Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 4. It ranks #43 of 97 large speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $309.95 and is still sold new; the Soundcore Trance ranks #92 (rated 2.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The JBL Xtreme 4 is the better-sounding, louder choice. A rugged 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) portable with IP67 protection, a replaceable battery, USB-C power-bank output, Auracast, stereo pairing and a useful 5-band app EQ. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 106dB at full volume, against 97dB for the Soundcore Trance. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 18 for the Soundcore Trance. At 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) it weighs much less than the Soundcore Trance at 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg). The tradeoff: It cannot produce the deep rumble of a larger speaker, and bass compression increases near maximum volume.
The case for the Soundcore Trance: 80W power with up to 105dB output and BassUp technology. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Xtreme 4 lacks. Watch for: Hugely recessed midrange and treble.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 4. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Soundcore Trance is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 4 | Soundcore Trance | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $309.95 | 49 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #43 of 97 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #92 of 97 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 11.7” x 5.9” x 5.6” (297 x 149 x 141 mm) | 7” x 7” x 13.3” (179 x 177 x 339 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 80W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Xtreme 4:
- JBL Xtreme 4 vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4
- JBL Xtreme 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Brane X vs JBL Xtreme 4
- JBL Xtreme 4 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
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 Xtreme 4: $309.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5.
Pros: A rugged 2.1kg portable with IP67 protection, a replaceable battery, USB-C power-bank output, Auracast, stereo pairing and a useful 5-band app EQ. Independent reviews find the midrange detailed and the sound clear, punchy and refined for outdoor use; it also reaches a strong 106dB maximum level and has excellent real-world battery life.
Cons: It cannot produce the deep rumble of a larger speaker, and bass compression increases near maximum volume. The front-facing layout has only modest off-axis consistency, Bluetooth latency is high for video, and the default balance benefits from EQ adjustment. There is no aux input, so wired sources are not supported. Out of the box it leans bass-boosted, with a dip between the upper bass and midrange that EQ cannot fix, and it pushes the upper mids and treble at high volume. It is also expensive.
Full JBL Xtreme 4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7” x 5.9” x 5.6” (297 x 149 x 141 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - outdoor test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - basstest (bigger=better?)
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown! More from alanrossreviews →
- Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Boom 3i - first impressions & EQs
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA Deep BASS 🆚 JBL XTREME 4 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Middleton👌🎶 🆚 JBL Xtreme 4 🎶📢
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 4 - sound analysis
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 4 - unboxing & first impressions
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - first impressions
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs JBL Xtreme 3 Sound Test 😍 Best upgrade in the history? 😂 More from Dominik Reviews →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro Max 100W vs JBL Xtreme 4 Audio Test
- Mateusz Cholewa: LOEWE We HEAR Pro Super Stereo vs JBL Xtreme 4
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Trance: 49 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Soundcore Rave Party 2, rated 3.1/5 (also discontinued).
Pros: 80W power with up to 105dB output and BassUp technology. 18 hours claimed battery life. IPX7 waterproof rating with custom beat-driven LED lighting. Built-in USB power bank to charge mobile devices. Soundcore app provides customizable EQ and Party Mode linking. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Hugely recessed midrange and treble. Discontinued retail variant; superseded by Soundcore Rave Neo 2 and Rave Party 2.
Full Soundcore Trance review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7” x 7” x 13.3” (179 x 177 x 339 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons