Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0

JBL Flip 4 Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£90Audio output power:16.00 WBattery life:12 hoursIP rating:IPX7Bluetooth version:4.2Weight:515 g

JBL Flip 4 Review: Compare 130 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Portable Speakers category and whether it is worth buying.

JBL Flip 4
6.9/10

Overall score

Score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of products in the Portable Speakers category, based on technical analysis and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference for identifying the best products in the Portable Speakers category.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

6.3

Technical score

20%

9.7

User score

▲Better than 65% of portable speakers
7.9

Value for money

Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

▲Better than 76%
6.3

Technical score

Technical score
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

32%

5.8

Audio

20%

5.9

Battery

18%

7.6

Durability

16%

5.6

Connectivity

8%

6.1

Controls

3%

9.0

Design

3%

7.6

Smart features

▼Worse than 68%
9.7

User score

User score
9.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

9.5

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
★Better than 99%
  • jbl-flip-4
jbl-flip-4
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Portable Speakers model ranking

Ranked #334 of 1,316 models in Portable Speakers (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of portable speaker JBL Flip 4

Technical score
Technical score
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

32%

5.8

Audio

20%

5.9

Battery

18%

7.6

Durability

16%

5.6

Connectivity

8%

6.1

Controls

3%

9.0

Design

3%

7.6

Smart features

6.3
User score
User score
9.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

9.5

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
9.7
Popularity
Popularity
10/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you prefer products in the Portable Speakers category that have been chosen and reviewed by many other buyers.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
JBL Flip 4 has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than 92% of products in this category.
10
Value for money
Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.9
Audio output power
16 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 16 W which is lower than that of 54.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 3.6% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
40 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 40 mm which is smaller than that of 76.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 13.2% of portable speakers.
Number of drivers
2
This portable speaker has 2 drivers, which is more than 24.5% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 45.5% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
70 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 70 Hz which is higher than that of 61% of portable speakers and equal to that of 4.6% of portable speakers.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
4.2
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 4.2 which is older than that of 53.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 17.8% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
10 m
This portable speaker has a maximum Bluetooth range of 10 m which is longer than that of 4.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 70.2% of portable speakers.
Bluetooth profiles supported
A2DP; AVRCP; HFP; HSP
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Battery life
12 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 12 hours which is longer than that of 47.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 15.7% of portable speakers.
Battery capacity
3,000 mAh
This portable speaker has a battery capacity of 3,000 mAh which is larger than that of 58.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 3.8% of portable speakers.
Charging time
3 hours
This portable speaker has a charging time of 3 hours which is shorter than that of 35.5% of portable speakers and equal to that of 35.1% of portable speakers.
Maximum charging input power
5 W
This portable speaker has a maximum charging input power of 5 W which is lower than that of 58.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 38.5% of portable speakers.
Built-in rechargeable battery
yes
This portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery. 18.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
IP rating
IPX7
This portable speaker has an IP rating of IPX7 which provides better ingress protection than 47.6% of portable speakers and the same ingress protection as 25.2% of portable speakers.
Water resistance
yes
This portable speaker is water resistant. 38.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
?
Waterproof depth rating
1 m
This portable speaker has a waterproof depth rating of 1 m which is deeper than that of 52.6% of portable speakers and equal to that of 47.4% of portable speakers.
Drop resistance
?
Show more
On-device controls placement
top; rear
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
yes
This portable speaker supports smartphone app control. 46.1% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Compatible mobile app provides speaker control or settings.
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
no
This portable speaker does not support fast pairing. 22.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Weight
515 g
This portable speaker weighs 515 g which is lighter than that of 65.5% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Height
6.8 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 6.8 cm which is shorter than that of 81.6% of portable speakers and equal to that of 1% of portable speakers.
Width
17.5 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 17.5 cm which is narrower than that of 52.4% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.4% of portable speakers.
Depth
7 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 7 cm which is shallower than that of 63.2% of portable speakers and equal to that of 2.1% of portable speakers.
Carry options
strap
Show more
Companion app name
JBL Portable
Firmware updates
yes
This portable speaker supports firmware updates. 52.9% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
Firmware update method
?
Voice assistant support
yes
This portable speaker supports voice assistants. 73.6% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports direct voice-assistant control.
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

