Short answer: the Soundcore Boom Go 3i. It ranks #2 of 62 small speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $59.99. The JBL Go 4 ranks #30, rated 3.2/5, at $49.95, $10.04 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Soundcore Boom Go 3i is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. An exceptionally rugged 0.8 lbs (380 g) mini speaker with IP68 protection, a floating sound-forward design, app EQ, RGB lighting, a battery display, USB-C power-bank output and Auracast/TWS linking. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 7 for the JBL Go 4. Watch for: This is still a 15W mono speaker: bass impact and stereo width are limited, and critical listeners may find the upper treble piercing or metallic.
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 much less than the Soundcore Boom Go 3i at 0.8 lbs (380 g). The tradeoff: Not much bass at all, especially with electronic/bass-heavy tracks pushed past ~50% volume.
Buy the Soundcore Boom Go 3i. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $10.04 you would save on the JBL Go 4 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom Go 3i | JBL Go 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $49.95 |
| Ranked | #2 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (380 g) | 0.4 lbs (190 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 15W | 4.2W |
| Dimensions | 4” x 4.2” x 1.8” (102.1 x 105.9 x 45.5 mm) | 3.7” x 3” x 1.7” (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 42mm woofer + passive radiators | 45mm |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~82Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Soundcore Boom Go 3i:
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- Minirig Mini 2 vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i
- Minirig Mini vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
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
Soundcore Boom Go 3i: $59.99 Amazon $59.99 AliExpress $133.27 eBay
Pros: An exceptionally rugged 380g mini speaker with IP68 protection, a floating sound-forward design, app EQ, RGB lighting, a battery display, USB-C power-bank output and Auracast/TWS linking. It reaches about 92dB and independent testing finds it lasts nearly six hours at maximum volume with lights and BassUp enabled, matching its demanding claim.
Cons: This is still a 15W mono speaker: bass impact and stereo width are limited, and critical listeners may find the upper treble piercing or metallic. It is directional by design, so the sound changes off-axis, and independent reviews note it lacks a built-in microphone; it is far better for rugged outdoor background music than a large gathering.
Setup: Try out Oluv’s EQ which slightly improves the sound
Full Soundcore Boom Go 3i review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2026 (8 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 15W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4” x 4.2” x 1.8” (102.1 x 105.9 x 45.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 42mm woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (380 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Boom Go 3i - first look More from Oluv’Sone →
- Techder Audios: Soundcore Boom Go 3i - Soundtest HOW GOOD IS 15W? WITH BASS UP 2.0!? More from techderaudios →
- Storytripper HD: Bose Micro 2 vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Micro 2 More from storytripperhd →
- TecH Moe: Soundcore Boom Go 3i: The Mini Speaker to Buy! More from TecHMoE →
- Gi Rides: Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 Binaural Audio
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Minirig Mini 2
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Minirig Mini
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Teufel Boomster Go
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Soundcore Mini 3
- See all 61 comparisons
JBL Go 4: $49.95 Amazon $49.95 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
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Go 4 - first impressions (how to waste your money) More from Oluv’Sone →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Storytripper HD: Tronsmart Mirtune H1 vs JBL GO 4 More from storytripperhd →
- 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 More from GYMCADDY →
- 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?
- Importados Neto Rocha: Tronsmart Trip 2 vs JBL go4 | NÃO escolha errado!!!
- Beautiful Zar DJ: Tronsmart Trip 2 Vs Jbl Go 4 (50-100%Volume Audio Test)
- YouTube: Tronsmart T8 Mini VS JBL Go 4
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