JBL Clip 4 evaluation: I am connected

Key Takeaways

• JBL Clip 4 is easy to arrange, waterproof, and has a carabiner
• Its clip makes it simple to connect wherever you want it
• Sound efficiency might be higher, however it no less than will get loud

In the case of Bluetooth audio system, we’re spoiled for alternative. Whether or not you wish to spend a whole lot of {dollars} and get a Sonos speaker that may stream audio over Wi-Fi along with Bluetooth, otherwise you need to spend so much much less and get one thing from Final Ears that may final you the following decade, there are plenty of choices, and lots of of them are excellent.

However nonetheless, there’s an actual attraction to a speaker that is fully fuss-free. No extraneous stereo pairing, no companion app, and no want to regulate EQ. The sort of speaker that you just connect with your units and neglect about. Should you’re out there for that sort of speaker, you would be hard-pressed to search out one higher than the JBL Clip 4. It is loud, waterproof, and able to clip nearly wherever. As I discovered, it is loud, waterproof, and able to clip nearly wherever, a reasonably improbable package deal for lower than $100.

Value, availability, and specs

The JBL Clip 4 was launched on Dec. 2nd, 2020 after being introduced earlier that fall. It is on the smaller, extra compact aspect of JBL’s lineup, with out the corporate’s software program bells and whistles or glowing lights. So whereas it is nothing “new,” it is the moveable speaker I am presently connected to — and attaching in every single place due to its handy carabiner. I’ve discovered that it is extra of a stocking stuffer or enjoyable grad present quite than a house audio staple, however for $80, I obtained precisely what I wanted.

The speaker is on the market instantly from JBL or different on-line retailers like Amazon and Finest Purchase, and is available in black, grey, inexperienced, white, pink, pink, and a number of variations of blue. All fashions have a built-in carabiner, and all fashions use a 1.5-inch dynamic driver to supply sound. For charging, the Clip 4 makes use of a USB-C port and there is a quick USB-C cable included within the field to get you began if you do not have one already.

What I appreciated concerning the JBL Clip 4

Having a speaker with a built-in clip guidelines

It appears to me that the majority moveable Bluetooth audio system embrace some sort of tassel, lanyard, or bungie twine for attaching them to issues now, however the Clip 4’s carabiner is by far essentially the most sensible. It is giant sufficient to suit via most straps and grasp over most bars, and durable sufficient that I by no means fearful that it could fall off or someway get unclipped. It might be slightly taller or wider to accommodate attaching it to extra issues, however I used to be shocked at what I used to be in a position to latch the Clip 4 on to as soon as I began experimenting.

The important thing benefit of the Clip 4’s clip is that it makes it simple to connect someplace and neglect about. The entire speaker is actually designed to be that straightforward. There are three buttons to fret about when music is taking part in (Play/Pause, Quantity Up, and Quantity Down), and two extra if you wish to depend Energy and Bluetooth Pairing. The buttons are even raised in order that you realize what you are urgent with out having to have a look at it. It is splendidly simple total, all you actually need to do is pair the speaker to your cellphone as soon as, and also you’re good to go.

It is loud sufficient to listen to over a bathe or laundry machine

I discovered the Clip 4 to be most pleasing in brief bursts, like throughout a bathe or whereas doing chores round the home. It could actually simply get loud sufficient for me to listen to it over a washer or sizzling water blasting within the bathe. If I can hearken to my podcasts whereas washing my hair and never have to lift the quantity too excessive to listen to anybody speaking, that is normally a very good signal that it is a good speaker in my ebook.

There’s some oomph to the JBL Clip 4, particularly for one thing that may match within the palm of my hand. Not sufficient to shake the ground, however at larger volumes I used to be fearful I’d trouble my neighbors. Importantly, although, you may hit these excessive volumes with out an excessive amount of distortion. Relaxation assured, you may crank up the sound with out fear about ruining your favourite playlist.

The IP67 waterproof and dustproof score makes utilizing it worry-free

A transportable Bluetooth speaker is not value your time until it is waterproof, as a result of when you’re taking it exterior, it must be protected. That is why I used to be joyful to study the Clip 4 is IP67 rated, which suggests it is waterproof as much as one meter for half-hour, and fully dustproof. That covers you throughout wet tenting journeys, seaside days, bathe monologues, and principally some other weird spill you may run into all through the day.

It is not impervious, however its powerful sufficient that you just actually need not fear about it. That gave me some actual peace of thoughts whereas utilizing the Clip 4, and made me unafraid to strive utilizing it in locations I may not take different audio tools. That is the sort of flexibility that I feel makes individuals enthusiastic about utilizing a gadget, quite than nervous. That is what you need.

What I did not like concerning the JBL Clip 4

It ought to actually be capable of float

Contemplating how resilient the JBL Clip 4 is to being submerged in water, it is sort of disappointing that it is not in a position to float. In my by no means scientific assessments in my sink, it did not sink like a stone, however it additionally did not keep above the water sufficient to maintain taking part in music if it fell within the pool. When there are different Bluetooth audio system near the JBL Clip 4’s worth level that may float, just like the $99 UE Wonderboom 3, it is arduous to not be slightly upset that JBL did not go additional.

Sound efficiency might be higher

Whereas the JBL Clip 4 is loud, it might positively sound higher. I am used to JBL’s “Signature Sound,” however the Clip 4 clearly is not pretty much as good as the corporate’s bigger, costlier audio system. JBL describes the Clip 4 as “wealthy,” however I used to be principally simply happy that there was clear separation and texture to the music I used to be listening to. The massive downside was bass, and on extra intricate tracks, element. It is not stunning the little JBL Clip 4 is not as bassy as a bigger speaker with devoted woofers, however I hoped it would be capable of produce a few of the finer, buried elements of songs. They’re there, however they’re more durable to dig out.

Do you have to purchase the JBL Clip 4?

You possibly can solely anticipate a lot out of a Bluetooth speaker that hardly prices greater than a full-price online game, however to be clear, the JBL Clip 4 is not excellent. There’s extra that JBL might do to make it completely excellent if it wished to (as a result of I think about it might afford to). And the corporate has launched follow-ups that get even nearer to the best clip-on speaker.

For what you pay for, although, I can not assist however be happy. If I wasn’t already utilizing a Sonos Roam within the bathe, I might fortunately take into account the Clip 4, and although I have already got a bathe speaker, I am already contemplating one in every of JBL’s choices for when my Roam lastly kicks the bucket. The Clip 4 is rugged sufficient to stay nearly wherever and tremendous easy to arrange. I might actually advocate it to anybody searching for an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker.