Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex. It ranks #34 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $89; the JBL Charge 4 ranks #50 and costs $119.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Bose Soundlink Flex: IP67 rated; rugged enough to survive drops from several feet and floats. The catch: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail.
On the JBL Charge 4 side: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. Watch for: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver.
One note: the JBL Charge 4 is discontinued, but it still ranks #50 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge 4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 4 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the Bose Soundlink Flex.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex | JBL Charge 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.00 | $119.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #34 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #50 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | 330ms |
| Max Volume | 96dB | 99dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 589 g | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 30W RMS |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Flex: $89.00 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated; rugged enough to survive drops from several feet and floats. Around 12 hours of battery at moderate volume.
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail
Full Bose Soundlink Flex review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 589 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Flex More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex Review! vs JBL Flip 6 and JBL Charge 5. Travel heaven?? 🤞 More from alanrossreviews →
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex vs Soundcore Boost vs Bogasing M4 - cheap or Bose?
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- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Soundcore Motion 300 (LDAC) 😵 Budget Bose Soundlink Flex “Inspired” Speakers More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Oluv Patreon: Soundcore Motion 300 = Bose Soundlink Flex = Earfun UBoom L?
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- Danny Pops: BEST Bose Speaker?? Bose Soundlink Flex vs micro, Color II, and revolve + More from DannyPops →
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- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Small speaker, mighty sound, The Flex gen 2 shatters physics!
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Flex Review
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JBL Charge 4: $119.95 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers.
Cons: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a Charge 3. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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