JBL Flip 4

A LIFE-FRIENDLY BLUETOOTH SPEAKER THAT DOESN’T SKIMP ON SOUND.

PACKING SPLASHPROOF IPX7 certification into its tough, cylindrical form, the JBL Flip 4 is a speaker that’s genuinely capable of getting the party started — whether that’s lounging at home, chilling by the pool or enduring the travails of a camping trip. Crucially, it doesn’t sound too bad either, but in an increasingly crowded market, it doesn’t quite do enough to really stand out from the crowd.

What this cylindrical, ruggedised speaker lacks in design originality, however, it more than makes up for on the practicality front. The durable material lets the sounds flow while keeping dirt and debris out, while the sizeable rubber end-caps and body-hugging accents mean it can be comfortably chucked in your bag or mistreated at the beach without fear of damage.

On the performance front, bass is relatively beefy and well-rounded and there’s no unwanted clipping or distortion when the volume is cranked. The mid-range is lacking slightly, however. Vocals don’t exactly get lost, but neither are they punchy. The speaker’s sound is big, though. The linked bass radiators that protrude from either end of the speaker — moving with the beat — help cut distortion and offer a party-friendly sound with a decent amount of grunt.

You can sync a couple of handsets up to the speaker simultaneously, too, seamlessly switching between the two to create the ultimate playlist. The speaker’s Bluetooth abilities can also be used to take calls, with an inbuilt mic allowing it to double as a speakerphone.

The JBL Flip 4 has solid staying power, with its 3,000mAh capable of pumping out an impressive 12-hours of tunes between necessary trips to the mains.

It’s available in six different colours, including the traditional black and less outdoor-friendly white, as well as blue, red, grey and green.