More

    By:

    JBL
  • CNET
    36.25

    Category Trust Rating

    81
    JBL Clip speakers have always been easy to recommend because they deliver decent sound for… Read More

    By:

    David Carnoy
  • The Gadgeteer
    30.5

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The main purpose of small Bluetooth speakers is convenience. The rugged and waterproof Clip 4… Read More

    By:

    Bill Henderson