JBL Xtreme 4 speaker: A powerful portable for parties

The fourth generation of JBL's Bluetooth travel speaker is beefier, better protected from the elements, and louder than ever.

JBL is a major player in the portable speaker market, offering Bluetooth speakers ranging from the very small Clip and Go series to the giant Boombox (fave.co/310yxdL). In between are the medium-size options: the Pulse, Flip, Charge, and Xtreme.

The model names are well established in our minds, and most of the speakers are now in their third or fourth generation. At CES in January, JBL presented the mischievous Clip 5 and Go 4, as well as the long-awaited piece Xtreme 4 (fave.co/4ctQkr5).

The Xtreme series has been something of a favorite among our editors (fave.co/4cAkU27). Optimal for those who want to take a slightly larger speaker with them, whether it's to the pool, the beach, or a gathering in the park. With a fairly compact body weighing 4.6 pounds (2.1 kg), the Xtreme 4 isn't the lightest travel companion, but it will reward those who lug it along.

The Xtreme 4 is available in three colors: black, blue, or camouflage. Since the speaker lacks an integrated handle, it comes with an adjustable carrying strap that can be hooked to the top if you prefer to hang it over your shoulder instead of transporting it in a bag or something similar. A fun detail is that the buckle on the strap itself can also be used as a bottle opener.

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