Rated 5 out of
5
by
Kevorargh from
Excellent Speaker!
We just bought this to replace a JBL Flip speaker, and so far, we are delighted with it. The sound is fantastic for a little speaker and sounds full and clear.
Date published: 2025-10-28
Rated 5 out of
5
by
MeraUsa from
Nice Speaker
I bought this speaker a few days ago and I'm super happy with it. Even though it's small, it has incredible sound quality! And the battery lasts an impressive amount of time!
Date published: 2025-10-18
Rated 5 out of
5
by
BillyBob234 from
Amazing Speaker!
Amazing speaker! Who would have guessed you could get so much sound out of a small speaker.
Date published: 2025-09-22
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Bmanbill55 from
Small package but big performance
[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!
Date published: 2025-09-13
Rated 5 out of
5
by
kitkatt611 from
Great to have on the go
[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.
Date published: 2025-09-08
Rated 5 out of
5
by
LRollin from
Top Shelf Product that fits in your pocket
[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…
Date published: 2025-09-07
Rated 5 out of
5
by
rlmoyer from
Solid pick for an ultra portable speaker
[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)
Date published: 2025-09-03
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Beaglemommy from
BIG quality sound and lights from small speaker
[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,
Date published: 2025-09-03
Rated 5 out of
5
by
trfields76 from
Great little 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.
Date published: 2025-08-30
Rated 5 out of
5
by
JCin920 from
Compact, yet powerful
[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.
Date published: 2025-08-28
Rated 5 out of
5
by
jca5 from
Perfectly named product!!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Grip is perfectly named. It is easily gripped even for a female hand. It is the equivalent of holding a Red Bull or Michelob Ultra. I really like to flexible loop you can hang it with. It easily attaches to my gym bag and belt loop with a caribiner clip. The sound is, of course, phenomenal. Small but mighty.
I just wish it had come with its own charging cord in black to match it. I know people have the C-type charging cords, but not always an extra one that could be designated for it. It's definitely not a deal breaker but maybe would have been just a little perk included in the box. Also, a nice fabric drawstring bag you could store it in would have been nice. I'm thinking if someone went snooping through my bag it wouldn't be quite to obvious what it is and want to steal it!!! Just my opinion though.
Date published: 2025-08-23
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Scallywag from
Outdoor enjoyers will love this speaker
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The JBL Grip is an impressive little speaker that packs a big punch in a small form factor. Right out of the box, you can tell it’s built for adventure! Its dustproof and waterproof design makes it a reliable companion whether you’re in the shower, at the lake, or relaxing on the beach. I personally jam out every night when I am taking a shower.
Despite its compact size, the sound quality is fantastic. The highs are crisp, the mids are clear, and the bass is surprisingly punchy for such a small unit. It easily fills a room or outdoor space without distortion, making it feel like a much larger speaker.
Portability is another win here lightweight and easy to toss into a bag, yet rugged enough to handle water splashes and sandy environments. It’s the kind of speaker you don’t have to worry about, which makes it perfect for outdoor settings. The RGB lightstrip is a nice touch and can even tell you when the battery is running low.
If you’re looking for a durable, waterproof, and great sounding speaker for the shower or outdoor adventures, the JBL Grip is an excellent choice.
Date published: 2025-08-22
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Panama Jack from
Mind blowing clear fidelity!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have owned many small portable speakers in my life but this one is an eye opener. The lights on the grip are attention grabbing but far and away the sound is unequaled , super clear! The ease of connection is a must mention
Date published: 2025-08-22
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Teddymac11 from
A great small speaker
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Love, love, love this Bluetooth speaker.
I typically feel that the JBL flip is one of the best sounding small bt speakers out there. But this is a very close second place.
Amazing sound, excellent bass output for its size, a nifty light show, great adjustability with the JBL app.
Recently took this a long for a road trip across the country, and it performed amazingly.
Thank you JBL!