JBL Flip 4 vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 1 m deeper waterproof rating
    This portable speaker has a deeper waterproof depth rating than the average portable speaker (1 m vs 0 m).
    1 m vs 0 m
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • Supports party mode
    This portable speaker supports party mode, while the average portable speaker does not support party mode.
    Supports synchronized multi-speaker party/group playback.
  • Supports multi-room audio
    This portable speaker supports multi-room audio, while the average portable speaker does not support multi-room audio.
    Supports synchronized multi-room playback.
  • Better ingress protection
    This portable speaker has better ingress protection than the average portable speaker (IPX7 vs IPX5).
    IPX7 vs IPX5
  • Supports voice assistants
    This portable speaker supports voice assistants, while the average portable speaker does not support voice assistants.
    Supports direct voice-assistant control.
  • Supports firmware updates
    This portable speaker supports firmware updates, while the average portable speaker does not support firmware updates.
    Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
  • 20.7% higher user score
    User score
    9.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    JBL Flip 4
    the average portable speaker
    JBL Flip 4 has a higher user score than the average portable speaker (9.65 vs 8).
    9.65 vs 8
  • 2.38x more popular
    JBL Flip 4 is more popular than the average portable speaker (10 vs 4.21).
    10 vs 4.21
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • 400 mAh more battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a larger battery capacity than the average portable speaker (3,000 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    3,000 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • 1 m deeper waterproof rating
    This portable speaker has a deeper waterproof depth rating than the average portable speaker (1 m vs 0 m).
    1 m vs 0 m
  • Better ingress protection
    This portable speaker has better ingress protection than the average portable speaker (IPX7 vs IPX5).
    IPX7 vs IPX5
  • 5 °C higher maximum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a higher maximum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (45 °C vs 40 °C).
    45 °C vs 40 °C
  • Supports party mode
    This portable speaker supports party mode, while the average portable speaker does not support party mode.
    Supports synchronized multi-speaker party/group playback.
  • Has a programmable button
    This portable speaker has a programmable button, while the average portable speaker does not have a programmable button.
    Has a user-programmable physical button.
  • 5.6 cm shorter
    This portable speaker is shorter than the average portable speaker (6.8 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    6.8 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 285 g lighter
    This portable speaker is lighter than the average portable speaker (515 g vs 800 g).
    515 g vs 800 g
  • Supports multi-room audio
    This portable speaker supports multi-room audio, while the average portable speaker does not support multi-room audio.
    Supports synchronized multi-room playback.
  • Supports voice assistants
    This portable speaker supports voice assistants, while the average portable speaker does not support voice assistants.
    Supports direct voice-assistant control.
  • Supports firmware updates
    This portable speaker supports firmware updates, while the average portable speaker does not support firmware updates.
    Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
  • 215 ms higher audio latency
    This portable speaker has higher audio latency than the average portable speaker (300 ms vs 85 ms).
    300 ms vs 85 ms
  • 10 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (40 mm vs 50 mm).
    40 mm vs 50 mm
  • 5 W lower charging input power
    This portable speaker has lower charging input power than the average portable speaker (5 W vs 10 W).
    5 W vs 10 W
  • 5 °C higher minimum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a higher minimum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (5 °C vs 0 °C).
    5 °C vs 0 °C
  • 6 fewer paired devices remembered
    This portable speaker remembers fewer paired devices than the average portable speaker (2 vs 8).
    2 vs 8
  • 0.8 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • Does not provide voice prompts
    This portable speaker does not provide voice prompts, while the average portable speaker provides voice prompts.
    No spoken status prompts; feedback is absent, visual, or tone-based.
  • 10 Hz less deep bass extension
    This portable speaker has less deep bass extension than the average portable speaker (70 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    70 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 215 ms higher audio latency
    This portable speaker has higher audio latency than the average portable speaker (300 ms vs 85 ms).
    300 ms vs 85 ms
  • 10 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (40 mm vs 50 mm).
    40 mm vs 50 mm
  • 10 Hz less deep bass extension
    This portable speaker has less deep bass extension than the average portable speaker (70 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    70 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 4 W less audio output power
    This portable speaker has less audio output power than the average portable speaker (16 W vs 20 W).
    16 W vs 20 W
  • 6 fewer paired devices remembered
    This portable speaker remembers fewer paired devices than the average portable speaker (2 vs 8).
    2 vs 8
  • 0.8 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • 5 W lower charging input power
    This portable speaker has lower charging input power than the average portable speaker (5 W vs 10 W).
    5 W vs 10 W
  • 5 °C higher minimum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a higher minimum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (5 °C vs 0 °C).
    5 °C vs 0 °C
  • Does not provide voice prompts
    This portable speaker does not provide voice prompts, while the average portable speaker provides voice prompts.
    No spoken status prompts; feedback is absent, visual, or tone-based.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

