Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 4. It ranks #44 of 105 large speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $309.95. The Ultimate Ears Epicboom ranks #83, rated 2.9/5, at $228.59, $81.36 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Xtreme 4 is the better-sounding, longer-running 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. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 17 for the Ultimate Ears Epicboom. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Ultimate Ears Epicboom cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Ultimate Ears Epicboom lacks. Watch for: It cannot produce the deep rumble of a larger speaker, and bass compression increases near maximum volume.
What the Ultimate Ears Epicboom does well: 17 hour battery with USB-C charging (first UE portable with USB-C). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Xtreme 4 lacks. The catch: Not very deep bass for the size.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $81.36 saving on the Ultimate Ears Epicboom is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 4 | Ultimate Ears Epicboom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $309.95 | $228.59 |
| Ranked | #44 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #83 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 17 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) | 4.3 lbs (1.97 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 11.7” x 5.9” x 5.6” (297 x 149 x 141 mm) | 4.7” x 9.5” x 6.4” (119 x 241 x 162 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 1x 120mm woofer, 2x 45mm tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 10W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~55Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Xtreme 4 compares with other leading options:
- 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 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 $309.95 B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5, released Apr 2026. It adds USB audio input, AAC and LC3, but drops the built-in mic. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.
Older models: the JBL Xtreme 3 (ranked higher, rated 4.3/5), the JBL Xtreme 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5) and the JBL Xtreme (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Xtreme generation.
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 →
| Released | Mar 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - outdoor test More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - basstest (bigger=better?)
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6, Xtreme 4 & Earfun UBoom X - taking sound to the top
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award
- 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
- Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Boom 3i - first impressions & EQs
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4 in 2026 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 2026, massive upgrade over JBL Xtreme 4! Full tests!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown!
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs JBL Xtreme 3 Sound Test 😍 Best upgrade in the history? 😂 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Dominik Reviews: Tronsmart Bang 2 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - Are both Extreme?
- Dominik Reviews: Teufel BOOMSTER 4 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - Not great for the size? Sound Test
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- Dominik Reviews: Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - Outdoor Sound Test - Sony shines or not?
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA Deep BASS 🆚 JBL XTREME 4 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Middleton👌🎶 🆚 JBL Xtreme 4 🎶📢
- 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
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Kilburn 3 vs JBL Xtreme 4 – OUTSIDE🤗
- Mateusz Cholewa: MARSHALL Kilburn 3 🆚 JBL Xtreme 4
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA - Unboxing.📦 Short Test vs Xtreme 4
- Techder Audios: JBL Xtreme 4 VS Teufel Rockster Cross “DEEP BASS VS BETTER MIDS !” More from techderaudios →
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot s98 vs Jbl xtreme 4. outdoor sound test 🔊 More from YARNZO Tech →
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot S79 vs JBL Xtreme 4 full review and sound battle
- YARNZO Tech: Jbl xtreme 4 vs zealot s98. both were released 2024 does size really matter here 🤔let’s find out
- BT Sound Lab: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Tronsmart Bang 2
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Ultimate Ears Epicboom: $228.59 Amazon $228.59 eBay
Pros: 17 hour battery with USB-C charging (first UE portable with USB-C). IP67 rating, floats in water. Made mostly from recycled fabric and plastic. Large best-sounding UE portable that still feels portable. 180ft Bluetooth range. Measured bass extension of ~55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not very deep bass for the size. Gets distorted at around 70-80% with bass thuds.
Full Ultimate Ears Epicboom review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 10W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 17 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.7” x 9.5” x 6.4” (119 x 241 x 162 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 120mm woofer, 2x 45mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.3 lbs (1.97 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: $350 Ultimate Ears EpicBoom gets Epic Beat-Down 😮by $120 Soundcore Rave Neo 2. Bluetooth Speaker KO🤛 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
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