If you’re familiar with the JBL Charge 3, then the Charge 4 could be a very decent upgrade. The portable Bluetooth speaker comes with JBL Connect plus for you to connect up to 100 other supported speakers, and greatly amplify your sound. Our Bose Soundlink 3 review and iHome IBN 6 Bluetooth speaker with NFC touch, will show you more portable speakers. Its long battery life is a huge plus especially if you’re going for a hike or a long walk, as it can keep your music playing for up to 20 hours before it needs a recharge. When it does, it’ll only take about 4 hours until it’s fully charged and ready for action. Does it have what it takes to be placed within the ranks of the best Bluetooth speakers in the market? Let’s review JBL Charge and find out. Or, take a look at our Phillips ShoqBox SB7200 portable Bluetooth speaker review if you want to compare this speaker with another option.
Why We Like It – JBL Charge 4
JBL is synonymous with top-quality audio products, and the JBL Charge 4 does well to maintain this good reputation. The portable Bluetooth speaker features dual passive radiators to keep the bass thumping, and an IPX7 waterproof rating that keeps the music on when at the pool, or even in the rain. For a slightly smaller speaker, take a look at the Tego Audio NOVA mini portable review instead. For a similar option that has a built-in rechargeable battery that can charge your phone and play for 20 hours non-stop, check out the JBL Charge Bluetooth speaker review.
- Waterproof
- Powerful bass
- Power bank
- Not a speakerphone
- No 360-degree sound
Performance
You won’t need to worry about your JBL Charge 4 falling into your pool by accident thanks to its IPX7 waterproof rating. This means that you can submerge it in water to a depth of 1 meter for about 30 minutes, and it’ll still turn out okay unlike the Bose Soundlink Revolve. The portable speaker isn’t capable of stereo sound since it has a single driver, but this isn’t something that most owners take issue with. The sound quality is still as good as if not better than that of the Charge 3, with a bass that sounds much more convincing when you’re in a closed space. As much as this speaker is great for the outdoors, another alternative that is small and compact is discussed in the Jawbone Big Jambox review.
Design
The only thing design-wise that gives an edge to the Charge 4 over the Charge 3 is its wide variety of colors that you now get to choose from. They’re about 12 in total, so there’s a flavor there for everyone. Aside from that, the JBL Charge 4 is also a bit heavier than most Bluetooth speakers (like the UE Boom 3), and we think this also translates to higher sound quality. The speaker comes covered in a nice durable fabric that keeps water outside, as well as a waterproof flap to keep its input/output panel dry. Here, you’ll find a USB-C port for charging the battery, a USB-A port for charging a phone or tablet, and a 3.5 mm AUX output for plugging in your preferred music source.
Value
The value you get from the JBL Charge 4 is immense since this portable speaker belts out 30 watts of audio which is pretty standard for a good quality speaker, and its support for Bluetooth connectivity allows you to play your music from as far as 30 feet away. To add to that, you also can count on the JBL Charge 4 to revive your smartphone in case it runs out of power, since the portable speaker comes with a built-in power bank, unlike the Anker Soundcore and the JBL OnBeat Air. This keeps your phone alive for just long enough to get to an alternative power source.
JBL Charge 4 Wrap Up
JBL is one of the brands that pop up when discussing Bluetooth speakers, and the JBL Charge 4 continues to prove why. Get this speaker if you don’t mind the little extra weight, and be the go-to guy who always turns the music up.
