Best JBL Portable Speakers 2025: Which Is Right For You?

JBL Portable Speakers: Range Overview

JBL has made some big moves in 2025, and their portable speaker range is better than ever. Whether you’re blasting tunes at a beach party, enjoying music at home, or just chilling in the garden. With their bold designs, weatherproof build and room-filling sound, JBL Portable Speakers continue to be a go-to for music lovers who want quality audio on the go.

Throughout this blog, we’ve broken down the full portable range with everything you need to know including sound quality, battery life, size, and features to help you find the best JBL portable speaker for you without the hassle.

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JBL Portable Speakers  - Quick Overview

JBL Go 4 - For Extreme Portability

At just £39.99, the JBL Go 4 is still one of the most affordable ways to get that signature JBL sound in your pocket. This ultra-compact speaker packs a punch, delivering even better audio performance than its predecessor.

With an IP67 rating, it’s both waterproof and dustproof—ideal for outdoor listening, travel, or day-to-day use. The new streetwear-inspired colours add a bold, youthful edge that we think will be especially popular with younger listeners. Based on our hands-on testing, we’ve been genuinely impressed by how much sound this small speaker can produce. It’s a smart pick for anyone after great audio in a truly portable package.

Is the JBL Go 4 Speaker Right for Me?

✓ The JBL Go 4 makes a great holiday companion. It’s budget-friendly, so you won’t stress about taking it out and about, and it still delivers great sound. Plus, with its waterproof and dustproof design, it’s perfect for beach days, leaving you with no worries about sand or splashes.

✖ If you’re off on a long adventure with no power source, keep in mind this speaker only has up to 9 hours of battery life.

JBL Clip 5 - For the Explorers

If you're after a speaker that’s built for adventure, the JBL Clip 5 is a great choice. While it keeps the same ultra-portable form factor and signature clip design, there are some smart improvements that make it even better on the go. The carabiner is now fully integrated into the frame for added durability, and the upgraded speaker driver delivers noticeably fuller, more balanced sound.

We’ve tested both versions side by side, and the Clip 5 comes out ahead in terms of clarity and overall loudness, making it a great pick for outdoor use or solo listening on the move. The control buttons are still simple and responsive, and with improved Bluetooth performance and battery life, it feels like a more refined experience overall.

Is the JBL Clip 5 Speaker Right for Me?

✓  The Clip 5 is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and casual cyclist’s due to its clever design. You could even hang this speaker in the shower as it’s splash-proof, so there’s nothing to worry about!

✖ As it’s a relatively small speaker, the audio doesn’t get loud enough to power medium-large gatherings or noisy areas.

JBL Flip 7 - For the Music Lovers On-The-Go

A long-standing favourite in JBL’s portable speaker range, the Flip 7 builds on what made previous models so popular: compact design, rugged build, and great sound, but adds a few clever upgrades.

It’s now rated IP68, meaning it's protected against dust, dirt, and sand, and can be submerged up to a maximum depth of 1.5 meters underwater. Sound-wise, the big news is AI Sound Boost, which intelligently adapts the audio in real-time for clearer, louder playback with less distortion. JBL have also refined the tweeter for improved clarity in the high frequencies, giving vocals and detail more presence. We also like the addition of a 7-band EQ in the JBL Portable app, which gives you more control over how your music sounds.

Battery life has been extended to 14 hours, or up to 16 hours with Playtime Boost. It now supports Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast, letting you link it with other compatible speakers, and there's even USB-C lossless playback for wired, high-res audio. The design has also had a thoughtful refresh too, with more ergonomic button placement and new push-lock accessories that make it even easier to take on the move.

Is the JBL Flip 7 Speaker Right for Me?

✓ This speaker would make one happy camper as its design means it’s small, lightweight and rugged enough to take just about anywhere. The 14-hour+ battery life is ideal if you’re travelling without access to a charging point.

✖ It’s not the biggest-sounding speaker in the JBL lineup, so if you’re after the widest soundstage especially for outdoor use it might be worth stepping up to a larger model like the Charge 6 or Xtreme 4.

Read More: JBL Flip 7 vs Flip 6: What's The Difference?

JBL Charge 6 - For Big Sound Indoors & Out

Think of the JBL Charge 6 as the Flip 7’s bigger, more powerful sibling—built for those who want deeper bass, louder volume, and longer playtime. It delivers seriously bold sound that holds up even in open outdoor spaces. It also keeps the handy built-in power bank functionality from the Charge 5, so you can top up your phone or other devices while you listen. Plus, with an upgraded IP68 rating, it’s ready for dust, splashes, and full submersion—perfect for beach days, festivals, or just relaxing by the pool!

The Charge 6 also steps things up with Auracast, letting you easily link it with other compatible JBL speakers. It also now supports USB-C lossless audio too, so if you're chasing the best possible sound from a wired connection, you're covered. Just keep in mind, you’ll need a compatible high-res streaming service to make the most of it.

Is the JBL Charge 6 Speaker Right for Me?

✓ For its size, this speaker is still pretty lightweight, which is really impressive seeing as it gives a BIG sound. This speaker is versatile enough to be used pretty much anywhere, from beach days to trips away. But we’d definitely recommend this speaker to people who can’t live without their phone, as the built-in power bank can be a lifesaver!

✖ As it’s more of a medium-sized speaker, it won’t be as easy to fit into small luggage as say the Flip 7 would be.

Read More: JBL Charge 6 vs Charge 5: 8 Reasons You Need To Upgrade!

JBL Xtreme 4 - For the Thrill Seekers

Awarded wireless speaker of the year in 2024 by WhatHi-Fi, the Xtreme 4 is a class-leader and it shows. Whether you're poolside, at a picnic, or hosting a garden party, the JBL Xtreme 4 brings serious power to any setting. It pumps out bold, immersive sound that’s made to be shared. And our personal favourite feature? The rugged carrying strap with a built-in bottle opener – because let’s be honest, no one ever remembers to pack one!

Is the JBL Xtreme 4 Speaker Right for Me?

✓ This is the perfect JBL speaker to keep any party going through the day and most of the night with the impressive battery life. If you want to power large open spaces and you’re also conscious about battery, this is one of the best options in the JBL portable speaker lineup.

✖ Due to its size, it’s not the sort of speaker you want to be carrying around if you have other luggage. Unless it’s all you’re carrying, in which case, you can use the carry strap.

JBL Boombox 3 - For the Bass Hunters

The clue is in the name - the Boombox 3 is a robust, powerful speaker, ready to bring the bass to any party - providing you with epic all-day rich deep sound. We’re really impressed by the 24-hour battery life which can double up as a power bank too.

Is the JBL Boombox 3 speaker for me?

✓ This speaker is the ultimate bass lovers dream. Hosting a party with no finish time? Don’t worry the 24-hour battery life will see you through!

✖ Being slightly older, the Boombox 3 doesn't support Auracast so isn't compatible with any of the newer models with that functionality.

Verdict

We love this range of portable speakers from JBL and there really is a speaker for any occasion. It's amazing how much power you can get from even their smallest speaker and they definitely haven't been any compromises on the quality.

Hopefully, this blog will help you choose the right speaker for you, based on your needs! If you do have any questions, please feel free to get get in touch with us via chat, email info@smarthomesounds.co.uk or phone 08006771100.

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Blog: JBL Charge 6 vs Charge 5: 8 Reasons You Need To Upgrade!

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For more information about JBL or any other products, get in touch and one of our Tech Guides would be happy to help!

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