A detailed guide to choosing between JBL's ultra-portable and party-ready speakers
The portable Bluetooth speaker market has evolved significantly in recent years, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of what's possible in increasingly compact form factors. JBL, a longtime leader in audio equipment, offers two distinct approaches with the JBL Clip 4 ($49.99) and JBL Charge 5 ($139.99).
While both speakers share JBL's commitment to durability and sound quality, they serve notably different use cases. Let's explore how these two popular models compare across the key factors that matter most to buyers.
The Clip 4 embodies the ultimate grab-and-go speaker design. Its integrated carabiner isn't just a clever add-on – it's central to the speaker's identity, allowing you to attach it to nearly anything while keeping your hands free. At just 239 grams (about half a pound), it's genuinely pocket-sized.
In contrast, the Charge 5 prioritizes acoustic performance over ultimate portability. Its cylindrical design, weighing about 960 grams (2.11 pounds), houses significantly larger drivers and passive radiators. While still portable, it's meant to be carried in a bag rather than clipped to one.
The Clip 4 uses a single 5W driver, which is impressive for its size. Despite its small dimensions, JBL has managed to tune it for surprisingly full sound, though physics ultimately limits its bass response.
The Charge 5 employs a more sophisticated system:
In practical use, the Clip 4 excels at personal listening distances (1-2 meters). It's perfect for podcasts, acoustic music, and general entertainment. However, it starts to show its limitations with bass-heavy genres or when trying to fill larger spaces.
The Charge 5's additional power and larger drivers make a noticeable difference. It can comfortably soundtrack a small party or fill a medium-sized room with rich, balanced audio. The separate tweeter helps maintain clarity at higher volumes, while the passive radiators deliver impressive bass response for a portable speaker.
Battery technology has improved significantly in recent years, benefiting both models:
The Charge 5's power bank feature can be a lifesaver, letting you charge your phone or tablet using the speaker's battery. This dual functionality makes it particularly valuable for outdoor adventures or travel.
Both speakers feature IP67 certification, meaning they're:
This level of protection represents a significant improvement over earlier models and makes both speakers genuinely all-weather companions. You can use them confidently by the pool, at the beach, or even in the shower.
Both speakers use Bluetooth 5.1, offering:
The Charge 5 adds PartyBoost, allowing you to connect multiple compatible JBL speakers for stereo or multi-speaker playback. This feature can be particularly useful for larger gatherings or creating immersive outdoor sound.
The Clip 4 at $49.99 represents excellent value for personal use. Its combination of portability, durability, and sound quality makes it a smart choice for daily commuters, travelers, or anyone who prioritizes convenience.
The Charge 5 at $139.99 justifies its higher price through significantly better sound quality, longer battery life, and additional features like power bank functionality. For those who frequently entertain or want a more capable all-around speaker, the extra investment makes sense.
Choose the Clip 4 if:
Choose the Charge 5 if:
Both speakers represent significant improvements over their predecessors. The Clip 4 improved upon the Clip 3 with:
The Charge 5 advanced from the Charge 4 with:
While these speakers share some DNA, they're designed for distinctly different use cases. The Clip 4 excels as a personal audio companion, emphasizing portability and convenience without sacrificing too much sound quality. The Charge 5 serves as a more capable all-around speaker, delivering superior audio performance and features at the expense of ultra-portability.
Your choice should ultimately align with how you'll use the speaker most often. If you're constantly on the move and want something that can go anywhere, the Clip 4's portability is unbeatable. If you're looking for a more powerful speaker that can handle various situations while delivering excellent sound quality, the Charge 5 is worth the premium.
