Short answer: the JBL Go 4 for better sound quality, the Boat Stone 190 for the lower price. The JBL Go 4 ranks #27 of 50 small speakers, rated 3.2/5, at $49.95. The Boat Stone 190 ranks #34, rated 2.9/5, at $9, $40.95 cheaper.
The JBL Go 4 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A little more bass than the Go 3 and they fixed the strange mids peak. Its bass reaches about 82Hz before falling 10dB, against 95Hz for the Boat Stone 190. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Boat Stone 190 cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Boat Stone 190 lacks. Watch for: Not much bass at all, especially with electronic/bass-heavy tracks pushed past ~50% volume.
What the Boat Stone 190 does well: Ultra-lightweight 0.4 lbs (185 g) design with IPX7 waterproof protection. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Go 4 lacks. Watch for: Minimal low bass extension below 95Hz; highs are rolled off at higher volume.
Buy the JBL Go 4 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Boat Stone 190 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 4 | Boat Stone 190 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.95 | 9.00 |
| Ranked | #27 of 50 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #34 of 50 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~82Hz | 95Hz |
| Battery Life | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6.5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (190 g) | 0.4 lbs (185 g) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 70kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.7” x 3” x 1.7” (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) | 4.1” x 4.1” x 2.6” (105 x 105 x 67 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 1.5 hours |
| Drivers | 45mm | 52mm |
| Amplifier Power | 4.2W | 5W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Go 4:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs JBL Go 4
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs JBL Go 4
- Minirig Mini 2 vs JBL Go 4
- JBL Go 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- JBL Go 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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 Go 4: $49.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the JBL Go 5, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5.
Pros: A little more bass than the Go 3 and they fixed the strange mids peak. Measured bass extension of ~82Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not much bass at all, especially with electronic/bass-heavy tracks pushed past ~50% volume. Midrange can sound grainy and treble a bit sizzly; loses clarity at higher volumes.
Full JBL Go 4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 4.2W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~82Hz |
| Battery Life | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.7” x 3” x 1.7” (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (190 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Stereo Specs: JBL GO 4 vs JBL GO 3 : Is there more bass or not?Unboxing,Features,Specs,Sound Test & Comparison !
- StereoSpecs: JBL GO 4 vs JBL GO 3 : Worth the upgrade?
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Go 4 - first impressions (how to waste your money) More from Oluv’Sone →
- Storytripper HD: JBL GO 4 vs TRIBIT MICRO 2 vs KLIPSCH AUSTIN vs SONY SRS-XB100 More from storytripperhd →
- GYMCADDY: Soundcore Select 4 Go Vs JBL Clip 5 And JBL Go 4 More from GYMCADDY →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Boat Stone 190: 9.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Ultra-lightweight 185 g design with IPX7 waterproof protection. 52mm dynamic driver produces surprisingly clear volume for its size. Includes microSD slot and 3.5mm aux input. Measured bass extension of 95Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Minimal low bass extension below 95Hz; highs are rolled off at higher volume.
Full Boat Stone 190 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 5W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 95Hz |
| Battery Life | 6.5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1” x 4.1” x 2.6” (105 x 105 x 67 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 70kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (185 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons