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 Pulse 4 Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£170Audio output power:20.00 WBattery life:12 hoursIP rating:IPX7Bluetooth version:4.2Weight:1260 g

JBL Pulse 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 Pulse 4
7.0/10

Overall score

Score
7.0/ 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%

6.4

Technical score

20%

9.5

User score

▲Better than 68% of portable speakers
7.8

Value for money

Value for money
7.8/ 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%

7.0

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

▲Better than 68%
6.4

Technical score

Technical score
6.4/ 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%

5.5

Audio

20%

7.3

Battery

18%

7.0

Durability

16%

5.8

Connectivity

8%

7.0

Controls

3%

8.2

Design

3%

5.6

Smart features

▼Worse than 59%
9.5

User score

User score
9.5/ 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%

9.3

User ratings

30%

9.8

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
★Better than 96%
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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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Portable Speakers model ranking

Ranked #313 of 1,316 models in Portable Speakers (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of portable speaker JBL Pulse 4

Technical score
Technical score
6.4/ 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%

5.5

Audio

20%

7.3

Battery

18%

7.0

Durability

16%

5.8

Connectivity

8%

7.0

Controls

3%

8.2

Design

3%

5.6

Smart features

6.4
User score
User score
9.5/ 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%

9.3

User ratings

30%

9.8

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
9.5
Popularity
Popularity
9.8/ 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 Pulse 4 has a popularity score of 9.8 points, which is higher than 90.8% of products in this category.
9.8
Value for money
Value for money
7.8/ 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%

7.0

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

7.8
Audio output power
20 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 20 W which is higher than that of 46.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 11.4% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
57 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 57 mm which is larger than that of 63.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 2.7% of portable speakers.
Number of drivers
1
This portable speaker has 1 drivers, which is fewer than 75.6% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 24.4% 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
7,260 mAh
This portable speaker has a battery capacity of 7,260 mAh which is larger than that of 91.5% 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
15 W
This portable speaker has a maximum charging input power of 15 W which is higher than that of 73.6% of portable speakers and equal to that of 9.5% 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
no
This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant. 51.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
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
side
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
1,260 g
This portable speaker weighs 1,260 g which is heavier than that of 61.2% of portable speakers.
Height
20.7 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 20.7 cm which is taller than that of 79.4% of portable speakers.
Width
9.6 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 9.6 cm which is narrower than that of 76.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.3% of portable speakers.
Depth
9.6 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 9.6 cm which is deeper than that of 59.2% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.2% of portable speakers.
Carry options
none
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
OTA
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 Pulse 4 vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 4,660 mAh more battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a larger battery capacity than the average portable speaker (7,260 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    7,260 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
  • Provides 360-degree sound
    This portable speaker provides 360-degree sound, while the average portable speaker does not provide 360-degree sound.
    Provides omnidirectional 360° sound radiation.
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • 3 more adjustable EQ bands
    This portable speaker has more adjustable EQ bands than the average portable speaker (3 vs 0).
    3 vs 0
  • 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 USB Type-C port
    This portable speaker has a USB Type-C port, while the average portable speaker does not have a USB Type-C port.
    Has a physical USB-C port.
  • Better ingress protection
    This portable speaker has better ingress protection than the average portable speaker (IPX7 vs IPX5).
    IPX7 vs IPX5
  • 18.3% higher user score
    User score
    9.5/ 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 Pulse 4
    the average portable speaker
    JBL Pulse 4 has a higher user score than the average portable speaker (9.46 vs 8).
    9.46 vs 8
  • 2.33x more popular
    JBL Pulse 4 is more popular than the average portable speaker (9.82 vs 4.21).
    9.82 vs 4.21
  • Provides 360-degree sound
    This portable speaker provides 360-degree sound, while the average portable speaker does not provide 360-degree sound.
    Provides omnidirectional 360° sound radiation.
  • 7 mm larger main driver
    This portable speaker has a larger main driver than the average portable speaker (57 mm vs 50 mm).
    57 mm vs 50 mm
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Has a USB Type-C port
    This portable speaker has a USB Type-C port, while the average portable speaker does not have a USB Type-C port.
    Has a physical USB-C port.
  • 4,660 mAh more battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a larger battery capacity than the average portable speaker (7,260 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    7,260 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • 5 W higher charging input power
    This portable speaker has higher charging input power than the average portable speaker (15 W vs 10 W).
    15 W vs 10 W
  • 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
  • 3 more adjustable EQ bands
    This portable speaker has more adjustable EQ bands than the average portable speaker (3 vs 0).
    3 vs 0
  • 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.
  • 8.5 cm narrower
    This portable speaker is narrower than the average portable speaker (9.6 cm vs 18.1 cm).
    9.6 cm vs 18.1 cm
  • 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 rated as dust resistant
    This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant, while the average portable speaker is dust resistant.
  • 9 dB SPL lower maximum sound pressure
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum sound pressure level than the average portable speaker (83 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL).
    83 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 have a 3.5 mm AUX input
    This portable speaker does not have a 3.5 mm AUX input, while the average portable speaker has a 3.5 mm AUX input.
    No built-in 3.5 mm AUX input.
  • 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
  • 1 fewer speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has fewer speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (1 vs 2).
    1 vs 2
  • 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
  • 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
  • 88.9% more expensive
    JBL Pulse 4 is more expensive than the average portable speaker (£170 vs £90).
    £170 vs £90
  • 9 dB SPL lower maximum sound pressure
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum sound pressure level than the average portable speaker (83 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL).
    83 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
  • 1 fewer speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has fewer speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (1 vs 2).
    1 vs 2
  • 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
  • Does not have a 3.5 mm AUX input
    This portable speaker does not have a 3.5 mm AUX input, while the average portable speaker has a 3.5 mm AUX input.
    No built-in 3.5 mm AUX input.
  • 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
  • Is not rated as dust resistant
    This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant, while the average portable speaker is dust resistant.
  • 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
  • 8.3 cm taller
    This portable speaker is taller than the average portable speaker (20.7 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    20.7 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 460 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (1,260 g vs 800 g).
    1,260 g vs 800 g

