Portable Bluetooth speakers allow you to take your music anywhere. With compact designs and built-in batteries, they make it easy to listen to your favorite tunes whether you’re at home, at the park, or on the go. Two popular options for portable Bluetooth speakers are the JBL Clip 4 and Sony XB13. But which one is better?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the JBL Clip 4 and Sony XB13 head-to-head. We’ll look at design, features, sound quality, battery life, and more. By the end, you’ll know which portable Bluetooth speaker is the best choice for your needs and budget. Let’s dive in!
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | JBL Clip 4 | Sony XB13 |
| Design | Clip for attaching, IP67 waterproof | Cylindrical, IP67 waterproof |
| Driver Size | 40mm | 46mm |
| Sound Quality | Crisp mids and highs | Enhanced bass |
| Maximum Volume | Very loud | Not as loud |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours (8-9 real world) | Up to 16 hours (12-14 real world) |
| Voice Assistant Access | Dedicated button | N/A |
| Speakerphone | Yes | Yes |
| PartyBoost | Yes | No |
| Companion App | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $79.95 ($59.95 on sale) | $58 |
Design
The design is an important consideration when choosing a portable Bluetooth speaker. You want something compact and lightweight that’s easy to take anywhere. Here’s how the JBL Clip 4 and Sony XB13 compare:
- JBL Clip 4 – As the name suggests, the JBL Clip 4 features a clip design so you can easily attach it to a bag, belt loop, or bike handlebars. It has a squarish shape that’s about 3.7 inches wide. The entire speaker is IP67 waterproof and dustproof. It weighs just 0.6 pounds.
- Sony XB13 – Sony went for a cylindrical design with the XB13. It looks almost like a large soda can, measuring 3.9 inches high and 2.5 inches in diameter. While not as versatile as the JBL clip, the cylindrical shape can fit into cup holders and water bottle pockets. The XB13 has an IP67 waterproof rating as well. It’s very lightweight at just 0.6 pounds.
For portability, the JBL Clip 4 wins out thanks to its clever clip-on design. But both speakers have compact sizes and IP67 waterproof ratings making them easy to take anywhere.
Also Read: Is JBL Go 3 Better Than Clip 4?
Sound Quality
The most important factor for any speaker is how good it sounds. Let’s see how the audio quality of the JBL Clip 4 and Sony XB13 stack up:
- JBL Clip 4 – Inside the small JBL Clip 4 are a 40mm driver and dual passive radiators, which provide surprisingly powerful audio. The speaker can get very loud on the highest volume settings with minimal distortion. Mids and highs are crisp and clear. Lows have punch but lack the deepest bass you’d get with a larger speaker.
- Sony XB13 – Sony equipped the XB13 with a 46mm driver and passive bass radiator. Sound quality leans toward the bass and low-mids. So while the XB13 can’t match the JBL’s clarity in the higher frequencies, its extra bass boost makes music sound fuller. But the XB13 doesn’t get as loud as the Clip 4.
For audio quality, the JBL Clip 4 wins out with clearer mids and highs. But the Sony XB13 produces more thumping bass that some listeners will prefer. Both speakers can fill a room with sound.
Features
Portable Bluetooth speakers pack a lot of features into small packages. Here’s how the JBL Clip 4 and Sony XB13 compare on functionality:
- Wireless Connectivity – Both speakers have Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless music streaming from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. They can remember multiple paired devices and quickly reconnect.
- Waterproofing – As mentioned earlier, the JBL Clip 4 and Sony XB13 both have an IP67 rating making them dustproof and waterproof up to 3 feet for 30 minutes.
- Speakerphone – You can use either speaker for hands-free calls thanks to the built-in microphone. Call quality sounds decent on both models.
- Voice Assistant Access – Only the JBL Clip 4 provides direct access to your phone’s voice assistant like Siri or Google Assistant with the push of a button.
- PartyBoost – JBL’s PartyBoost lets you wirelessly connect multiple JBL speakers together for amplified sound. Unfortunately, the Sony XB13 lacks this feature.
- Companion App – JBL and Sony each offer a companion app for your speaker with EQ presets, firmware updates, stereo pairing, and more.
The JBL Clip 4 pulls ahead on features with direct voice assistant access and PartyBoost compatibility. But both speakers cover the basics like Bluetooth 5.1, speakerphone, and an IP67 rating.
Also Read: Is JBL Flip Essential Better Than Flip 5?
Battery Life
Portable Bluetooth speakers need sufficient battery life to keep your music going all day. Here is how the battery performance shakes out:
- JBL Clip 4 – With its rechargeable 1000mAh battery, JBL says the Clip 4 can play for up to 10 hours on a single charge. In real-world testing, 8-9 hours of playback is more typical at moderate volume levels.
- Sony XB13 – Sony equipped the XB13 with a larger 2500mAh battery. The company claims up to 16 hours of continuous music playback per charge. You can expect around 12-14 hours in normal use, an impressive number for such a small speaker.
For battery life, the Sony XB13 is the clear winner. It plays for significantly longer on a charge than the JBL Clip 4. Frequent travelers will appreciate the XB13’s superb battery stamina.
Price
You can’t talk about portable Bluetooth speakers without discussing the price. Let’s see how the JBL Clip 4 and Sony XB13 compare:
- JBL Clip 4 – The JBL Clip 4 retails for $79.95 but can be commonly found on sale for $59.95. That’s an affordable price for a feature-filled waterproof speaker.
- Sony XB13 – Sony prices the XB13 at $58. So it’s slightly cheaper than the JBL Clip 4. But being a newer model, deals aren’t as easy to find yet.
At normal retail pricing, the Sony XB13 wins out as the more affordable option. But if you can catch a JBL Clip 4 sale, the two speakers will be closely matched on price. Either gives you great value for the cost.
Also watch the video!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Overall, the JBL Clip 4 is the better portable Bluetooth speaker. It offers superior sound quality, more extra features, and a really portable design. But the Sony XB13 does excel when it comes to battery life.
For portable Bluetooth speakers, JBL makes better quality options than Sony overall. Models like the JBL Clip series tend to have better sound, build quality, and features than comparably priced Sony speakers. However, Sony is known for making affordable personal audio devices.
The Sony SRS-XB12 is an older Sony Xtra Bass model. It does not sound as good or get as loud as the newer JBL Clip 4. The JBL Clip 4 is the better sounding and more feature-filled speaker in this matchup.
The Sony SRS-XB13 plays quietly at low to medium volumes compared to similar sized speakers like the JBL Clip 4. Sony tuned the XB13 to emphasize bass rather than maximum loudness. Using EQ settings in the Sony app, you can boost treble to increase the perceived loudness.
Also Read: Comparison Between SOUNDBOKS And DiamondBoxx.
The Verdict
So, which portable Bluetooth speaker reigns supreme – the JBL Clip 4 or Sony XB13?
Here is a quick recap:
- Design – JBL Clip 4 for its more portable clip-on style
- Sound Quality – JBL Clip 4 for better clarity, Sony XB13 for more bass
- Features – JBL Clip 4 has more extra features like PartyBoost
- Battery – Sony XB13 lasts significantly longer on a charge
- Price – Sony XB13 is slightly cheaper at regular retail cost
While it’s close, the JBL Clip 4 takes the win in this head-to-head match up. It sounds better across mids and highs, has more useful features like the voice assistant button, and remains very portable thanks to its clever clip-on design. But the Sony XB13 is an impressive little speaker too. It’s the choice for buyers who want deeper bass and longer battery life from their portable Bluetooth speaker. You really can’t go wrong with either pick here.