Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 on measured sound quality, the JBL Go 4 on price. The Soundlink Micro 2 ranks #18 of 47 small speakers, the Go 4 ranks #25, and the Soundlink Micro 2 costs $30.04 more.
Neither speaker is genuinely clean, but the Go 4’s problems are more fundamental. Our notes credit it with a little more bass than the Go 3 and note JBL fixed the strange mids peak from that model, but say there’s still not much bass at all, especially with electronic or bass-heavy tracks pushed past about half volume. The midrange can sound grainy with sizzle in the treble that loses clarity at higher volumes.
The Soundlink Micro 2 has genuine upgrades alongside its own coloration issues. Our notes point to an IP67 rating that survives a 1-meter dunk for 30 minutes, a compact fabric strap replacing the first-gen’s hook clip that was prone to breaking, USB-C charging, and surprisingly good bass when mounted outdoors, like on a bike. But it lacks clarity, its bass is overly boosted enough to cause thudding and can overdrive at higher volumes, worse in this regard than the first-gen model, and its treble is also overly boosted, meaning both ends need to be turned down in the EQ. It also falls clearly behind the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 on bass depth, cleanliness, and loudness.
A few spec differences stand out: the Soundlink Micro 2 adds AAC and aptX Bluetooth codec support where the Go 4 is SBC only, and it runs a longer 12 hour battery against the Go 4’s 7 hours, though the Go 4 is lighter and includes a built-in microphone the Soundlink Micro 2 lacks.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 if sound quality and battery life matter more than price, but plan on EQing down both bass and treble.
Buy the JBL Go 4 if the lower price matters more, and you can live with thin bass and some midrange grain.
If battery life is a priority, the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 is rated for 12 hours versus 7 hours for the JBL Go 4.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 4 | Bose Soundlink Micro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.95 | $79.99 |
| Ranked | #25 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~82Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| 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 | 0.7 lbs / 329 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, aptX, SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 20kHz (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 1.7" (104 x 104 x 43 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Drivers | 45mm | 40mm full-range driver with passive radiator |
| Output Power | 4.2W | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bose Soundlink Micro 2 compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Teufel Boomster Go vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 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
Pros: A little more bass than the Go 3 and they fixed the strange mids peak.
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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~82Hz |
| Battery Life | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 4.2W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| 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
Bose Soundlink Micro 2: $79.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. Compact fabric strap for clipping to bags/bikes - replaces the 1st-gen’s hook clip, which was prone to breaking. USB-C charging. Surprisingly good bass when mounted outdoors, like on a bike.
Cons: Lack of clarity. Overly boosted bass that causes some thudding, and can overdrive/distort at higher volumes - worse in this regard than the 1st-gen model. Overly boosted treble, turn down bass and treble in the EQ. Falls clearly behind the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 on bass depth, cleanliness, and loudness.
Full Bose Soundlink Micro 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1" x 4.1" x 1.7" (104 x 104 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm full-range driver with passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 329 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs B&O Beoplay P2
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Klipsch Austin
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs JBL Clip 5
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Marshall Willen
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs JBL Clip 4
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Anker Soundcore Mini
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Soundcore Select 4 Go
- See all 27 comparisons