Date published: 2025-08-20
Rated 5 out of
5
by
SandyD from
Great little speaker
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The JBL Grip is a great little speaker. So far has ran 12 hours on full battery with life left to go. The sound quality is clear but could use a little more bass. It’s a sealed unit so it does seem water resistant. The size is perfect to hook and and carry around. The light on back is ok would be better if it went with the music. It did not come with a charger. Overall it’s a great little speaker with loud sound, great for a little get together by the fire pit.
Date published: 2025-08-20
Rated 5 out of
5
by
RichL from
Loud & Powerful!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] With a size of a 12oz can of energy drink, this little bluetooth speaker packs a serious PUNCH 👊🔊🎶🎵🎼 & without reading into the specs, I swear there's a subwoofer built-in - very loud & punchy bass, rattled the countertop I placed it on! At less than 50% volume, this beast can fill up a small bedroom & heck even a kitchen or living room! Its companion app is pretty intuitive & upon receipt when connected to my phone, it did prompt me to install a software update to the speaker. In the app, there are options for the light's color selections & strobing effects, or you can completely shut it off. Preset EQ selections are available in the app as well as an option to customize. There's a physical button to cycle through the light function in case you don't have your phone/app readily available. The size & shape is uber portable, fits right in my backpack's side pocket where water bottles & compact umbrellas go (see pic). Does not come with a usb-a to usb-c cable, just the speaker itself. This could very well be my go-to bluetooth speaker with a battery life advertised at +/-14 hours, easy to transport & brings the party!!!
Date published: 2025-08-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
TheRJ from
Great little speaker!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Convenience/Ease of Use: 9/10
Extremely easy to connect to. I had it out of the box and playing music in less than a minute. The form factor is super small, and comfortable to carry. I love the little soft hook. When I first noticed there wasn’t a USB cable included, I thought it was odd, but after thinking about it, EVERYTHING uses USB-C cables nowadays. I have like 50 USB-C cables, I’ve Definitlry even thrown some away before when cleaning. So, maybe some would want the cable included, but I’m glad it was not.
Sound Quality: 8/10
As with most JBL products, the sound quality is top notch. Crisp and clear high end, and a nice chunky low end. It has a big sound for such a small package! The one negative thing I will point out is: when the volume is cranked, the sound quality does decline some. I think this could be an issue with many portable speakers, but just don’t expect to be able to turn the volume all the way up without some loss of quality.
Battery Life: 10/10
Charged it fully initially, and haven’t had to since. I’ve used it for hours outside, poolside, and haven’t even had to think about charging it. This is a true 10/10 for me!!
Overall I love this little speaker. It’s an excellent value for what it is in relation to its competition. I own a lot of larger portable speakers, which, while clearly louder, I just don’t need that volume most of the time. The Grip will absolutely suffice for 90% of my portable speaker needs.
Date published: 2025-08-15
Rated 5 out of
5
by
VictorV from
My new favorite speaker!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I've been really impressed with my JBL Grip speaker, for something so small it delivers surprisingly powerful and clear sound with bass that feels and punchy. Connecting it to my phone is quick and hassle-free and stays connected without dropouts. The battery easily last a full day so I don't have to worry about charging during trips or long hangouts. It's lightweight, sturdy and perfect for bring to the beach, park or while hiking. Even at higher volumes the sound quality crisp. For the price its an absolute steal and quickly became my go-to speaker.
Date published: 2025-08-12
Rated 4 out of
5
by
glust24 from
Studio sound everywhere you can go
[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.
Date published: 2025-08-30
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Defensive Coach from
Good little speaker
[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.
Date published: 2025-08-26
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Eddie32 from
Solid Feel, Punchy Bass, and Great Battery Life
[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!
Date published: 2025-08-26
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Wallacabayka from
For a small, portable speaker, the JBL Grip shines
[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.
