Go 4 It!

Small speakers have a habit of making big promises and then whispering when you press play. The JBL Go 4 is not interested in that tradition. This little brick of sound turns up, shows off, and somehow convinces you that size really is just a suggestion. If you have ever wanted music to follow you without dragging cables, stands, or fragile gear along for the ride, this is where the conversation starts.

The first thing you notice about the JBL Go 4 is how unapologetically portable it is. You can toss it on a coffee table, drop it into a backpack, or park it on the edge of a patio table without a second thought. It looks at home anywhere people gather, which is exactly the point. This is not a speaker that wants to live permanently in a studio. It wants sunlight, laughter, and the occasional spilled drink nearby.

Patios are where the Go 4 really earns its keep. That awkward moment when everyone is outside, the door is open, and the music is still trapped indoors is solved instantly. The Go 4 sits happily among cups, plates, and phones, pushing out sound that is surprisingly punchy for something you can hold in one hand. Friends instinctively lean in at first, then quickly relax when they realize they do not have to. The sound fills the space without shouting, which makes it perfect for groups who want music without killing conversation.

That confidence outdoors is backed up by one of the most practical features JBL includes here - waterproofing. This is the kind of specification that sounds boring until the first time it saves your day. A splash from the pool. A knocked over drink. A sudden rain shower that nobody saw coming. The Go 4 shrugs it all off. You stop worrying about protecting your speaker and start using it, which is exactly how portable gear should behave.

That waterproof design also explains why the JBL Go 4 has quietly become a bathroom favorite in our house. My wife received one as a gift and it follows her from room to room before settling into shower duty. Podcasts and the occasional music break sound clear and present through steam and running water. It is not glamorous, but it is one of those real world use cases that tells you more than any spec sheet ever could.

Battery life is another area where the Go 4 punches above its weight. You can comfortably get through multiple listening sessions without reaching for a charger. Patio afternoons turn into evening hangouts with up to 7 hours of listening. When you do need to charge it, it is quick and painless, which means less time tethered to a wall and more time actually using the thing.

Sound quality is where expectations usually need to be managed with small speakers, but the JBL Go 4 does an impressive job of ignoring that rule. It delivers a punchy, confident sound that feels bigger than it should. Bass is present without being muddy, vocals are clear, and podcasts sound natural rather than boxy. It will not replace studio monitors or a full size system, but that is missing the point entirely. For its size, the Go 4 sounds genuinely fun.

What makes the JBL Go 4 easy to recommend is how little effort it demands. Pairing is quick. Controls are simple. There is no learning curve or fiddling required. You turn it on, connect your phone, and music happens. In a world full of overcomplicated tech, that simplicity feels refreshing.

The JBL Go 4 is not trying to be the center of your setup. It is trying to be the speaker that quietly becomes part of your routine. The one that joins friends on the patio, survives the chaos of real life, and somehow ends up playing podcasts through shower steam. It is compact, tough, and far louder than it has any right to be. Sometimes, that is exactly what you need.