JBL Clip 4 Speaker: Portable, and Durable – Top Features

December 25, 2024

14 Views 0

SaveSavedRemoved 0

The JBL Clip 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is an impressive portable audio solution designed for those who love to enjoy music on the go. Packed with robust features, durable build quality, and impressive sound for its size, the Clip 4 continues JBL’s reputation for creating high-quality portable speakers. This article will explore everything you need to know about the JBL Clip 4, including its release details, design, features, and performance.

Quick Highlights

Release Date: December 6, 2020
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1
Power Output: 5 Watts
Water Resistance: Submersible with IPx7 rating
Dust Resistance: IP6x dustproof
Battery Life: 5.5 hours
Weight: 0.52 lbs. (236g)
Charging: USB-C

Release Date

The JBL Clip 4 speaker was officially released on December 6, 2020. It was introduced as the perfect portable companion for outdoor activities, offering high-quality audio in a compact and durable design.

JBL Clip 4 Unboxing

When you unbox the JBL Clip 4, you’ll find the following:

JBL Clip 4 Speaker
USB-C to USB-A Charging Cable
Quick Start Guide (for easy setup)

Notably, there is no charger included in the box, but the included USB-C charging cable ensures you can charge it easily with any compatible power source.

Quick Specs: JBL Clip 4

Speaker Type: Outdoor, portable
Weight: 0.52 lbs. (236g)
Battery Life: 5.5 hours
Bluetooth Version: 5.1
Water Resistance: Submersible (IPx7)
Dust Resistance: IP6x
Charging Port: USB-C
Charging Time: 2.7 hours
Maximum Output Power: 5 Watts

See Full Specifications

Design and Display

The JBL Clip 4 boasts a sleek, compact design, making it easy to carry around thanks to its built-in carrier clip. Its round shape allows for a 360-degree sound experience, while the design ensures it’s both lightweight and portable.The material quality is excellent, offering both durability and resistance against the elements. Its water-resistant and dustproof capabilities make it ideal for outdoor use, whether you’re hiking, camping, or hanging out by the pool.

JBL Clip 4 Controls

The JBL Clip 4 provides intuitive physical controls that make it easy to navigate your music. These include:

Volume Up/Down
Music Play/Pause
Track Forward (No Previous Track Option)

While it lacks a built-in microphone and other advanced controls like call answering, the basic functionality is easy to use.

Differences Between Sizes and Variants

Unlike larger JBL speakers, the Clip 4 is designed to be ultra-portable. It doesn’t come in multiple size options, but its compact size makes it ideal for those who need a small, powerful speaker for quick getaways.

JBL Clip 4 Colors

The JBL Clip 4 comes in a range of vibrant colors, including:

Black
Black/Orange
Blue
Blue/Coral
Eco Blue
Eco Green
Eco White
Green
Grey
Orange
Pink
Red
Squad
Teal
White
Yellow

This variety allows users to choose the color that best suits their style.

JBL Clip 4 Features

Sound Quality

The sound quality of the JBL Clip 4 is impressive given its compact size. It delivers clear, crisp audio with a surprising amount of bass. Whether you’re listening to music or podcasts, the speaker provides an enjoyable listening experience, especially in open spaces.

JBL Clip 4 Battery Life

With a 5.5-hour battery life, the Clip 4 is perfect for short outdoor activities. Charging is quick, taking just 2.7 hours to fully recharge via the USB-C port, and it offers a solid power-saving mode to extend battery life.

Bluetooth Connectivity

The JBL Clip 4 uses Bluetooth 5.1 technology, ensuring a stable connection with your device up to 237.9 feet (72.5 meters). While it doesn’t support multi-device pairing, it offers low latency, with 39 ms for Android and 92 ms for iOS devices.

Water and Dust Resistance

The JBL Clip 4 can survive being submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes, thanks to its IPx7 water resistance and IP6x dustproof ratings. This makes it a great option for outdoor adventures.

Portability and Durability

Weighing only 0.52 lbs. (236g), the Clip 4 is designed for ultimate portability. The built-in carabiner clip ensures that you can easily attach it to your backpack, belt, or bag.

Price and Availability: JBL Clip 4

The JBL Clip 4 is reasonably priced and widely available through major retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. You can expect to pay around $49.95, though prices may vary depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.

Comparison: JBL Clip 4 vs. JBL Go 3

The JBL Clip 4 and JBL Go 3 are both compact Bluetooth speakers that deliver excellent sound quality for their size, but they cater to slightly different needs. Here’s a detailed comparison of both, highlighting their key features, strengths, and differences.

Key Features Comparison:

Sound Quality: The JBL Clip 4 delivers a slightly 5W output, offering fuller sound and more bass than the Go 3. Additionally, the Clip 4 features 360-degree sound, enhancing its immersive audio experience.
Battery Life: The Clip 4 offers 5.5 hours of playtime, while the Go 3 provides up to 5 hours, making both comparable in battery performance.
Water Resistance: Both speakers offer excellent water resistance; the Clip 4 has an IPx7 rating, making it submersible in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the Go 3 has an IP67 rating, offering both dust and water protection.
Portability: Both speakers are highly portable, but the Clip 4 includes a built-in carabiner, making it easier to attach to bags. This feature distinguishes it from the Go 3.
Design & Durability: The Clip 4’s compact, round shape and dustproof build make it more durable for outdoor use than the Go 3. Conversely, the Go 3 uses eco-friendly materials, including 90% recycled plastic, which appeals to eco-conscious users.

