JBL Waterproof Bluetooth Portable Speaker CLIP4ECOWHTAM

The Clip 4 Eco packs a 40mm full-range driver and a passive bass radiator into a body that weighs less than a can of soda. The output is 5 watts RMS, which doesn't sound like much on paper, but JBL's tuning punches well above that number. Bass is present and warm for a speaker this size. Mids are clear enough for podcasts and phone calls. Highs don't get harsh at full volume.

We tested it at the showroom against other mini speakers in the same range. The Clip 4 Eco fills a room better than you'd expect from something you can palm with one hand. It won't replace a Charge 6 for a backyard party, but for a desk, a tent, or a bathroom, it's more than enough.

IP67 means fully dustproof and submersible in up to 1 metre of water for 30 minutes. Not splash-resistant. Not "don't worry about a few drops." Fully submersible. Sand, dirt, pool water, snow, mud. The Clip 4 Eco handles all of it.

The integrated carabiner clip is made from the same durable material as the body. Hook it to a backpack strap, a belt loop, a bike handlebar, a shower rod. It's stiff enough to stay put but easy to open with one hand. JBL redesigned the clip shape from the original Clip 4, and it grabs onto thicker straps better now.

10 hours at moderate volume. That's a full day at the beach, a weekend camping trip if you're reasonable with playtime, or about two weeks of 30-minute shower sessions. Charging takes roughly 3 hours via USB-C. No proprietary cables, no adapters to lose.

Bluetooth 5.1 keeps the connection stable up to about 10 metres with a clear line of sight. Pairing is quick: hold the Bluetooth button, find it on your phone, done. One speaker at a time, no multipoint, but for a speaker this size, that's expected.

Here's what makes the Eco version different from the standard Clip 4. The outer shell is built with 90% post-consumer recycled plastic. The speaker grille fabric is 100% recycled. The packaging uses FSC-certified paper printed with soy-based ink. No single-use plastics in the box.

JBL didn't compromise on durability or sound quality to hit those numbers. The Eco version sounds identical to the standard Clip 4. Same driver, same tuning, same IP67 rating. You're getting the same speaker with a significantly smaller environmental footprint. That's a trade-off worth making.