ReviewFinder Portable Bluetooth Speakers

JBL Charge 4

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22 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [22]

94
Total expert reviews: 22
  • with a score: 9
  • without a score: 13
Highest score by What Hi-Fi
100
Average score based on 22 reviews
94
Lowest score by PCMag
80

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The JBL Charge 4 is a portable Bluetooth speaker with impressive sound quality, water-resistant design, long battery life, and exceptional Bluetooth connectivity, making it ideal for outdoor activities.

The JBL Charge 4 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that offers impressive sound quality with a powerful and punchy bass, clear and well-defined mids and highs, and a maximum output power of 30 watts that can produce sound of up to 90 decibels.

It is water-resistant with an IPX7 rating, making it ideal for outdoor use, and has a long battery life of up to 20 hours. The speaker is highly portable and suitable for a variety of outdoor activities such as picnics, camping, and beach trips. It is also durable and can withstand constant abuse such as accidental drops, scratches, or bumps.

The JBL Charge 4 has exceptional Bluetooth connectivity with a range of up to 87 feet and can connect to multiple devices simultaneously. It does not have a built-in microphone for voice control or speakerphone functionality, but it can be connected to other JBL speakers through the JBL Connect+ feature.

Overall, the JBL Charge 4 is a great option for outdoor enthusiasts and those on the go who need a portable and durable speaker with excellent sound quality.

Sound quality

The JBL Charge 4 is a portable Bluetooth speaker with impressive sound quality, powerful bass, water-resistant design, and the ability to connect with other Charge 4 speakers for an immersive listening experience.

The JBL Charge 4 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that offers impressive sound quality with a powerful and punchy bass, clear and well-defined mids and highs, and a maximum output power of 30 watts that can produce sound of up to 90 decibels.

It has a balanced mid-range that can accurately reproduce vocals and lead instruments, making it well-suited for a range of different music genres. The speaker is also water-resistant with an IPX7 rating, making it ideal for outdoor use. It is small and lightweight, making it incredibly portable, and can be paired with other Charge 4 speakers using JBL Connect+ for an even more immersive listening experience.

The JBL Charge 4 is perfect for outdoor events, parties, and other occasions where loud and high-quality audio is desired. It is also great for filling a pool or backyard during a BBQ with great quality music.

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Battery life

The JBL Charge 4 has an excellent battery life of up to 20 hours on a single charge, but this can vary depending on usage and volume level.

The JBL Charge 4 has an advertised battery life of up to 20 hours on a single charge, but this can vary depending on usage and volume level. When used at around 40% volume using the AUX input rather than Bluetooth connection, the battery life can reach up to 20 hours. However, at 50% volume, the battery life goes down by about half.

Playing music at low to medium volume, the Charge 4 can last 20 hours on a single charge, but if played at high volume constantly, a few hours may be cut from that rating. The JBL Charge 4 saves power by shutting off automatically after some time without any audio input. It takes approximately 4 hours to fully charge the JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speaker, and it can be used to charge your phone or tablet while still using the speaker to play music.

Overall, the battery life of the JBL Charge 4 is considered excellent.

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Portability

The JBL Charge 4 is a portable speaker that is lightweight and easy to carry, making it suitable for outdoor activities such as picnics, camping, and beach trips.

The JBL Charge 4 is a portable speaker that is lightweight and easy to carry, making it suitable for outdoor activities such as picnics, camping, and beach trips. Its compact size and shape make it easy to fit into a backpack, and it can be held in one hand. However, it may be a little heavy and big for backpacking trips.

The speaker does not come with a handle or strap, but accessories such as carrying cases and backpacks are available to make carrying the speaker easier. Overall, the JBL Charge 4 is a highly portable speaker that is suitable for a variety of outdoor activities.

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Durability

The JBL Charge 4 is a durable Bluetooth speaker with a water-resistant fabric body, isolated and protruding keys, and a silicone base that can withstand accidental drops, scratches, and bumps.

The JBL Charge 4 is a durable Bluetooth speaker that can withstand constant abuse such as accidental drops, scratches, or bumps. Its mostly fabric body is wrapped in a tight, water-resistant fabric and sits on a small plastic base, with silicone material on the ends that provides cushioning in case of accidental drops.

The speaker has an IPX7 rating for water resistance, making it safe for temporary immersion in water up to 3 feet. The Charge 4's keys are isolated and protruding, ensuring that they won't be damaged accidentally and will remain fully functional even when exposed to water. The combination of these design elements contributes to the JBL Charge 4's durability.

To ensure the longevity of the speaker, it is recommended to clean it regularly, store it in a cool, dry place when not in use, and avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or accidental drops or impacts. Overall, the JBL Charge 4 is a hardy all-round speaker that is perfect for use in wet environments such as a pool, beach, or boat setting.

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Connectivity

The JBL Charge 4 is a portable speaker with exceptional Bluetooth connectivity, the ability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously, and easy setup, making it a great option for those who frequently switch between audio sources.

The JBL Charge 4 has exceptional Bluetooth connectivity with a range of up to 87 feet, making it easy to receive input even if your device is far away. It does not have Wi-Fi connectivity or support voice assistant integration due to the lack of a microphone. However, it can connect to multiple devices simultaneously, allowing users to switch between audio sources easily.

The JBL Charge 4 is incredibly easy to set up and has outstanding Bluetooth performance, making it ideal for those who frequently switch between their phone and laptop for audio sources. The JBL app can also be installed to show basic information and install firmware updates. Overall, the JBL Charge 4 is a great option for those looking for a portable speaker with strong Bluetooth connectivity and the ability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously.

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Additional features

The JBL Charge 4 is a water-resistant portable Bluetooth speaker with a long battery life, durable design, and impressive sound quality, making it ideal for outdoor use.

The JBL Charge 4 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that is water-resistant with an IPX7 rating, making it ideal for use at the beach, pool, or boat side. It does not have a built-in microphone for voice control or speakerphone functionality, but it can be connected to other JBL speakers through the JBL Connect+ feature.

The Charge 4 has a long battery life of up to 20 hours, a built-in USB charging port, and a durable design covered in a fabric that helps protect it from wear and tear. It also offers impressive sound quality with well-balanced mid-range and bass, and dual passive radiators that enhance the low-end frequencies for a more immersive listening experience.

Overall, the JBL Charge 4 is a great option for outdoor enthusiasts and those on the go who need a portable and durable speaker with excellent sound quality.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all portable bluetooth speakers.

Rank Change Price Bluetooth Speaker
TechHive
PCMag
SoundGuys
WIRED
Tom's Guide
Popular Mechanics
Rtings.com
TechRadar
What Hi-Fi
Digital Trends
1
- $167
Sonos Roam 2
The Sonos Roam 2 is praised for its sound quality, durability, and versatility, but criticized for its battery life, connectivity issues, and high price point, especially for those not fully invested in the Sonos ecosystem.
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2
8
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1
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4
2
- $180
JBL Charge 5
The JBL Charge 5 is highly praised for its improved sound quality, robust design, and long battery life, though it faces criticism for lacking an AUX port and having connectivity issues with the JBL app.
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1
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6
1
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3
- $100
Beats Pill
The Beats Pill (2024) is praised for its portability, impressive battery life, and robust design, but criticized for sound quality issues at high volumes, lack of EQ settings, and its price point considering the features offered.
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8
3
13
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1
4
- $130
JBL Flip 6
The JBL Flip 6 is a durable and powerful portable Bluetooth speaker with a long battery life, PartyBoost feature, and water and dust resistance.
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6
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3
2
8
Show all rows
JBL Charge 4 did not receive any endorsements this month.