Short answer: the JBL Go 4. It ranks #25 of 46 small speakers at $39.95; the Sony SRS-XB100 ranks #32 and costs $63, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the JBL Go 4 side: A little more bass than the Go 3 and they fixed the strange mids peak. The catch: Not much bass at all, especially with electronic/bass-heavy tracks pushed past ~50% volume.
The case for the Sony SRS-XB100: Long real-world battery life (~17 hours in testing). The tradeoff: Not much bass.
Buy the JBL Go 4 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Sony SRS-XB100 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 4 | Sony SRS-XB100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.95 | $63.00 |
| Ranked | #25 of 46 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #32 of 46 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~82Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 190 g | 0.6 lbs / 274 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 3.71" x 2.98" x 1.66" (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) | 2.99" diameter x 3.74" H (76 x 95 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Drivers | 45mm | 46mm |
| Output Power | 4.2W | 2.5W |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Go 4: $39.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
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.
| 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 |
| Dimensions | 3.71" x 2.98" x 1.66" (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| 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 |
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- StereoSpecs: JBL GO 4 vs JBL GO 3 : Worth the upgrade?
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Go 4 - first impressions (how to waste your money)
- Storytripper HD: JBL GO 4 vs TRIBIT MICRO 2 vs KLIPSCH AUSTIN vs SONY SRS-XB100
- GYMCADDY: Soundcore Select 4 Go Vs JBL Clip 5 And JBL Go 4
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Sony SRS-XB100: $63.00 Amazon
Pros: Long real-world battery life (~17 hours in testing). IP67 rated and pocketable at 267g, with a clip for bags/gear. Can stereo-pair two units.
Cons: Not much bass. Seems pretty much the same as the XB13, maybe a teeny bit deeper bass and a little less muddy.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Dimensions | 2.99" diameter x 3.74" H (76 x 95 mm) |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 2.5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 274 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.