Short answer: the JBL Go 4. It ranks #30 of 59 small speakers by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $49.95; the Soundcore Glow Mini ranks #37, rated 3.1/5, at $44.99. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
The JBL Go 4 is the lighter option. A little more bass than the JBL Go 3 and they fixed the strange mids peak. At 0.4 lbs (190 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Soundcore Glow Mini at 0.6 lbs (280 g). Watch for: Not much bass at all, especially with electronic/bass-heavy tracks pushed past ~50% volume.
The Soundcore Glow Mini is the longer-running choice. 360-degree sound with a synchronized 360-degree LED light ring. It is rated for 12 hours of battery against 7 for the JBL Go 4. The tradeoff: 8W single full-range driver output limits maximum volume and bass extension in larger spaces.
Buy the JBL Go 4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $4.96 you would save on the Soundcore Glow Mini does not close the gap.
Worth knowing: the Soundcore Glow Mini has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 2.9 to 3.3, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 4 | Soundcore Glow Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.95 | $44.99 |
| Ranked | #30 of 59 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #37 of 59 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated |
| 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 (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (190 g) | 0.6 lbs (280 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 3.7” x 3” x 1.7” (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) | 3” x 3” x 3.7” (76 x 76 x 94 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 45mm | 1x full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| Amplifier Power | 4.2W | 8W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to 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 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Go 5, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5, released Mar 2026. It adds USB audio input, AAC and LC3, but drops the built-in mic. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.
Older model: the JBL Go 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Go generation.
Pros: A little more bass than the JBL 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 →
| Released | Mar 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 →
- Importados Neto Rocha: Tronsmart Trip 2 vs JBL go4 | NÃO escolha errado!!!
- Storytripper HD: Tronsmart Mirtune H1 vs JBL GO 4
- Beautiful Zar DJ: Tronsmart Trip 2 Vs Jbl Go 4 (50-100%Volume Audio Test)
- YouTube: Tronsmart T8 Mini VS JBL Go 4
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Glow Mini: $44.99 Estimated Amazon eBay
Pros: 360-degree sound with a synchronized 360-degree LED light ring. IP67 waterproof, dustproof and floatable construction. Up to 12 hours of battery life. Customizable EQ and dynamic lighting via the Soundcore app. PartyCast 2.0 links 100+ speakers.
Cons: 8W single full-range driver output limits maximum volume and bass extension in larger spaces. Soundstage relies on mono 360-degree dispersion.
Full Soundcore Glow Mini review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 8W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 3” x 3” x 3.7” (76 x 76 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (280 g) |
- 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