JBL Portable Grip Speaker

This is a great portable speaker. Bought to update from the JBL flip and impressed so far. It’s lightweight, and easy to carry around. The sound quality is great and it goes to a decent volume for its size. A brilliant feature is the ‘equaliser’ on the app which lets you change the sound to different vibes such as chill or energetic. I love that you can connect multiple speakers together for an even bigger sound and have music playing in different rooms. This is easy to do through the app. This speaker has a light feature which is a nice little bonus and can also be controlled through the app. The battery life is long lasting and would last an evening. I rate JBL as a brand, having had a previous speaker and earphones, which were also great products. The only downside is that it didn’t come with a charging cable. Other than that, it’s a great little speaker for travel, or just listening around the house.

A bit of background - I have used many JBL products, headphones, soundbars, speakers and portable speakers within the Grip category. Up until around a month ago the JBL Clip 5 was my go to, budget friendly, portable (bathroom friendly), speaker of choice. However, I left it on holiday and was seeking a replacement. I contemplated getting another Clip 5 (it's a great speaker) but then I had the opportunity to try the Grip at a price point which was very similar. On paper, the Grip 5 seems to have far superior specs, so I was expecting a huge leap in both sound output and audio quality. When the Grip arrived, I was quite surprised at how small it was, I was expecting it to be much larger. I was pleasantly surprised that it came with a loop/strap, which is something I was concerned about it not having as my primary use for this was in the shower. So, off to a great start, I turned it on, paired it with my phone, updated it and hung it up in the shower. This is when I realised that the reality is, acoustics in a shower, in a small bathroom, don't really allow for much greater output from a portable speaker than what I was getting previously with the Clip 5. Then there's the light, it's cool, I guess. In fact it might be useful if you're using this as a camping speaker or outside at a party, but for my use case, it doesn't really add any value and it remains turned off. In isolation, this would be a fantastic portable speaker and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, however when JBL have so many other excellent speakers (that are also cheaper) it's hard to recommend this over some of the other options if you're solely looking for a speaker to use in the bathroom.

For the size which is handheld almost like a can of drink, it is very portable. The sound initially I thought was on par with an Amazon Alexa echo dot, however, realising that the sound when louder is a lot clearer on this grip. The bass is minimal but clear. I think this is great if you are a workman. The bass sounds very good like a boom but the further you walk away, it isn’t as prominent. This is great to enjoy for yourself and not bother other people in the vicinity. There is an ambient light on the side which is there constantly. I think for the price it is good quality feel and sound. I would recommend

I bought this at a discount. The sound quality isn’t great, there’s some hissing in the bass, but the volume is good. It’s portable as well. Overall I wouldn’t buy this again at the full price.

Its compact design didn’t prepare me for the incredible sound quality it delivers. Every detail is crystal clear and can be heard throughout the entire house with the same clarity. It’s also lightweight and easy to carry, so I bring it along to parties and outings—and it never fails to impress my friends.

It is light and easy to carry in your bag on the move. Given this is a size it still delivers a great sound along with amazing range in how loud it goes to the distant away that you can still hear it, I only mine on low and the sound is more than enough for what I need. Linking it to my devices was so easy. All I had to do was open my Bluetooth settings on my devices and there it was in the list, click on the speaker and it is done, simple and quick. The casing around the speaker is durable fabric which makes it dust and waterproof, it also claims to have a drop proof too, but I was not inclined to test that, and I had no need to test that, as I am quite careful with my tech products. Overall, for the price, size and reasonably good sound for how compact it is, I highly recommend giving this a try if you want to buy a speaker for casual use and carrying in your bag when on the move and travelling.

Amazing speaker! Who would have guessed you could get so much sound out of a small speaker.