Both speakers represent solid values in their respective categories, and either can serve as a reliable audio companion for years to come. The key is matching the speaker's capabilities to your specific needs and use cases.
| JBL Clip 4 | JBL Charge 5 |
|---|---|
| Price - Overall value proposition | |
| $49.99 (excellent value for personal use) | $139.99 (premium price for enhanced capabilities) |
| Power Output - Determines volume capability and sound fullness | |
| 5W (single driver) | 40W total (30W woofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Size - Impacts portability and ease of transport | |
| 8.6 x 13.5 x 4.6 cm (ultra-portable) | 22.3 x 9.7 x 9.4 cm (medium-sized) |
| Weight - Affects carrying convenience | |
| 0.239 kg (0.53 lbs) | 0.96 kg (2.11 lbs) |
| Battery Life - Duration between charges | |
| 10 hours (sufficient for daily use) | 20 hours (extended party/outdoor use) |
| Charging Time - Convenience factor | |
| 3 hours | 4 hours |
| Water/Dust Protection - Durability in various conditions | |
| IP67 (fully waterproof) | IP67 (fully waterproof) |
| Special Features - Additional functionality | |
| Integrated carabiner clip | PowerBank function, PartyBoost multi-speaker pairing |
| Frequency Response - Sound range capabilities | |
| 100Hz - 20kHz (limited bass) | 60Hz - 20kHz (fuller bass response) |
| Primary Use Case - Best suited for | |
| Personal listening, travel, outdoor activities | Small parties, room filling sound, outdoor gatherings |
| Bluetooth Version - Connection quality | |
| 5.1 (modern standard) | 5.1 (modern standard) |
| Sound Characteristics - Audio quality differences | |
| Clear mids and highs, limited bass | Full range sound with powerful bass, separate tweeter for crisp highs |
The JBL Charge 5 ($139.99) is significantly better for home theater use due to its fuller sound range and higher power output. While neither speaker is designed primarily for home theater, the Charge 5's superior bass response and 40W total power make it more suitable as a temporary TV audio solution. The JBL Clip 4 ($49.99) lacks the power and bass response needed for satisfying movie audio.
Yes, if you need better sound quality and volume. The JBL Charge 5 justifies its higher price through significantly better audio performance, doubled battery life, and additional features like power bank functionality. However, if portability is your primary concern, the JBL Clip 4 offers better value.
No, neither speaker is designed for true surround sound. While the JBL Charge 5 offers PartyBoost to connect multiple speakers, this feature is for stereo pairing or party audio, not proper home theater surround sound. The JBL Clip 4 doesn't support multi-speaker pairing.
The JBL Charge 5 offers 20 hours of playback compared to the JBL Clip 4's 10 hours. This makes the Charge 5 better suited for extended use without recharging.
Yes, both the JBL Clip 4 and JBL Charge 5 feature IP67 waterproof ratings, making them equally suitable for outdoor use and protected against water and dust.
The JBL Charge 5 is better for movie watching due to its superior bass response and higher power output. Its 60Hz-20kHz frequency response better handles movie sound effects and dialogue compared to the JBL Clip 4's more limited range.
The JBL Clip 4 can be hung using its built-in carabiner, though this isn't ideal for permanent installation. The JBL Charge 5 isn't designed for wall mounting.
The JBL Charge 5 delivers notably better sound quality with its 40W dual-driver system and enhanced bass response. The JBL Clip 4 offers good sound for its size but can't match the Charge 5's audio performance.
Both speakers can connect to TVs via Bluetooth if your TV supports it. The JBL Charge 5 provides a better TV audio experience due to its fuller sound, while the JBL Clip 4 is too limited for satisfying TV audio.
The JBL Clip 4 is significantly more portable at 0.239kg with a built-in carabiner. The JBL Charge 5 weighs 0.96kg and is larger, though still transportable.
Neither the JBL Clip 4 nor the JBL Charge 5 has built-in voice assistant capabilities. They function purely as Bluetooth speakers.
The JBL Charge 5 is better suited for outdoor movie screenings due to its louder volume, better bass response, and longer battery life. The JBL Clip 4 lacks the power needed for outdoor movie audio.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: youtube.com - outeraudio.com - jbl.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - jbl.com - harmanaudio.com - youtube.com - ggelectronics.com - greentoe.com - soundstagexperience.com - techradar.com - outeraudio.com - youtube.com - soundguys.com - howtogeek.com - jbl.com - abt.com - youtube.com - harmanaudio.com - homedepot.com - bhphotovideo.com - dxomark.com
