Short answer: the JBL Go 4. It ranks #30 of 59 small speakers by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $49.95. The Tronsmart T8 Mini ranks #48, rated 2.7/5, at $34.99, $14.96 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Go 4 is the better-sounding, 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 much less than the Tronsmart T8 Mini at 1.3 lbs (600 g). Watch for: Not much bass at all, especially with electronic/bass-heavy tracks pushed past ~50% volume.
The Tronsmart T8 Mini is the longer-running option. More bass than the Tronsmart Trip 2 in a side by side test, with 360 degree sound, IPX7 waterproofing and 20 hours of battery. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 7 for the JBL Go 4. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Go 4 lacks. The catch: Reviewers found it messy and unfocused next to the Tribit Stormbox Mini+ and the Trip 2, and a listener heard harshness at high volume.
Buy the JBL Go 4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $14.96 saving on the Tronsmart T8 Mini is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 4 | Tronsmart T8 Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.95 | $34.99 |
| Ranked | #30 of 59 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #48 of 59 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Tronsmart) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~82Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (190 g) | 1.3 lbs (0.6 kg) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| 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) | 4.7”H x 3.9”W x 3.9”D (119 x 99 x 99 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 45mm | 1x upward-firing driver, 2x passive radiators |
| Amplifier Power | 4.2W | 16W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Lights | - | Yes (LED light show) |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Go 4 compares with other leading options:
- 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 10, 2026 at 5:37 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
Tronsmart T8 Mini: $34.99 Tronsmart eBay
Same family: the Tronsmart T8 (larger model, rated 3.6/5). See every Tronsmart T7 and T8 generation.
Pros: More bass than the Tronsmart Trip 2 in a side by side test, with 360 degree sound, IPX7 waterproofing and 20 hours of battery.
Cons: Reviewers found it messy and unfocused next to the Tribit Stormbox Mini+ and the Trip 2, and a listener heard harshness at high volume.
Full Tronsmart T8 Mini review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
| App | Yes (Tronsmart) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 4.7”H x 3.9”W x 3.9”D (119 x 99 x 99 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x upward-firing driver, 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (app) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes (LED light show) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (0.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons