JBL Charge 4 vs Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove

Last updated: August 28, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Charge 4 for better sound quality, the Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove for the lower price. The JBL Charge 4 ranks #50 of 136 medium speakers at $119.95. The Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove ranks #90 at $89, $30.95 cheaper.

What the JBL Charge 4 offers: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers. Watch for: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a Charge 3.

What the Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove offers: Pretty balanced sound. Distinctive mid-century design with real wood veneer and a woven grille, unlike most plastic/rubber portables. ~8 hour battery life. Watch for: Not stereo. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others its size. Gets distorted at higher levels. Wouldn’t generally recommend these old speakers as they can’t compete with modern speakers for bass performance and features.

Buy the JBL Charge 4 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove if the price is the priority over sound quality.

There is a real battery-life gap here: the JBL Charge 4 is rated for 20 hours, the Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove only 8 hours.

There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Charge 4 at IPX7 (brief submersion) against the Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove, which has IPX4 (Groove), none (Heritage Groove) (splashing).

JBL Charge 4 vs Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Charge 4 Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove
Price$119.95 Discontinued$89.00
Ranked#50 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#90 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Aux InputYesYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)54Hz-
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth Latency330ms-
Max Volume99dB-
Party ModeYes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers)No
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)No
StereoNo-
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSNoNo
Weight2.1 lbs / 960 g1.7 lbs / 770 g
Bluetooth Version4.24.0
Drivers1x 51x89mm fullrange1x 3" full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators
Dimensions8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm)5" x 6" x 2.6" (127 x 152 x 67 mm)
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)-
Output Power30W RMS10W RMS
IP RatingIPX7IPX4 (Groove), none (Heritage Groove)
DiscontinuedYes-
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Power Input-Micro USB
Bluetooth Codecs-SBC, AAC
App-No
EQ-No
Built in Microphone-Yes

A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:

Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Charge 4: $119.95 Discontinued Amazon eBay

JBL Charge 4 ranking card

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.

Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)54Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth Latency330ms
Bluetooth Version4.2
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm)
DiscontinuedYes
Drivers1x 51x89mm fullrange
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIPX7
Max Volume99dB
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power30W RMS
Party ModeYes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)
StereoNo
TWSNo
Weight2.1 lbs / 960 g

Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove: $89.00 Amazon eBay

Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove ranking card

Pros: Pretty balanced sound. Distinctive mid-century design with real wood veneer and a woven grille, unlike most plastic/rubber portables. ~8 hour battery life.

Cons: Not stereo. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others its size. Gets distorted at higher levels. Wouldn’t generally recommend these old speakers as they can’t compete with modern speakers for bass performance and features.

AppNo
Aux InputYes
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Bluetooth Version4.0
Built in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions5" x 6" x 2.6" (127 x 152 x 67 mm)
Drivers1x 3" full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators
EQNo
IP RatingIPX4 (Groove), none (Heritage Groove)
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power10W RMS
Party ModeNo
Power BankNo
Power InputMicro USB
TWSNo
Weight1.7 lbs / 770 g