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 Horizon Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£120Audio output power:10.00 WBattery life:?IP rating:IPX4Bluetooth version:4.1Weight:890 g

JBL Horizon 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 Horizon
6.3/10

Overall score

Score
6.3/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

5.6

Technical score

20%

8.7

User score

â–¼Worse than 78% of portable speakers
7.3

Value for money

Value for money
7.3/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

â–¼Worse than 79%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

32%

5.2

Audio

20%

7.4

Battery

18%

4.7

Durability

16%

5.9

Connectivity

8%

3.9

Controls

3%

8.3

Design

3%

4.9

Smart features

â–¼Worse than 94%
8.7

User score

User score
8.7/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

9.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–²Better than 82%
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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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Technical Specifications of portable speaker JBL Horizon

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

32%

5.2

Audio

20%

7.4

Battery

18%

4.7

Durability

16%

5.9

Connectivity

8%

3.9

Controls

3%

8.3

Design

3%

4.9

Smart features

5.6
User score
User score
8.7/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

9.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.7
Popularity
Popularity
9.4/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
JBL Horizon has a popularity score of 9.4 points, which is higher than 88% of products in this category.
9.4
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

7.3
Audio output power
10 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 10 W which is lower than that of 66.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 7.3% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
45 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 45 mm which is smaller than that of 60.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 8.6% 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
4.1
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 4.1 which is older than that of 71.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 4.9% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
?
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
?
Battery capacity
?
Charging time
?
Maximum charging input power
?
Built-in rechargeable battery
no
This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery. 81.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Requires wired mains power and has no built-in rechargeable operating battery.
Show more
IP rating
IPX4
This portable speaker has an IP rating of IPX4 which provides worse ingress protection than 77.7% of portable speakers and the same ingress protection as 21% of portable speakers.
Water resistance
no
This portable speaker is not water resistant. 61.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
?
Waterproof depth rating
Not waterproof m
This portable speaker is not rated for underwater use. 47.6% of portable speakers have a native waterproof depth rating.
Drop resistance
no
This portable speaker lacks an impact-resistance rating. 32.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
On-device controls placement
?
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
no
This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control. 54% of portable speakers offer this feature.
No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
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
890 g
This portable speaker weighs 890 g which is heavier than that of 52.6% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.2% of portable speakers.
Height
16 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 16 cm which is taller than that of 61.2% of portable speakers and equal to that of 1.2% of portable speakers.
Width
18.3 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 18.3 cm which is wider than that of 51% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.3% of portable speakers.
Depth
8.6 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 8.6 cm which is deeper than that of 51.2% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.7% of portable speakers.
Carry options
none
Show more
Companion app name
JBL One
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
USB
Voice assistant support
no
This portable speaker does not support voice assistants. 26.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

