Review: JBL Grip Bluetooth Speaker

With tons of models to choose from, I think it’s fair to say we have hit peak portable speaker. From tiny, $25 devices that will fit in a pocket, to massive, $400-plus boom boxes that require a built-in handle or shoulder strap, there’s a Bluetooth speaker for nearly every budget and gathering size.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for yet another model, as JBL proves with its new $100 JBL Grip. It’s essentially a smaller and lighter version of the company’s hugely popular Flip series, placing it between the Flip 7 and the JBL Go 4/Clip 5 on the portability scale. For some folks, that’s going to be the goldilocks zone. But just to sweeten the deal, JBL has reached into its toolbox and given the Grip an integrated LED light show, clearly inspired by the brand’s popular PartyBox lineup of party speakers.

Small and Light

In keeping with JBL’s colorful approach to its smallest speakers, the Grip is available in red, white, black, purple, “squad” (a camo motif), and blue (pictured here). It’s 32 percent smaller than the JBL Flip 7— but it’s the Grip’s weight that will make throwing it in a backpack feel like an easy decision: At 0.8 pounds, the Grip is less than half the weight of the Flip 7 (1.8 pounds), making it light enough to hang from tree branches that would buckle under the Flip 7.

Photograph: Simon Cohen

Despite the Grip’s smaller size, JBL pegs battery life on both speakers at the same 14-hour maximum. On the Grip at least, that might be overpromising. When I ran the speaker at 50 percent volume continuously, I only got about 10.5 hours. Using JBL’s PlayTime Boost mode could help if you really need to eke out a few more songs.

The familial similarities continue with the Grip’s ability to withstand the elements. Like the Flip 7, it’s rated IP68, making it effectively dust- and waterproof. They’re both shockproof, and yet the Grip is arguably more durable, since both ends are solid silicone rubber. The Flip’s ends are passive radiators, which could be permanently damaged by a sharp object. Just keep in mind that while the Grip won’t be bothered by immersion in water, it doesn’t float. So if you toss it in the pool, someone will be diving in to retrieve it.

The one difference between these siblings (other than size, power, and the Grip’s built-in light show) is orientation. While the Flip 7 can be used vertically or horizontally, the Grip is designed for vertical use only. Not that there’s anything stopping you from laying it down—the built-in loop will keep it from rolling too far. But the controls are positioned for easier access when standing up, and the rear LED panel will end up partially obscured if the speaker is sideways.

Photograph: Simon Cohen

Lava Lamp

Speaking of that LED panel, it’s a fun add-on, but don’t expect it to light up your get-together. There are four colors to choose from (purple, red, an icy blue, and a vibrant blue), controlled by the JBL Portables app, and five display modes: four that animate and one that’s static. At full brightness, it can’t compete with a well-lit room, and outdoors, you’ll definitely have to keep your expectations in check. Still, in a darkened room, with the Grip near a corner or wall, it can create a subtle mood. Unfortunately, the four animated modes (Bounce, Trim, Switch, and Neon) don’t sync to your music, so the effect is more lava lamp than disco light. If you want a beat-coordinated light show, consider the excellent Tribit StormBox Mini+ ($40), which has a top-mounted LED ring with this feature.

The one thing about the LED panel that perplexes me is its placement: It’s on the “rear” of the speaker. If you can see the light show, it means the Grip’s single racetrack driver is facing away from you. It’s not a massive difference in sound quality, but it’s noticeable, especially in the upper midranges and highs, which lose some of their clarity.

Photograph: Simon Cohen

Impressive Sound

JBL continues to prove that it’s a wizard at getting big, full-range sound out of small speakers. For its size, the Grip produces clear, balanced audio that can get surprisingly—even painfully—loud. At 400 square feet and 10 to 15 feet tall, our garage is a fairly big space. At 60 percent volume, the Grip easily filled it with sound. At 75 percent volume, if you stood too close to it, it could be an uncomfortable experience, and at 85 percent it was overwhelming. I promise that your friends will do a double-take when they realize this little cylinder is the source of your tunes.

With this much power comes the risk of distortion, and when push comes to shove, the Grip can lose its hold on the lows. I admit it’s a bit of an edge case, but if you take advantage of JBL Portables app’s custom EQ setting and push the lowest slider (125 Hz) to its max, some bass-heavy tracks will create audible clipping, even at relatively low volume levels. Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” is a worst-case scenario for bass management, and unless you stick with one of the Grip’s four factory presets (Signature, Chill, Energetic, or Vocal), the speaker will noticeably distort.

That’s less of a critique and more of a public service announcement. Stick with the presets (or make judicious use of the custom EQ) and 99 percent of the time you’ll be fine.

For comparison’s sake, I tried out the Grip alongside the $40 Tribit Stormbox Mini+, the $99 UE Miniroll, and the $150 JBL Flip 7. The Grip proved more powerful and precise than the Stormbox Mini+, though its soundstage wasn’t as generous. The Miniroll offers greater detail, especially for vocals, but can’t deliver as much low end or punch as the Grip. Needless to say, the Flip 7 outclasses all three of these speakers, but the difference isn’t as pronounced as I expected. When regularly priced, the Flip costs 50 percent more than the Grip, yet I’m not convinced you’re getting 50 percent more bang for your buck.

Stereo or Multispeaker

Sadly, JBL only sent me one evaluation speaker, so I couldn’t test the Grip’s ability to stereo-pair with another Grip. I did, however, try JBL’s version of Auracast. You can’t use the Grip to tune in to a public Auracast broadcast, but you can use it to beam audio from the Grip to a compatible JBL speaker like the Flip 7, Xtreme 4, Charge 6, or Go 4 (or vice versa). I tried it with the Flip 7 and it worked really well, with the Flip filling in some of the lower frequencies that the Grip misses.

Photograph: Simon Cohen

What JBL Grip gets right is its size, sound, and ruggedness. Where the value equation falls a bit short are the extras you’ll find on competitive products, but which the Grip lacks. It can’t double as a speakerphone, for instance, and there’s no auxiliary input for digital or analog audio sources. None of its buttons are backlit, and it doesn’t come with its own charging cable.

Only you know whether this matters, but it’s worth noting that the Stormbox Mini+ has them all and costs less than half the Grip’s asking price.

Despite these omissions, it’s hard not to like the Grip. It manages to deliver massive sound from a highly portable package that you can fearlessly toss in your backpack or cross-body bag, knowing it will hardly weigh you down. And when you get to your destination, it will take nearly anything you throw at it. Personally, I’d choose to forego the built-in LED light show if I could drop the price by $20. Still, there’s no denying that flashing multicolor LEDs are no longer just for gamers, and it might just be the thing that gives JBL a grip on this holiday season.