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A versatile portable speaker is a great addition to your summer kit—but while lots of speakers claim to be portable, many of them are surprisingly bulky, not very durable, or deliver tinny sound. The JBL Go 4 has none of those issues. It’s currently one of the best travel speakers in its price range, and right now, it’s even cheaper on Amazon: At $40, it’s 20% off and at its lowest price ever.
This tiny speaker is partially made with recycled materials, comes in a wide range of colors, measures just 3.7 x 3.0 x 1.7 inches, and weighs 6.7 ounces, about the same as an iPhone. It carries an IP67 rating, making it dust-proof and durable enough to be submerged in water during a beach outing or pool party.
The speaker has adjustable EQ and Auracast connectivity and a companion app for viewing the battery level, enabling PlaytimeBoost, and adjusting other settings. You can expect up to 9 hours of battery life using PlaytimeBoost. Sound quality from the 45mm driver won’t match higher-end speakers, but it delivers strong bass and clear mids when compared to similarly sized speakers, and it can get pretty loud . (Pro tip: If you want more pronounced bass, lay the speaker on its back rather than propping it upright.)
What do you think so far?
If you don’t need audiophile-quality sound but want an ultra-compact, lightweight speaker with adjustable EQ, the pocket-sized JBL Go 4 is a smart companion for all your adventures, and a great pick at its current sub-$40 price. However, if you want improved bass, longer battery life, and beefier sound (and don’t mind a slightly bigger build), the JBL Clip 5 is a great upgrade, though it’s almost double the price.
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