W
whathifi.com
23/06/2017
Summary of the review
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cnet.com
08/04/2017
Summary of the review
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soundguys.com
11/01/2021
Summary of the review
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techradar.com
27/02/2020
Summary of the review
U
uk.pcmag.com
04/04/2017
Summary of the review
R
rtings.com
04/01/2023
Summary of the review
T
trustedreviews.com
18/04/2017
Summary of the review
T
techgearlab.com
08/08/2017
Summary of the review
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themasterswitch.com
08/10/2018
Summary of the review
P
pcmag.com
04/04/2017
Summary of the review
W
whatgear.net
19/05/2017
Summary of the review
T
techhive.com
14/08/2017
Summary of the review
P
pocket-lint.com
01/10/2017
Summary of the review
G
gizguide.com
23/09/2018
Summary of the review
G
gadgetguy.com.au
16/08/2017
Summary of the review
T
tweakers.net
26/09/2017
Summary of the review
L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
04/03/2017
Summary of the review
P
perfectacoustic.nl
Unknown
Summary of the review
C
clickx.be
10/04/2018
Summary of the review
B
b4men.nl
24/04/2017
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: August 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about JBL Flip 4

  • Impressive, loud sound quality with crisp highs and solid stereo playback
  • Excellent IPX7 waterproof rating allowing full submersion in water
  • Durable, rugged design with a protective nylon fabric and rubber casing
  • Compact, lightweight form factor that is highly portable and includes a carrying strap
  • Good overall battery life of up to 12 hours of playtime
  • Includes a 3.5mm AUX input port for optional wired connections

What customers don't like about JBL Flip 4

  • Bass lacks a deep 'sub-bass' punch and can soften at maximum volumes
  • The speaker does not float and will sink if dropped into deep water
  • Treble can become harsh or slightly distorted when pushed to 100% volume
  • No dedicated physical buttons for track navigation (cannot skip backward)
  • JBL Connect+ is incompatible with older speaker models using the standard JBL Connect
  • Using the physical button for voice assistant replaces its essential play/pause functionality

Verdict

The JBL Flip 4 is a rugged, cylindrical portable Bluetooth 4.2 speaker equipped with dual 40mm drivers delivering 2x8W output power, a frequency response of 70Hz–20kHz, and dual external passive bass radiators. Its main pros include an IPX7 waterproof rating that allows complete submersion, a 3000mAh rechargeable battery providing up to 12 hours of playtime, an integrated noise-canceling speakerphone, and JBL Connect+ technology to link over 100 compatible speakers. However, its main cons are that the audio can experience harsh treble distortion at maximum volume, it does not float in water, and it relies on an outdated Micro-USB charging port rather than USB-C.

Compare JBL Flip 4 with other products in the Portable Speakers category

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