Short answer: the JBL Clip 4. It ranks #22 against the Go 5’s #24 out of 47 small speakers, and the Go 5’s added features don’t make up for real sound quality problems.
The Go 5 looks better on a feature checklist, but its own cons undercut it. It adds an IP68 rating over the Clip 4’s IP67, AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking, a 7-band app EQ, and USB-C wired audio input. But its cons describe it as still lacking bass and not very clear overall, with an audible mono downmixing growl artifact (the same issue noted on the JBL Charge 6), weak off-axis dispersion, and an uneven, upper-mid-heavy tonal balance. It also falls short of similarly priced rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2, and doesn’t get meaningfully louder at max volume, just harsher.
The Clip 4 is simpler but more honestly priced for what it does. Its pros highlight being very light with a sturdy spring clip for attaching to bags or belts, and real-world battery life that often beats its 10-hour rating. Its own cons are a lack of bass and limited loudness, but nothing as pointed as the Go 5’s tonal complaints.
Buy the JBL Clip 4 for a simple, clippable speaker that does what it claims without the Go 5’s tonal problems.
Buy the JBL Go 5 only if AirTouch stereo pairing or the higher IP68 rating specifically matter to you, and you can live with its uneven sound.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip 4 | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.95 | $39.95 |
| Ranked | #22 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (239 g) | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 6.0 |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 135 x 46 mm) | 4" x 3" x 1.7" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 5W | 4.8W |
| Drivers | 1x 40mm (1.57") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator | 45mm |
| Maximum SPL | 79dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Clip 4:
- JBL Clip 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- JBL Clip 4 vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs JBL Clip 4
- JBL Clip 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Teufel Boomster Go vs JBL Clip 4
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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 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 Go 5: $39.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking. 7-band custom app EQ, up from the Go 4’s 5-band. USB-C wired audio input.
Cons: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights. Still lacking bass and not very clear overall. Mono downmixing produces an audible growling artifact, the same issue noted on the JBL Charge 6. Falls well short of similarly priced rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. Weak off-axis dispersion and an uneven, upper-mid-heavy tonal balance. Doesn’t get meaningfully louder at max volume, just harsher.
Full JBL Go 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 4.8W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 4" x 3" x 1.7" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons