Short answer: the JBL Clip 5 is the better buy for most people because it adds app EQ and Auracast without changing the familiar clip-on formula. Clip 4 is 22 of 47, while Clip 5 is 21 of 47.
The Clip 4 is extremely light and its spring clip is a genuine advantage for bags and belts. It has very little bass, however, and its compact form is fundamentally more useful for convenience than full-range music.
The Clip 5 keeps that portability while adding the JBL Portable app, custom EQ, an improved carabiner, thicker rear padding, and Auracast. Its sound is broadly similar to the Clip 4, so choose it for the feature update rather than a dramatic acoustic leap.
The case for the JBL Clip 4: Very light (0.4 lb / 0.2 kg) with a sturdy spring clip that attaches to bags/belts. The catch: Quite a lack of bass.
What the JBL Clip 5 gets right: JBL Portable app adds custom EQ. Set against that: Generally more of the same from the Clip series in terms of sound but with more features.
Buy the JBL Clip 4 if you find it at the better value and only need the lightest basic clip-on speaker.
Buy the JBL Clip 5 if custom EQ, Auracast, and the improved clip design are worth the newer model.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip 4 | JBL Clip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.95 | $79.95 |
| Ranked | #22 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #21 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (239 g) | 0.6 lbs (285 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 95Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 135 x 46 mm) | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 134.5 x 46 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 5W | 7W |
| Drivers | 1x 40mm (1.57") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator | 1x ~50mm (2") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| Maximum SPL | 79dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Clip 5:
- JBL Clip 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- JBL Clip 5 vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i
- JBL Clip 5 vs Minirig Mini 2
- JBL Clip 5 vs Minirig Mini
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs JBL Clip 5
Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM 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 Clip 4: $64.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Very light (0.4 lb) with a sturdy spring clip that attaches to bags/belts. Real-world battery life often beats the 10-hour rating. Measured bass extension of 80Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Quite a lack of bass. Not very loud.
Full JBL Clip 4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 5W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 135 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 40mm (1.57") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 79dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (239 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Danny Pops: MICRO SPEAKERS - my take on JBL Clip 4 VS Wonderboom 2 VS Bose Micro More from DannyPops →
- Gi Rides: Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs JBL Clip 4 - sound battle
- Storytripper HD: JBL Clip 4 vs B&O A1 2nd vs Klipsch Austin More from storytripperhd →
- CEONTHEMAKING: BATTLE Of The Compact Speakers Sony SRS-XB100 VS JBL Clip 4! More from CEONTHEMAKING →
- Sis & Bro: Muzen Mini Wild Portable vs JBL Clip 4 - Bluetooth Speaker Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Clip 5: $79.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: JBL Portable app adds custom EQ. Wider carabiner and thicker back padding than the Clip 4. IP67 rated. Auracast support for pairing multiple JBL speakers.
Cons: Generally more of the same from the Clip series in terms of sound but with more features. Basically about the same as the Clip 4
Full JBL Clip 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 7W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 134.5 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x ~50mm (2") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 95Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (285 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons