I’m decidedly not an audiophile; instead, I’m closer to what my 7-going-on-17-year-old daughter might describe as an audio bore. I’m happy with almost any speaker, content to blast the same four albums—always reluctant to stray from my favorites—on the nearest paired device. I can never remember the name of a song or the artist who sings it, and when it’s time to switch things up, I usually just rely on the surprisingly good Spotify algorithm to make me a playlist.
My partner, on the other hand, has more specific aural preferences. A former music journalist, he’s the type of person for whom contemplating the direction of the soundwaves emitted from his carefully curated high-fidelity audio system—featuring a pair of cult-favorite Ojas speakers that came in a kit of plywood panels and electronic parts that he had to build himself—relative to the position of our couch is a favorite pastime.
His encyclopedic knowledge of music is rivaled only by his increasingly worrisome record collection (approximately 2,500 and counting, judging by the almost-daily square packages delivered to our doorstep), which takes over an entire wall in our house. He is the one in our household who cues up the right songs to start the day or to serve as background music during dinner parties, and I am more than happy for him to take on the role of my personal DJ.
In short, he spends a disproportionate amount of time thinking about how music sounds—and since I gifted him the JBL Go 3 portable speaker last Christmas, it’s been one of his favorite ways to listen. I’ve since tested the JBL Go 4, the latest version, which is a pick in Wirecutter’s guide to the best portable Bluetooth speakers. And I like it even better than the Go 3 for its fuller tone and ease of use.
Best for
This speaker is small enough to fit in a pocket, yet it still sounds good. It doesn’t really have any bass, though, and its five-hour battery life is shorter than that of our other picks.
My initial purchase was an admittedly last-minute decision fueled by a really good Black Friday sale, a small token in the midst of a busy holiday season where we were closing on a house and not in the financial mood for any other big purchases.
A flicker of doubt passed my mind before I hit the buy button: Would this tiny, somewhat cheap-looking wireless speaker meet the discerning standards of an extreme audiophile? But as I looked through online reviews, its solid reputation convinced me; in fact, Wirecutter’s audio experts anointed the Go 4 as one of our favorite portable speakers because “unlike most of the ultra-compact Bluetooth speakers we’ve tried, it produces a satisfying, reasonably full sound.”
Of the several Bluetooth speakers that populate various drawers and surfaces in our household, the JBL Go is the one that my partner drops into his tote when he’s traveling. Depending on the length of the trip, he sometimes doesn’t even take the USB-C charger along. (Wirecutter’s testing found that the battery on the newest version of this speaker, the JBL Go 4, lasts about five hours, or up to nine hours if you use the Playtime Boost feature—and that’s plenty for a weekend trip.) “You always need music in a hotel room, and with this speaker you don’t have to think about it,” he says.
The JBL Go’s best assets are its durability and compact size. Its rugged design features a thick corded loop for easy carrying, and its dimensions—generally equivalent to those of an overly stuffed wallet—make it a joy to tuck in your hand when it’s time to go. The speaker is great for outdoor use: Thanks to its fabric cover and lack of extreme crevices, you can easily shake off dirt and sand, and it’s IP67-rated, which means it’s fully waterproof.
It’s ideal for family beach days. As soon as we find the perfect spot in the sand, we fire it up and forget about it; after a long day, we can toss it back into our beach bag underneath damp towels and wet beach toys without worry.
We’ve taken the speaker on hikes and picnics, too. The fact that it’s so small and doesn’t require a delicate touch really makes it a no-brainer to pack if you are on the fence as to whether to have a soundtrack for your adventure.
As for the audio quality, don’t expect full bass-amplified tones. Even I notice the slightly tinnier experience when using this speaker, in comparison with a larger portable Bluetooth speaker. And yet the JBL Go defies its size with a satisfyingly robust sound and volume, filling your surroundings with a pleasant, soul-touching sound.
At the beach, it creates an intimate cone of sound around our little group. It isn’t powerful enough to drown out the waves, but that’s probably for the best; it adds ambiance without ever making us feel like we’re imposing our background music onto our neighbors. At home, the speaker is terrific for impromptu backyard hangs, and it’s small enough that I can grab it on my way out the door when I already have a stack of plates and a few wine glasses in my hands.
Like the best sorts of gifts between people who live together, my partner’s JBL Go has at this point become “our” JBL Go. It’s a staple in our household for outdoor adventures and the perfect accessory when we’re looking to have a relaxing time with a pleasing playlist. Just know that I won’t be the one DJing.
This article was edited by Maxine Builder and Catherine Kast.
