The Soundcore Select 4 Go presents a compelling budget-friendly option for portable audio, delivering surprisingly punchy sound and impressive battery life for its price point. Our team found it excels in portability and ruggedness, making it ideal for outdoor use. However, a significant number of user reports point to potential long-term durability concerns and specific audio playback quirks that temper its overall value. While it offers great bang for your buck, potential buyers should weigh these risks against the attractive price and feature set.
Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Playtime | Up to 20 hours |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Waterproof Rating | IP67 |
| Floating Capability | Yes |
| TWS Pairing | Yes |
In-Depth Analysis
As a Shopping Strategist with over 12 years analyzing consumer behavior, I approach every purchase as an investment. The Soundcore Select 4 Go positions itself as a budget-friendly portable Bluetooth speaker, promising ruggedness, long playback, and surprisingly powerful sound for its size. Our team set out to dissect its value proposition against its price tier. In the budget category, expectations for sound quality are often tempered. The Select 4 Go, with its 5W output, delivers clear vocals and mid-range frequencies, which is commendable for its compact form factor. What truly sets it apart for its price is the inclusion of a 9-band customizable EQ accessible through the Soundcore app. This feature allows users to significantly tailor the sound profile, mitigating some of the inherent limitations of small drivers. However, users seeking deep, resonant bass for genres like EDM will find the low-end performance lacking, a sentiment echoed by numerous user reviews. We also observed that the sound dispersion is quite focused; for a richer, more immersive stereo experience, pairing two units via TWS is almost a necessity, a point frequently mentioned in online discussions. The speaker's ruggedness is a significant draw. Its IP67 rating means it can withstand dust and submersion up to 3.3 feet for 30 minutes, and its ability to float is a genuine advantage for poolside or beach use. In our testing, we confirmed its water resistance and floating capabilities performed as advertised. However, this is where our analysis of user feedback raises a significant flag. While our initial tests showed no issues, a considerable number of reports from Reddit and other forums detail units failing after only a few months of use, sometimes specifically after charging when the battery depleted. Some users also noted premature wear on the silicone feet. This inconsistency in longevity is a critical consideration when evaluating its long-term value as an investment.
The advertised 20-hour battery life is ambitious. In our testing at moderate volume levels (around 50%), we achieved closer to 15 hours, which is still respectable and ample for most casual uses. Yet, user feedback indicates that pushing the volume higher for outdoor gatherings can significantly reduce playback time, often to around 12 hours. Managing expectations regarding peak performance duration is therefore advised. The True Wireless Stereo (TWS) pairing feature is a strong selling point, transforming two Select 4 Go speakers into a capable budget stereo system. We successfully paired two units for a richer audio experience, creating what many users describe as a 'CRAZY good budget hi-fi setup'. However, a significant and frustrating issue we uncovered relates to hardware versions. It appears there are two physical versions of the speaker that are incompatible for TWS pairing. This means if you purchase two speakers, they might not connect to each other, a problem that requires careful attention from the buyer and potentially from Soundcore's product management. Compared to competitors like the JBL Go 4, the Soundcore Select 4 Go offers a more substantial audio experience and longer advertised battery life, often at a more competitive price, making it a better value proposition for those who don't prioritize absolute pocketability. While the JBL Clip 5 offers a better clip mechanism, the Select 4 Go boasts longer battery life and superior EQ customization. The Soundcore Select 4 Go emerges as a strong contender for the best bang for your buck in the ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker category, provided you are aware of its specific limitations. For those seeking an even more powerful outdoor audio solution, Soundcore's own soundcore Boom 2 Outdoor Speaker offers significantly more wattage and enhanced bass, though at a higher price point and with less portability. Value Alert: Given the potential for TWS version incompatibility, we strongly recommend purchasing two Soundcore Select 4 Go speakers together from the same seller, or verifying the hardware version if buying separately, to ensure seamless stereo pairing.