When it comes to portable audio, getting the right balance of sound quality, portability, and price can be tricky. Today, we're comparing two popular options: the newly released JBL Go 4 ($49) and the established Anker Soundcore 2 ($45).
The portable speaker market has seen significant advances in recent years, particularly in sound quality from smaller devices. The JBL Go 4 represents the latest generation, released in early 2024, while the Soundcore 2 has been a market staple since 2020.
What's changed in those four years? Quite a bit, actually. The newer JBL Go 4 incorporates Bluetooth 5.3 with Auracast (a new technology that allows multiple people to connect to a single audio source), while the Soundcore 2 uses the older Bluetooth 4.2. However, for most users, this difference won't be noticeable in day-to-day use.
Here's where things get interesting. The JBL Go 4 is genuinely pocket-sized at 3.7 x 3 x 1.7 inches, while the Soundcore 2 is about twice that size. This size difference isn't just about portability – it fundamentally affects how these speakers perform.
The larger Soundcore 2 can move more air, resulting in fuller bass and higher volume. However, the Go 4's smaller size makes it far more convenient for travel or everyday carry. In my testing, I found myself reaching for the Go 4 more often for quick listening sessions, while the Soundcore 2 stayed on my desk as a regular workstation companion.
Let's talk audio performance. The JBL Go 4 uses a single 45mm driver pushing 4.2 watts of power. Despite its size, it manages impressive clarity in the mid-range frequencies (where most vocals and instruments live). The speaker uses JBL's latest audio processing to prevent distortion at higher volumes, though you'll notice some bass roll-off due to its physical limitations.
The Soundcore 2 takes a different approach with dual drivers and 12 watts of total power. Its larger enclosure and "BassUp" technology (Anker's term for their bass enhancement algorithm) deliver noticeably more low-end punch. In side-by-side testing, the Soundcore 2 consistently produced fuller sound, especially in bass-heavy music genres like hip-hop or electronic dance music.
However, raw power isn't everything. The Go 4's newer signal processing and tuning often resulted in clearer vocals and better detail in acoustic tracks. It's a matter of preference – do you want bigger sound (Soundcore 2) or more portable clarity (Go 4)?
Battery technology has actually seen less dramatic improvements. The Go 4 offers 7 hours of playback, while the older Soundcore 2 boasts an impressive 24 hours. This difference comes down to physical size – the Soundcore 2 simply has room for a larger battery.
Both speakers use USB charging, though the Go 4 has upgraded to USB-C while the Soundcore 2 uses the older micro-USB standard. Charging times are about 3 hours for both units.
The Go 4 shows how far weatherproofing has come, with an IP67 rating meaning it's fully dustproof and can handle submersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The Soundcore 2's IPX5 rating only protects against splashes and light rain.
Here's where the age difference really shows. The JBL Go 4 includes:
The Soundcore 2 offers:
After extensive testing, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
The price difference is minimal ($49 vs $45), so the decision really comes down to your specific needs. The JBL Go 4 offers newer technology and better portability, while the Soundcore 2 provides better sound volume and battery life.
Choose the JBL Go 4 if:
Choose the Anker Soundcore 2 if:
The bottom line? Both speakers excel in their respective niches. The Go 4 represents the latest in portable audio technology, while the Soundcore 2 remains a solid choice for those prioritizing sound quality and battery life over absolute portability.
Remember: the best speaker is the one that fits your specific needs and use cases. Consider how you'll most often use the speaker, and choose accordingly.
| JBL Go 4 | Anker Soundcore 2 |
|---|---|
| Power Output - Determines maximum volume and sound fullness | |
| 4.2W RMS - Sufficient for personal listening | 12W RMS - Better for small group settings |
| Size - Affects portability and sound characteristics | |
| 3.7 x 3 x 1.7 inches (ultra-portable) | 6.5 x 2.2 x 1.8 inches (bag-sized) |
| Battery Life - Critical for extended use without charging | |
| 7 hours (adequate for daily use) | 24 hours (excellent for multi-day use) |
| Water Resistance - Important for outdoor use | |
| IP67 (fully waterproof, dustproof) | IPX5 (splash resistant only) |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects connection stability and range | |
| 5.3 with Auracast (latest standard) | 4.2 (older but reliable) |
| Sound Enhancement Features - Improves audio quality | |
| App-based EQ, JBL Pro Sound | BassUp technology, passive radiator |
| Charging Port - Affects convenience and charging speed | |
| USB-C (modern standard) | Micro-USB (older standard) |
| Weight - Important for true portability | |
| 0.42 lbs (extremely lightweight) | 0.78 lbs (still portable) |
| Price - Value consideration | |
| $49 (premium for newest features) | $45 (better price-to-performance) |
| Extra Features - Adds versatility | |
| Multi-speaker pairing, app control, customizable EQ | Built-in mic for calls, remember last paired device |
Neither the JBL Go 4 nor Anker Soundcore 2 is ideal for home theater use as they're designed for portable audio. For home theater, you'd want dedicated speakers with more power and better stereo separation. However, if you must choose, the Soundcore 2's higher 12W power output and better bass response make it slightly more suitable for TV audio enhancement.
The JBL Go 4 costs $49, while the Anker Soundcore 2 is priced at $45. The $4 difference is minimal, making features and performance more important deciding factors than price.
The Anker Soundcore 2 has significantly better battery life at 24 hours compared to the JBL Go 4's 7 hours. This makes the Soundcore 2 better for extended use without charging.
Yes, both can be used outdoors, but the JBL Go 4 has superior water resistance with IP67 rating (fully waterproof), while the Soundcore 2 has IPX5 (splash-resistant only).
The Anker Soundcore 2 produces fuller sound with better bass due to its larger size and 12W output. The JBL Go 4 offers clearer mids and vocals but can't match the Soundcore 2's volume and bass response.
The JBL Go 4 supports Auracast technology for connecting multiple speakers, while the Soundcore 2 doesn't offer this feature.
The JBL Go 4 is significantly more portable at 3.7 x 3 x 1.7 inches compared to the larger Soundcore 2. The Go 4 is genuinely pocket-sized while the Soundcore 2 is more bag-sized.
Both speakers have built-in microphones, but the Anker Soundcore 2 is often reported to have better call quality than the JBL Go 4.
The JBL Go 4 features newer Bluetooth 5.3 with better range and stability, while the Soundcore 2 uses older Bluetooth 4.2. For most users, the difference isn't noticeable in everyday use.
The JBL Go 4 offers app-based EQ control through the JBL Portable app, while the Soundcore 2 doesn't have EQ customization options.
If using as a temporary solution, the Anker Soundcore 2 is better for movies due to its stronger bass response and higher volume output compared to the JBL Go 4. However, neither is an ideal solution for regular movie watching.
Both take about 3 hours to fully charge, but the JBL Go 4 uses modern USB-C charging while the Soundcore 2 uses older micro-USB technology.
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: tomsguide.com - outeraudio.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - corporategift.com - jbl.com - target.com - dell.com - projectorscreen.com - mm.jbl.com - community.anker.com - forums.androidcentral.com - community.anker.com - youtube.com - community.anker.com - community.anker.com - wirelessplace.com - cnet.com - youtube.com - walmart.com - us.ankerwork.com - support.soundcore.com