Got this speaker a few weeks ago and am surprised by the sound, for one woofer it has such good bass and crisp clear sound quality, only grumble is the fingerloop barely fits me pinky finger. Other then the loop the speaker it's amazing as I love it's grab and go style and use it everywhere nowadays, battery last ages before a charge is needed too! Over the weeks it's took a few bumps and even a fall into a dusty hard area, I dusted it off and it didn't even have any signs of damage, usually on previous speakers a simple bang off a side and there a scuff, this little beast could be dropped down two flights of stairs and I don't think it'd even care and would look brand new! Verdict: Great sound, loud, powerful, great battery, deep bass, rugged design, stunning lights, drop and scuff resistant!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The JBL Grip is everything you need in a to go speaker and more. Although it is small, it packs a punch. I always use it when I'm working in the garage since it's dustproof and dropproof, and after take it to the shower since it's waterproof as well. It's quick to connect to my phone so it's no hassle at all. The multicolored light on the back is a cool addition to add to the vibes as well. With 14 hours of playback I hardly ever have to worry about bringing a charger to keep the jams going. For the money you really can't go wrong!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This little guy exceeded my expectations when I took it with me on a lake camping trip recently. I'm pretty particular about audio quality, but was impressed by how full and rich the sound was for such a small device. The bass is surprisingly deep without overpowering the mids or highs, vocals stayed clear, and the speaker had no trouble projecting across our area. I pushed the volume more than once, and it held up without distorting, which speaks to its quality. Durability-wise, it handled the outdoors really well. The quality of sound stayed clear/unaffected despite it getting splashed on and knocked around in my backpack. Battery life lasted us the whole trip with hours of playback each day, and it even had some juice left when we packed up. For such a compact speaker, it delivers. If you're someone who cares about audio fidelity but also wants something truly easy to pack and resilient, this one is a solid pick.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was surprised by the sound coming out of this portable speaker. I mean it really sounded like a bigger speaker so much, I questioned the purpose of the bigger bluetooth speakers. Its omni directional sound was so good, you don’t have to point it in any specific direction. The app functionality if great and useful. To top it off is the very cool light bar on the back that looks like liquid and can change any color on beat. I can literally take it anywhere, you name it. JBL is professional grade in this arena. I mean if you look at the price compared to value and quality, it’s a no brainer. Always look for JBL…

Small size should afford a speakerphone yet no. Unfortunately JBL missed this. 🥺

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The JBL Grip is a compact Bluetooth speaker that feels built for portability without sacrificing too much on performance. Roughly the size of a tallboy can, it’s easy to toss in a bag or clip onto something with the built-in loop on the back. The design feels rugged and premium, with a durable rubber and fabric covering that gives confidence it could handle a few knocks along the way. It’s not overly heavy, but it has a satisfying weight that makes it feel solid. For its size, the battery life is impressive. I had no trouble getting through long listening sessions over multiple days without worrying about charging, which is more than I expected for a speaker this small. Sound quality is another pleasant surprise. While it’s a mono speaker (so you don’t get stereo imaging or a wide soundstage), it still projects clearly with balanced highs and mids, and the bass is respectable given its footprint. For casual listening, it more than gets the job done. Connectivity is straightforward, and it includes JBL’s new Auracast system for linking multiple speakers together. I wasn’t able to test this thoroughly since it’s not backward compatible with older JBL PartyBoost models, but in theory it offers more flexibility than their past linking systems. One feature I could do without is the light strip on the back. It cycles through a few basic modes (white on, red on, pulsing, wave), but it doesn’t sync to music or add anything meaningful to the experience. Worse, it drains battery life if left on, so it feels more like a gimmick than a useful addition. The only real disappointment in the box was the lack of a charger. It charges via USB-C, which is convenient since I already had compatible chargers, but it still would’ve been nice to include one. Overall, the JBL Grip strikes me as a great portable speaker. It’s rugged, easy to carry, simple to connect, and delivers sound that punches above its size. If you’re looking for something ultra-portable for everyday use, this is a solid pick (just don’t expect the light feature to wow you)

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Another great JBL speaker with all the great sound quality I’ve come to expect from JBL. Its size is small, but the sound quality is just as good as my Party Box and the lights are a nice addition, especially for evening use outside. While I didn’t test submerged in water, a dog bowl of water spilled on it and no impact on the speaker or the dog. Wireless Bluetooth easy to connect and easy to use for those of us who are not techies. The charge lasted for hours longer than we did. Big quality sound from a small speaker,