JBL Horizon vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • Has a power bank function
    This portable speaker has a power bank function, while the average portable speaker does not have a power bank function.
    Can charge another device only while the speaker is connected to mains power.
  • 1 more USB ports
    This portable speaker has more USB ports than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Has a removable battery
    This portable speaker has a removable battery, while the average portable speaker does not have a removable battery.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • Supports firmware updates
    This portable speaker supports firmware updates, while the average portable speaker does not support firmware updates.
    Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
  • Has an FM radio
    This portable speaker has an FM radio, while the average portable speaker does not have an FM radio.
  • 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
  • 9.1% higher user score
    User score
    8.7/ 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
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    JBL Horizon
    the average portable speaker
    JBL Horizon has a higher user score than the average portable speaker (8.73 vs 8).
    8.73 vs 8
  • 2.23x more popular
    JBL Horizon is more popular than the average portable speaker (9.4 vs 4.21).
    9.4 vs 4.21
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • 1 more USB ports
    This portable speaker has more USB ports than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Has a power bank function
    This portable speaker has a power bank function, while the average portable speaker does not have a power bank function.
    Can charge another device only while the speaker is connected to mains power.
  • Has a removable battery
    This portable speaker has a removable battery, while the average portable speaker does not have a removable battery.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • 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
  • Has an FM radio
    This portable speaker has an FM radio, while the average portable speaker does not have an FM radio.
  • Has a sleep timer
    This portable speaker has a sleep timer, while the average portable speaker does not have a sleep timer.
    A selectable timer can stop playback or power the speaker down.
  • Supports firmware updates
    This portable speaker supports firmware updates, while the average portable speaker does not support firmware updates.
    Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • 10 dB SPL lower maximum sound pressure
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum sound pressure level than the average portable speaker (82 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL).
    82 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This portable speaker has fewer microphones than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • Does not support smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • Does not have a built-in rechargeable battery
    This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery, while the average portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery.
    Requires wired mains power and has no built-in rechargeable operating battery.
  • Does not include a passive radiator
    This portable speaker does not include a passive radiator, while the average portable speaker includes a passive radiator.
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • 2.7% worse value for money
    JBL Horizon offers worse value for money than the average portable speaker (7.34 vs 7.5).
    7.34 vs 7.55
  • 10 dB SPL lower maximum sound pressure
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum sound pressure level than the average portable speaker (82 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL).
    82 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This portable speaker has fewer microphones than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • Does not include a passive radiator
    This portable speaker does not include a passive radiator, while the average portable speaker includes a passive radiator.
  • 10 W less audio output power
    This portable speaker has less audio output power than the average portable speaker (10 W vs 20 W).
    10 W vs 20 W
  • 5 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (45 mm vs 50 mm).
    45 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
  • 0.9 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.1 vs 5).
    4.1 vs 5
  • Does not have a built-in rechargeable battery
    This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery, while the average portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery.
    Requires wired mains power and has no built-in rechargeable operating battery.
  • Does not have a battery level indicator
    This portable speaker does not have a battery level indicator, while the average portable speaker has a battery level indicator.
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Worse ingress protection
    This portable speaker has worse ingress protection than the average portable speaker (IPX4 vs IPX5).
    IPX4 vs IPX5
  • Does not support smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • 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.
  • 3.6 cm taller
    This portable speaker is taller than the average portable speaker (16 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    16 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 5 older
    This portable speaker was released earlier than the average portable speaker (2014 vs 2019).
    2014 vs 2019

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

S
soundandvision.com
01/06/2015
Summary of the review
I
ilounge.com
19/05/2021
Summary of the review
L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
27/10/2014
Summary of the review
G
gadgetviper.com
25/10/2016
Summary of the review
L
lite-magazin.de
01/07/2015
Summary of the review
S
satvision.de
29/07/2015
Summary of the review
L
lesnumeriques.com
20/02/2015
Summary of the review
0
01net.com
10/12/2014
Summary of the review
L
leclaireur.fnac.com
22/12/2014
Summary of the review
L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
26/10/2014
Summary of the review
M
macitynet.it
21/08/2015
Summary of the review
L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
27/10/2014
Summary of the review
T
tweakers.net
26/02/2020
Summary of the review
I
icreatemagazine.nl
23/04/2015
Summary of the review
T
tweakers.net
31/01/2017
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 Horizon

  • Clear, pleasant, and room-filling stereo sound quality for a clock radio
  • Dual USB ports are highly convenient for charging phones and tablets overnight
  • Built-in ambient wake-up nightlight offers a soft, gradual glow
  • Large, clear, and easy-to-read LCD digital clock display
  • Reliable battery backup system ensures alarms still work during power outages
  • Sleek, modern, and attractive rounded design with a premium rubberised feel
  • Versatile multi-functional top button makes snoozing and volume control simple
  • Quick and seamless Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio

What customers don't like about JBL Horizon

  • FM/DAB radio reception can be weak or patchy depending on the area
  • Control buttons on top can be flat, tricky to feel, and easy to mispress in the dark
  • Automatic display dimming feature can be overly sensitive or finicky
  • Sound lacks deep bass and can experience minor distortion at maximum volume
  • Oversized AC power plug can be difficult to fit into tight spaces behind furniture
  • Cannot use custom songs streaming directly from a phone as an independent alarm sound without keeping Bluetooth continuously active

Verdict

The JBL Horizon is a multisensory Bluetooth clock radio speaker featuring two 1.5-inch full-range transducers delivering a 2 x 5W RMS power output, a 70Hz–20kHz frequency response, an FM radio with 5 presets, dual independent alarms, and dual USB fast-charging ports. Key pros include its rich, room-filling stereo sound, an integrated LED ambient nightlight that offers a soft wake-up glow, a built-in light sensor that automatically auto-dims the crisp LCD clock display, and a CR2032 battery backup system to maintain timekeeping during power outages. Notable cons consist of unlit, hard-to-feel top control buttons, the lack of automatic daylight savings adjustments, limited viewing angles on the reflective clock face, and the requirement of a continuous AC power wall plug connection since it is not a true battery-powered portable unit.

Compare JBL Horizon with other products in the Portable Speakers category

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