When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers, 2024 brings us two intriguing options: the ultra-compact JBL Go 4 at $39.99 and the recently released Beats Pill at $149.99. Let's dive into how these speakers stack up and which might be right for you.
Portable Bluetooth speakers have come a long way since their early days. The latest models offer impressive sound quality packed into increasingly durable and compact designs. The JBL Go 4, released in late 2023, represents the fourth generation of JBL's most portable speaker line. Meanwhile, the Beats Pill, launched in June 2024, showcases Apple's latest audio engineering under the Beats brand.
The audible differences between these speakers stem from their fundamentally different approaches to audio reproduction. The JBL Go 4 uses a single 45mm driver (about 1.75 inches) producing 4.2 watts of power. This might not sound like much, but JBL's tuning creates surprisingly clear audio that works well for personal listening.
The Beats Pill takes a more sophisticated approach with separate woofer and tweeter components. Its redesigned racetrack woofer uses stronger neodymium magnets, delivering 90% more air movement than previous models. This translates to noticeably deeper bass and better overall sound separation. The dedicated tweeter handling high frequencies means vocals and instruments come through with better clarity.
In practical terms:
During testing, both speakers showed their strengths in different scenarios. The JBL Go 4's IP67 water resistance rating (meaning it can survive being submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes) makes it genuinely worry-free for beach trips or pool parties. Its compact size means it can clip onto a backpack or slip into a pocket.
The Beats Pill, while also IP67-rated, serves better as a semi-portable speaker that can move from room to room or out to the patio. Its upward-tilted design (20 degrees) cleverly aims sound toward listener ear level, improving clarity in real-world conditions.
Battery performance shows a clear distinction between these models:
The Beats Pill's ability to charge other devices via USB-C adds genuine utility, essentially functioning as a backup battery pack. Both speakers use USB-C for charging, reflecting current technology standards.
Both speakers include some clever technology worth highlighting:
JBL Go 4:
Beats Pill:
The price difference between these speakers ($110) requires careful consideration. The JBL Go 4 delivers tremendous value at $39.99, offering premium features like water resistance and app support at an entry-level price point. It's a speaker that outperforms its price category.
The Beats Pill at $149.99 justifies its premium pricing through superior sound quality, longer battery life, and additional features like power bank functionality. Whether this represents good value depends entirely on your intended use.
While neither speaker is primarily designed for home theater use, the Beats Pill could serve as a decent temporary solution for small spaces. Its stereo separation mode (when using two units) creates a reasonable soundstage, though it won't replace a proper home theater setup. The JBL Go 4 is too limited in output for serious home theater applications.
Consider these key factors when choosing between these speakers:
The JBL Go 4 improves upon the Go 3 with:
The new Beats Pill shows significant advancement over its predecessor:
Both speakers excel in their intended use cases. The JBL Go 4 stands out as an excellent everyday portable speaker that's easy to carry and use anywhere. Its value proposition is particularly strong, making it an easy recommendation for most users.
The Beats Pill appeals to a different audience, offering superior sound quality and features for those willing to pay more. Its longer battery life and ability to charge other devices add practical utility that might justify the higher price for some users.
For most people, the JBL Go 4 will be the smarter choice, offering surprising quality in an ultra-portable package at a very reasonable price. However, if you're specifically looking for better sound quality and don't mind the larger size and higher price, the Beats Pill delivers a premium audio experience that might be worth the investment.
| JBL Go 4 | Beats Pill |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial investment consideration | |
| $39.99 (excellent value for personal use) | $149.99 (premium pricing for better features) |
| Size & Weight - Impacts portability and everyday carry | |
| 3.7 x 3.0 x 1.7 inches, 0.42 lbs (ultra-portable) | 8.6 x 2.8 x 2.8 inches, 1.5 lbs (medium-sized) |
| Battery Life - Determines use duration between charges | |
| 7 hours (sufficient for daily use) | 24 hours (excellent for extended use) |
| Audio Output - Affects volume and sound quality | |
| 4.2W RMS (good for personal listening) | 12W RMS (room-filling sound) |
| Water Resistance - Important for outdoor use | |
| IP67 (fully waterproof) | IP67 (fully waterproof) |
| Speaker Configuration - Impacts sound quality and clarity | |
| Single 45mm driver | Separate woofer and tweeter |
| Additional Features - Adds value beyond basic functionality | |
| PartyBoost, app EQ control | Power bank function, stereo pairing, Find My support |
| Charging Time - Affects device readiness | |
| 3 hours (relatively quick) | 4 hours (reasonable for capacity) |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects connection quality and range | |
| 5.3 (latest standard) | 5.3 (latest standard) |
| Use Case Optimization - Best scenarios for each | |
| Personal listening, travel, outdoor activities | Small gatherings, home use, extended sessions |
The Beats Pill at $149.99 is more suitable for home theater use due to its stronger output and stereo pairing capability. The JBL Go 4 at $39.99 is too small for effective home theater applications.
The JBL Go 4 costs $39.99, while the Beats Pill is priced at $149.99, representing a $110 difference in price.
The Beats Pill offers superior battery life with 24 hours of playback, compared to the JBL Go 4's 7 hours.
Both speakers are IP67 waterproof, but the Beats Pill provides better sound for group settings, while the JBL Go 4 is better suited for personal listening.
The Beats Pill delivers superior sound quality with dedicated woofer and tweeter, while the JBL Go 4 offers good but more basic audio from its single driver.
Both can connect via Bluetooth, but the Beats Pill is more suitable for TV audio due to its fuller sound and better volume output.
The JBL Go 4 is significantly more portable at 0.42 lbs and pocket-sized, while the Beats Pill weighs 1.5 lbs and requires a bag or backpack.
Neither speaker has direct smart home integration, but both work with voice assistants through connected devices.
The Beats Pill is better for movies due to its stronger bass response and ability to pair two units for stereo sound. The JBL Go 4 isn't recommended for movie watching.
Both speakers offer multi-speaker pairing - the JBL Go 4 through PartyBoost and the Beats Pill through Stereo/Amplify modes.
The Beats Pill delivers significantly better bass with its dedicated woofer, while the JBL Go 4's bass is limited by its small size.
The JBL Go 4 offers excellent value at $39.99 for personal use, while the Beats Pill at $149.99 justifies its price through superior sound quality and features.
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 - bestbuy.com - staples.com - connection.com - otza.com - target.com - quill.com - jumpplus.com - beatsbydre.com - apple.com - bhphotovideo.com - beatsbydre.com - vipoutlet.com