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I use the JBL GRIP while I’m grilling or when my family and myself are around the fire pit! The IP68 is great for when a stray rain shower tries to ruin your fun. With great sound, bass and a 12 hour battery life the JBL GRIP is a perfect companion to your family festivities. The AURACAST makes it really easy to link it with my other JBL speakers.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The JBL grip gives anyone the ability to bring studio quality sound everywhere you go. The simple, compact vertical design fits conveniently anywhere a beverage can would providing so many options to keep it nearby. The rubberized ends keep it in place and provides great protection. Adding that it is waterproof makes it a very rugged little speaker that can stand up to all the elements and truly go everywhere. The Grip has a backlight with a couple settings and can change between red or white and work as a small light or just provide a bit of ambiance. It’s perfect for camping or just hanging out in the backyard, but what I have loved the most is using it in the SHOWER. This thing turns your showers into and immersive symphony. The sound quality is very clean so incredibly FULL for such a compact size. Another awesome feature that I have finally been able to try is linking it to my other JBL speaker, the Flip 7, using Auracast. This connects both speakers that gives you so many additional possibilities from an incredible stereo experience or putting your music in multiple rooms or areas at once, or even filling a large space with ease. It is advertised to have 14 hours of battery life and uses usb-c for charging but does not come with any cord or charger. So far I have been very impressed as the battery seems to last so much longer.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Compact, yet powerful. This is a new entry into the JBL lineup. This little guy packs a punch. It is smaller than the JBL Flip, but larger than a JBL Clip. You can connect it to other speakers as well as use it for phone calls and listening to your favorite music. Pleased with its output.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Use it by the pool and patio. Product has good battery life and recharges fairly quickly. Good sound clarity and bass for a small unit. We had a bigger boom box and this is so much easier to tote around and still has comparable sound.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The JBL Grip is a cool little speaker that really surprised me with its sound. The bass is deep and punchy, especially when used indoors where it feels much fuller. Outdoors the bass isn’t quite as strong (which is expected with most small speakers), but it still sounds great. The build quality feels solid. Both ends are sealed, giving it a durable and waterproof look. It’s compact enough to slip into a bag or even a larger pocket, making it perfect for on-the-go use. Battery life is amazing, sustaining for hours even on full blast! The added lighting has cool patterns, and while not super bright, it doubles as a handy little light in a pinch. I do wish the Auracast feature was backwards compatible with party boost speakers to try out the feature. Overall, the JBL Grip is a solid compact speaker, worth checking out!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Firstly, I don’t normally use "small" speakers. I like big, bass-heavy speakers. However, there are times when portability and convenience take center stage. The JBL Grip really shines as a mini, travel-friendly Bluetooth speaker. It's small enough to fit in the side pouch of a backpack, in a purse, or any place where surface area is limited. There's even a small loop built into it so you can hang it from a hook, nail, screw, etc... on a wall or ceiling, or latch it onto your gear or what have you. While it's compact and lightweight, it still manages to produce quality, room-filling sound. It doesn’t offer deep, rich bass like larger speakers, but it's not meant to. For the size of the speaker, the bass is more than satisfactory, and the mids are fantastic along with crystal-clear highs. The battery life is excellent. I had it playing for a good 8 hours straight at moderate volume on more than one occasion with juice still left. The fact that the Grip is waterproof is a huge bonus. I left it outside on my patio during a rainstorm with no problem. The features integrated with the JBL Portable app are pretty cool. From the app, you can customize the mini light display show on the back of the speaker, link it with other speakers, and adjust the equalizer. There are some presets on the EQ, of which I prefer the "Chill" setting. There is also a feature in the app called "Playtime Boost" which seems to simply push the mids forward and slightly reduce the bass. It's supposed to help extend playtime while boosting the volume, but I did not put it to the test. Finally, the build and material of the speaker feels pretty durable. I dropped it on my stone patio accidentally, and it took it like a champ. Great little speaker overall.