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JBL Clip 4

JBL Clip 4

By JBL · Portable Bluetooth Speakers · Audio & Electronics · More from JBL

  • 40mm driver with 5W RMS output
  • Bluetooth 5.1, frequency response 100Hz-20kHz
  • Up to 10h playtime, 3h charge
  • IP67 dust and water resistant
  • 0.239 kg

Price not listed

New
Used, refurbished, open-box

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Problems, parts and running costs

Summary

A tiny, waterproof clip-on Bluetooth speaker for bags, bikes and showers, with sound that reviewers say beats its size. Check the bass before you buy: it distorts at high volume and there is no EQ to tame it.

Strengths

  • Small enough to clip anywhere, and the integrated carabiner beats the Clip 3’s hinge.
  • IP67 sealing shrugs off dust and a dunk in the sink or a downpour.
  • Clear vocals and a strong midrange that punch above the size.
  • USB-C charging, a real upgrade over the Clip 3’s Micro-USB.
  • Battery replacement and charging-port repair guides exist from iFixit.
  • Frequently sells well below its list price.

Weaknesses

  • No deep low-bass; it cannot produce the thump and rumble of bigger speakers.
  • Distorts and turns harsh at high volume on bass-heavy tracks.
  • No EQ, companion app or sound customization of any kind.
  • No microphone, speakerphone, voice assistant or 3.5 mm aux input.
  • No PartyBoost or Connect+ linking, so it will not pair with other JBL speakers.
  • Only forward track skip; there is no previous-track button.

Verified specifications

Driver40 mm (1.5 in) transducer, 5 W RMS output.
Frequency response100 Hz – 20 kHz; signal-to-noise ratio above 85 dB.
Bluetoothversion 5.1, A2DP 1.3 and AVRCP 1.6; AAC and SBC codecs.
Battery3.885 Wh lithium-ion polymer; up to 10 hours of playtime, which varies with volume and content.
ChargingUSB-C at 5 V / 500 mA; about 3 hours for a full charge.
ProtectionIP67, dust-tight and immersion to 1 m for 30 minutes.
Connectionsno 3.5 mm aux input; no microphone or speakerphone.
Sound controlno EQ and no companion app; no PartyBoost or Connect+ linking to other speakers.
Controlspower, Bluetooth pairing, play/pause and volume; double-press skips forward; no previous-track button.
Dimensions3.4 × 5.3 × 1.8 in (8.6 × 13.5 × 4.6 cm); 0.239 kg (0.53 lb).
In the boxspeaker, USB-C cable, quick-start guide, warranty card and safety sheet.
Warrantyone year for JBL Portables, from the original delivery date.
Full research notes and sources

Sound and volume

RTINGS calls its music performance middling and notes it does not get very loud, while SoundGuys describes an accurate frequency response with under-emphasized bass. PCMag reports distortion on deep sub-bass tracks at top volume, and CNET found 50–75% the sweet spot before it turns harsh. If you want bass weight, this is not the speaker.

Battery, charging and repairs

JBL rates the Clip 4 at up to 10 hours, and says the figure varies with volume and content. TechGearLab measured about 27 hours at 75% volume, far above the claim; SoundGuys says its own battery tests were still running and had not published data, so treat 10 hours as the manufacturer maximum rather than a typical result. Charging takes about 3 hours over USB-C.

Repairability is better than most tiny speakers. iFixit publishes guides for replacing both the USB-C charging port and the battery, and rates the battery job moderate at 10–15 minutes. JBL’s US warranty page gives Portables a one-year limited warranty from the original delivery date.

Features it lacks

The Clip 4 drops things the Clip 3 had. There is no 3.5 mm aux input, no microphone or speakerphone, and no voice assistant. JBL’s own page confirms it is not supported by Connect+ or PartyBoost and cannot link wirelessly to other portable speakers, and there is no EQ or companion app for sound shaping. Track control is forward-skip only. If you need calls, wired playback or multi-speaker pairing, look elsewhere.

Is it worth it?

Price decides this one. At the $35–50 deal levels seen in 2025 coverage, the Clip 4 is a strong rugged carry speaker and its missing features are easy to forgive. Near its $64.95–$69.95 list price it is fair, and above $70 it is hard to recommend because the Clip 5 has replaced it and newer rivals offer more. JBL’s US page lists the Clip 4 at $64.95, and PCMag reported $49 at Walmart and $64 at Best Buy. JBL lists a refurbished Clip 4 at $48.95 against $64.95 new.

Which model this is

This page covers the fourth-generation JBL Clip 4, the standard model with the integrated carabiner and USB-C. The Black US variant is ASIN B08PHSLRM7. Do not confuse it with the Clip 3 (Micro-USB, circular body, aux input), the larger Clip 5, or the Clip 4 Eco.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Repair:

Owner reports:

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