JBL Clip 4 vs Bose SoundLink Micro (2021): Comparing Portable Mini Bluetooth Speakers

Mini Bluetooth speakers are great for picnics, hiking, pool parties and many more outdoor gatherings, simply because they are highly portable and easy to carry around. They can also sound good, provided that you aren’t in a very noisy environment. Today, we’ll be comparing two very popular speakers from well-known brands: the JBL Clip 4 and the Bose SoundLink Micro. Which of these two compact Bluetooth speakers is better?

JBL Clip 4 vs Bose SoundLink Micro Comparison Chart

Design

Both the JBL Clip 4 and Bose SoundLink Micro are lightweight and easy to carry around.

These two speakers are highly portable due to their compact sizes. The JBL Clip 4 measures 5.3 x 3.4 x 1.8 inches while the Bose SoundLink Micro is measured at 3.87 x 3.87 x 1.37 inches. They are also lightweight, with the JBL Clip 4 and Bose SoundLink Micro weighing 0.53 and 0.64 lbs, respectively.

As far as build quality goes, the JBL Clip 4 has a rugged build with tight netting covering the speakers and an integrated carabiner. The Bose SoundLink Micro, on the other hand, sports a silicone rubber exterior to protect the speakers. Both speakers are waterproof, but only the JBL Clip 4 is dustproof.

Contributing to these speakers’ portability are the integrated carabiner on the JBL Clip 4, and the strap that’s located at the back of the Bose SoundLink Micro. You can easily hook them to your belt, a backpack or your bag for easy carrying.

You can get the JBL Clip 4 in black, grey, blue, pink, squad (camo), red or white. On the other hand, the Bose SoundLink Micro is available in black, bright orange or midnight blue.

Features

The JBL Clip 4 is easier to setup, but the Bose SoundLink Micro has more features.

Using the JBL Clip 4 is a straightforward process. You just turn it on, pair it with your phone and it will work straight away. On the other hand, the Bose SoundLink Micro requires that you install the Bose Connect app before you can use it.

The Bose Connect app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. This app allows you to pair the speaker with your phone, as well as pair the speaker with another Bose SoundLink device, for stereo playback. Furthermore, the app also gives you the option pair multiple Bose SoundLink speakers so that you can play music in a much larger area.

When it comes to features, the JBL Clip 4 is pretty barebones, unlike the Bose SoundLink Micro, which also has a speakerphone function and voice input. The middle face button of the speaker is multi-functional and one of its functions is to activate voice controls.

Sound

The JBL Clip 4 can get louder than the Bose SoundLink Micro.

The overall sound of these portable mini speakers is decent, considering that they have a small form factor. At higher volumes, the JBL Clip 4 can get louder than the Bose SoundLink Micro, but the audio quality will take a hit.

The JBL Clip 4 and the Bose SoundLink Micro have a lot in common, in terms of how they sound. They both struggle to produce bass, but the mids sound accurate. The highs are recessed, so their overall sound is a bit veiled. We give a slight advantage to the JBL Clip 4 in this area.

If you want something that sounds better than these two, we recommend that you also take a look at the UE WONDERBOOM 2. Here is our JBL Clip 4 vs UE WONDERBOOM 2 comparison.

Battery Life

The JBL Clip 4 has a longer lasting battery than the Bose SoundLink Micro.

When it comes to battery life, the JBL Clip 4 trumps the Bose SoundLink Micro. The JBL Clip 4 can last up to 10 hours, which is good. Of course, its battery life will depend on your usage. As for the Bose SoundLink Micro, it can last up to 6 hours, which is decent, but might be too short for a lot of people.

Aside from having a longer battery life, the JBL Clip 4 also needs less time to get fully charged. It only takes 3 hours to fully charge it from an empty state, while the Bose SoundLink Micro needs 4 hours to get fully charged.

Verdict

The JBL Clip 4 offers better value, but the Bose SoundLink Micro is worth it if you need its extra features.

With its rugged build, longer battery life and more straightforward setup, the JBL Clip 4 is the better overall mini Bluetooth speaker. It’s also cheaper, so it offers better value overall. If you need a small portable speaker for your outdoor adventures, the JBL Clip 4 should definitely be on your shortlist. As for the Bose SoundLink Micro, it’s still a good choice if you need its features, specifically, its voice assistant support and speakerphone functions. However, if you don’t need these features, it’s better to go with the cheaper JBL Clip 4.

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Last update on 2022-05-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API