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

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pcmag.com
09/10/2019
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T
techradar.com
23/10/2019
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E
ecoustics.com
07/03/2021
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C
cgmagonline.com
09/06/2021
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rtings.com
16/02/2024
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uk.pcmag.com
09/10/2019
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au.pcmag.com
10/10/2019
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R
resonancereviews.com
05/11/2019
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T
trustedreviews.com
22/01/2020
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L
latestintech.com
12/10/2020
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C
chip.de
30/04/2020
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A
areadvd.de
07/09/2019
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computerbild.de
19/11/2019
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A
allround-pc.com
09/01/2020
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L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
24/11/2019
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M
macitynet.it
22/12/2019
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S
smartworld.it
02/03/2020
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G
gqitalia.it
21/04/2020
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tg24.sky.it
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Third-party reviews

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

What customers like about JBL Pulse 4

  • Stunning and customizable 360-degree LED light show
  • Clear, crisp sound quality with a balanced mid-range
  • Sturdy, premium, and durable build quality
  • IPX7 waterproof rating ideal for pool or outdoor use
  • Reliable and quick Bluetooth connectivity
  • Convenient USB-C charging port
  • PartyBoost feature allows pairing with compatible JBL speakers

What customers don't like about JBL Pulse 4

  • Lacks low-end sub-bass and deep rumble
  • Relatively heavy and bulky for a highly portable speaker
  • Expensive pricing compared to other speakers with similar audio specs
  • Acrylic outer shell is highly prone to fingerprints and smudges
  • No 3.5mm auxiliary (AUX) input or standard USB port
  • Lacks speakerphone capability and voice assistant functionality
  • No built-in equalizer (EQ) customisation tools in the app
  • Bass response noticeably drops off at maximum volumes
  • Not backward compatible with older JBL Connect Plus speakers

Verdict

The JBL Pulse 4 is a portable Bluetooth 4.2 speaker that delivers 20W RMS of 360-degree signature sound through a 2.25-inch upward-firing transducer and a bottom passive radiator. Its primary characteristic and pro is the stunning, high-resolution 360-degree LED lightshow that visualizes music and can be customized via the companion app or synced with other units by shaking. Powered by a 7,260 mAh battery, it offers up to 12 hours of playtime on a 3.5-hour USB-C charge, while its robust IPX7 waterproof rating allows it to be safely submerged up to 3 feet deep. However, notable cons include the total omission of a 3.5mm AUX input, lack of a built-in microphone/speakerphone, and a slightly heavy build at 2.8 pounds.

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

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