Side By Side Analysis

The JBL Clip 4 and JBL Go 3 are both compact, portable Bluetooth speakers that cater to different needs. While both deliver impressive audio quality in a small package, they differ in design, durability, sound performance, and additional features. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown to help you decide which is the better option for your needs.

Design & Portability

JBL Clip 4:The Clip 4 has a sleek, circular design with a built-in carabiner clip, making it incredibly portable and easy to attach to a bag, backpack, or belt. Additionally, its compact size (0.52 lbs) and durable build make it perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or camping. Moreover, the rugged design is complemented by an IPx7 rating.
JBL Go 3: While also ultra-portable (0.46 lbs), the Go 3 is a little smaller and has a more rectangular shape compared to the Clip 4’s rounded design. It also holds an IP67 rating—waterproof and dustproof—which means it can withstand water immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes and remain fully dustproof.

Sound Quality

JBL Clip 4: The Clip 4 has a 5W power output, delivering clear sound with decent bass for its size. It provides 360-degree sound, which is ideal for sharing music in an open space. Its sound is generally more powerful than the Go 3, especially for outdoor environments, where the sound needs to be heard over ambient noise.
JBL Go 3: Despite its smaller size and 3W power output, the Go 3 still delivers impressive sound, particularly in the mid and high frequencies. The bass is not as pronounced as the Clip 4, which may be a downside for those seeking more bass-heavy music. However, its sound is more than adequate for casual listening, small gatherings, or personal use.

Battery Life

JBL Clip 4: The Clip 4 offers 5.5 hours of playback on a full charge, which is a modest amount but sufficient for short trips or casual outdoor use. The battery is charged via USB-C, and it takes approximately 2.7 hours to fully recharge. Given its size, the battery life is respectable, though it could be a limitation for those who require extended playtime.
JBL Go 3: The Go 3 has a slightly shorter 5-hour battery life per charge, which is similar to the Clip 4. It charges via USB-C, and the recharge time is slightly faster at around 2 hours. Like the Clip 4, the Go 3’s battery is suitable for short bursts of use but may not be ideal for day-long outdoor adventures without a backup charger.

Waterproofing & Durability

JBL Clip 4: The Clip 4’s IPx7 rating makes it submersible up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Its durable, dustproof design (IP6x) also ensures it can withstand rough handling and outdoor environments.
JBL Go 3: The Go 3 comes with an IP67 rating, making it both waterproof and dustproof for enhanced durability.Additionally, it is resistant to dust, dirt, and sand, ensuring long-lasting performance. While both speakers offer great protection, the Go 3’s dustproof feature makes it more suitable for environments with debris.

Connectivity

JBL Clip 4: Equipped with Bluetooth 5.1, the Clip 4 has a strong and stable connection range of up to 237.9 feet (72.5 meters), which is significantly greater than the Go 3’s range. It doesn’t support multi-device pairing, but the Bluetooth range is ideal for outdoor use, allowing users to keep their devices a significant distance away while still maintaining a solid connection.
JBL Go 3: The Go 3 also uses Bluetooth 5.1, providing stable connectivity but with a range of up to 10 meters (33 feet). While this is enough for most indoor use or short-range outdoor activities, it’s much shorter than the Clip 4’s range.

Environmental Considerations

JBL Clip 4: While the Clip 4 is a durable and reliable speaker, it does not feature eco-friendly materials in the same way as the Go 3. Its design is focused more on performance and portability than sustainability.
JBL Go 3: One of the standout features of the Go 3 is its commitment to sustainability. The Go 3 uses 90% recycled plastic and 100% recycled fabric, making it an environmentally responsible choice for eco-conscious users.

Price & Value

The JBL Clip 4 and JBL Go 3 are both priced similarly at around $49. However, the Clip 4 offers slightly more power output, battery life, and Bluetooth range, making it a better value for users seeking higher performance in a portable speaker. The Go 3 suits users who prioritize eco-friendliness and need a compact, dustproof speaker.

Which One Is Better?

JBL Clip 4: Ideal for those who prioritize better sound quality, water resistance, and portability with a carabiner clip for easy attachment. It’s a better choice for more active, outdoor-focused users looking for a compact speaker with a slightly more robust performance.
JBL Go 3: Best for eco-conscious buyers and those looking for a compact, affordable speaker with a waterproof rating that can be used near water or in dusty environments. The Go 3 also stands out with its recycled materials, making it the top choice for environmentally aware consumers.

If you need a speaker with a longer Bluetooth range, submersible water resistance, and superior audio quality, choose the JBL Clip 4. However, if you prefer a more eco-friendly design and a slightly more compact size, consider the JBL Go 3 Eco.

What’s Good About the JBL Clip 4?

The JBL Clip 4 stands out due to its portability, solid build, and water-resistant features. Additionally, it delivers impressive audio for a speaker of its size. Furthermore, the Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity ensures a stable, long-range connection.

What’s Not So Good About the JBL Clip 4?

Its relatively short battery life (5.5 hours) and lack of advanced features like a microphone or voice assistants might be drawbacks for some users. Additionally, it doesn’t support stereo pairing or multi-device connections.

Should You Buy JBL Clip 4?

If you’re looking for a small, and portable speaker for outdoor activities, the JBL Clip 4 is an excellent choice. However, if you need longer battery life or advanced features like voice assistants, you might want to consider other options.

Conclusion

The JBL Clip 4 Bluetooth Speaker is a compact, powerful, and durable portable speaker. It’s perfect for those who need quality sound on the go. Its impressive Bluetooth range, water and dust resistance, and lightweight design make it ideal for outdoor adventures. While its battery life could be better, it’s still a solid option for casual listening. Overall, the Clip 4 offers great value for its price.