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JBL Pulse 4 Review

Enrest Walugembe Avatar
Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:27 PM

True Score

76
76
6

Experts

88
3,410

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

Critics liked the JBL Pulse 4 and recommended it for music, podcasts, and the outdoors. They loved its 360-degree customizable RGB lighting, portable design, and remarkably wide sound-stage performance. However, they were disappointed that it does not support stereo and voice assistants.

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$249.95
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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The JBL Pulse 4 is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2019, promising 360-degree LED lighting and outstanding battery life for campers and picnic goers. Equipped with an IPX7 submersible waterproof design, this system is ideal for the outdoors. Check out our best speakers for similar waterproof speakers. It’s battery-powered, offering an impressive 11.5 hours of battery life on a single charge. It runs on Bluetooth 5.1, featuring dual-device pairing and a good 187-foot range. Examine the details of the JBL Pulse 4 below and see how it compares with the best-ranked Bluetooth speakers today.

Consensus

our Verdict

Top experts hailed the JBL Pulse 4, endorsing it for podcasts, music, and the outdoors. Editors at TechRadar hailed its outstanding 0.88 dB directivity index and wide soundstage. However, it has a subdued 83.3 dB maximum SPL, although the 1.99 dB DRC shows good sound quality at the maximum volume. Analysts at Expert Reviewers loved the 2.6-lb portable IPX7 waterproof design and customizable 360-degree RGB lighting. See our iFox iF012 review if you prefer an IP67-rated dustproof and waterproof speaker. The Pulse 4 has a 91.1Hz to 17.5kHz frequency response range, and the high 4.09 dB standard error shows weak bass. See our JBL PartyBox On-The-Go review if you require better bass. Testing revealed a so-so 154 ms iOS Bluetooth latency and 93 ms Android latency. This battery-powered speaker offered a good 11.5-hour battery life during experiments. However, it doesn’t support stereo and lacks voice assistant functionality. See our Kove Commuter 2 review if you prefer stereo speakers. It also lacks an EQ or speakerphone function.

ReasonS to Buy

  • IPX7 water-resistant design
  • Remarkably lightweight, portable construction
  • Customizable 360-degree RGB lighting
  • Outstanding soundstage and good battery life
  • Low sound deterioration rate at the highest volume

Reason to Avoid

  • No speakerphone functions
  • Lacks a graphic EQ
  • Lacks low bass and is not ideal for movie buffs
  • Sub-par frequency response range accuracy out-of-the-box
  • Doesn’t support voice assistant

JBL Pulse 4 Specs

Battery LifeBattery Life12 hrs
Built In MicrophoneBuilt In MicrophoneYes
Charge TimeCharge Time3.5 hrs
SizeSize8.15" (h) x 3.78" (w) x 3.78" (d)
Smart AppSmart AppYes
Speaker PairingSpeaker PairingYes
Water ResistantWater ResistantYes
WattageWattage20W
Wireless RangeWireless Range30 ft

All Specs

Test Results

Battery Life (Hours)11.5
Volume Output (dB)83.3
Low End Roll Off (Hz)142.544
High End Roll Off (Hz)6,639.818

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Product Comparison

JBL Pulse 4 Review

Bose Soundlink Revolve Review

Bose Soundlink Revolve Review

True Score

76
81
83
NR

Ranking

#

85

/

109

#

20

/

109

#

5

/

109

#

/

109

Market Context

The JBL Pulse 4 is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2019, promising 360-degree LED lighting and outstanding battery life for campers and picnic…

The JBL Pulse 4 is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2019, promising 360-degree LED lighting and outstanding battery life for campers and picnic goers. Equipped with an IPX7 submersible waterproof design, this system is ideal for the outdoors. Check out our best speakers for similar waterproof speakers. It’s battery-powered, offering an impressive 11.5 hours of battery life on a single charge. It runs on Bluetooth 5.1, featuring dual-device pairing and a good 187-foot range. Examine the details of the JBL Pulse 4 below and see how it compares with the best-ranked Bluetooth speakers today.

Producing more extended bass, the JBL Xtreme 2 is better for movie and EDM music enthusiasts than the JBL Pulse 4. The Xtreme 2 is…

Producing more extended bass, the JBL Xtreme 2 is better for movie and EDM music enthusiasts than the JBL Pulse 4. The Xtreme 2 is also compatible with smartphone voice assistants, unlike the Pulse speaker. However, the JBL Pulse 4 has customizable RGB lights, unlike the Xtreme 2 speaker. See our JBL Xtreme 2 review for details about the Xtreme speaker.

Unlike the JBL Pulse 4, which has an IPX7-rated waterproof design, the JBL Charge 5 has a better IP67 waterproof and dustproof design. The Charge…

Unlike the JBL Pulse 4, which has an IPX7-rated waterproof design, the JBL Charge 5 has a better IP67 waterproof and dustproof design. The Charge 5 has a louder 88.9 dB maximum SPL than the 83.3 dB maximum SPL of the Pulse 4 speaker. That said, the JBL Pulse 4 speaker has customizable RGB lights, which are lacking on the Charge 5.

Supporting smartphone-based voice assistants, the Bose SoundLink Revolve has more smart features than the JBL Pulse 4, which doesn’t support voice assistants. However, the JBL…

Supporting smartphone-based voice assistants, the Bose SoundLink Revolve has more smart features than the JBL Pulse 4, which doesn’t support voice assistants. However, the JBL device has a better 0.88 dB directivity index, providing a wider soundstage than the Bose SoundLink Revolve, which has a 1.53 dB directivity index.

Battery Life

12 hrs

15 hrs

20+ hrs

Built In Microphone

Yes

Yes

No

Charge Time

3.5 hrs

3.5 hrs

4 hrs

Size

8.15" (h) x 3.78" (w) x 3.78" (d)

5.2" (h) x 11.3" (w) x 5.4" (d)

Smart App

Yes

Yes

JBL Portable

Speaker Pairing

Yes

Yes

Yes

Water Resistant

Yes

Yes

Yes

Wattage

20W

40W

30W

Dig Deeper

JBL Xtreme 2 Review →

JBL Charge 5 Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

76

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

88

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

76

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

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    100.6

    Category Trust Rating

    65
    The JBL Pulse 4 speaker delivers strong sound and a hypnotic LED light show in… Read More

    By:

    Tim Gideon
  • PC Mag
    43.6

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    The JBL Pulse 4 offers an even more eye-catching look than before with the same… Read More

    By:

    John Panoryios
  • Trusted Reviews
    45.5

    Category Trust Rating

    70
    The JBL Pulse 4 is reasonable for outdoor use. It has a sturdy build and… Read More

    By:

    Unknown
  • Techradar
    43

    Category Trust Rating

    70
    A portable rave machine? Or maybe a 21st-century lava lamp? JBL’s latest version of its… Read More

    By:

    Lewis Leong
  • Choice
    44.8

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    “No bottom line found for this product” Read More

    By:

    Unknown
  • Consumer Reports
    15.6

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    “No bottom line found for this product” Read More

    By:

    Unknown

Customer Scores