Date published: 2025-08-23
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Yaz1975 from
BIG Sound in a little portable package
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was honestly surprised at the compact size of this speaker. When I first received it, I didn't think it was that much smaller than a FLIP 6, but it is. Once out of the box it took less than a minute to pair with my phone and I was off and running. This isn't my first JBL product and I feel like that pairing process and connectivity gets easier each generation of speakers. I love the light on the back, there's a button that you can cycle through what color/style you would like, and it also gives you the option of turning it off which is a welcome option. Sound-wise, it's crazy loud for it's size. Fill a bedroom easily with music, this is a perfect travel speaker. Which is handy for me as I like to have white noise playing in my room/hotel room to help me sleep. The only drawback might be that this is pretty uni-directional for sound. The main speaker is just below the JBL logo and for best quality, it should be pointing towards you. I tried bringing this as a golf course speaker but when I placed it in the cupholder, it semi-blocked the sound so there's that. But that's a tiny detail and not something I or most people would run into. I added a picture next to an empty soda can for size reference. I honestly really like this little guy and am super glad to have it for it's versatility.
Date published: 2025-08-22
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Minisushi1212 from
Compact Power with a Touch of Light
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Design and Build:
The JBL Grip is clearly designed as a sibling to the Flip series, carrying over the familiar mesh outer fabric, rubberized buttons, and bold JBL logo on the front. When I first received this product and unboxed it, initially, I thought that JBL came out with a smaller variant of the Flip! The Grip is smaller in size, making it more portable, and it also introduces a captivating color-changing light bar along the back. Unlike the JBL Pulse series, which features a full 360 degree light show, the Grip's light bar feels more like an ambient accent feature rather than a centerpiece. To switch colors, there is a button on the back that allows you to cycle through all the different stages of light.
Sound Quality:
Despite it's compact size, the Grip delivers clean mids and highs and maintains JBL's reputation for clear and crisp sound. However, it does fall short on bass. Without the dedicated passive radiators, the low frequencies don't hit as hard as they do on my Flip 6 or Charge 5. For casual listening the sound quality is great, but bass lovers might find it lacking. In my opinion, the JBL Grip is best suited for small gatherings, hikes, picnics, and a perfect portable companion, rather than for filling larger spaces.
Features:
The JBL Grip does bring some modern functionality into play with it's Auracast compatibility. This feature lets you sync it with other JBL products. I connect it with my Charge 5 and Flip 6 for more sound coverage around my room. The addition of a light bar is an interesting choice. It's not as dynamic as the Pulse 4's full light show, but it does add a nice aesthetic touch, especially in dim environments.
Final Verdict:
The JBL Grip is a well-designed portable speaker that combines the familiar durability of the Flip line with a new twist: an ambient light bar. While it won't satisfy those looking for deep bass or a full 360 degree light show, it's a strong choice for anyone who values portability, clean sound, and subtle design features.
Date published: 2025-08-20
Rated 3 out of
5
by
BooMike from
Battery lacking
It’s a great speaker “packs a punch” as they say, I’m docking two stars simply because it overheats and dies within two hours if I blast it, what’s the point of having a speaker you cant turn up all the way.
Date published: 2025-11-08
Rated 3 out of
5
by
dbsk from
Get what you paid for
Base is lacking. Design is very nice. Fits in a cup holder, so great for a golf cart, pool float, or beach chair. Sound quality is mid.
Date published: 2025-10-15
Rated 3 out of
5
by
MJLJBL from
JBL signature sound yet NO speakerphone
Small size should afford a speakerphone yet no. Unfortunately JBL missed this. 🥺
Date published: 2025-09-04
Rated 1 out of
5
by
Choreographer from
Battery lasted 1 1/2 hrs at high volume.
Battery life is disappointing. I use 2 of them for my dance classes and need them to be at a high volume (from other online reviews I guess it drains the battery if the volume is high) and I am not able to get through one night of classes which is about 3-4 hours. They died after an hour and a half after being fully charged. I would not have bought them if I would have known that prior.
Date published: 2025-11-01
Rated 1 out of
5
by
Kim Ser from
No charger
Got this from my work as a 25 years of service gift. (I know that’s it)
And a charging cord is not included. That’s annoying!
Date published: 2025-10-14
