The JBL Grip is a portable Bluetooth speaker designed to occupy a niche in the sub-£100 / $100 market. It is positioned within JBL’s outdoor speaker range, situated above the Clip and Go speakers but below the Flip. The device aims to balance both portability and sound performance for budget-conscious buyers.
The name ‘Grip’ suggests its intended use, as it is designed to be held in one hand and is roughly the size of a Coca Cola can. This makes it easier to transport than the larger Flip. While it includes a built-in loop strap, unlike the Flip 7, this strap is not detachable. Regarding its orientation, the Grip appears intended for vertical positioning, while the Flip series works both horizontally and vertically.
The top surface of the speaker houses the playback controls, along with the buttons for power, Bluetooth, and Auracast. Its robust build includes an IP68 rating, signifying that it is waterproof and dustproof. JBL claims it is also drop-proof, provided it is not dropped from a height exceeding one metre.
Sustainability and aesthetics are also features. The Grip is constructed using recycled plastic and fabric, and it comes with FSC certified paper packaging, aligning with JBL’s endorsement of sustainable materials. The speaker offers several color options, including Purple, Squad (or Camo), Red, Black, Blue, Pink, and White.
Feature-wise, the Grip maintains a simple set of controls, similar to the Flip 7. A notable feature is the Ambient Light function, which allows for custom light shows in Trim, Switch, and Neon, Freeze, and Bounce. While users can customize colors in the Trim, Switch, and Bounce modes using pink, purple, blue, or red, the Neon option cycles through a fixed sequence of pink, blue, and green colors.
Battery performance is a key point of discussion. JBL claims the Grip can offer up to 14 hours on a single charge, with an additional two hours available via the Playtime Boost feature. However, independent testing found that streaming a Spotify playlist at 50% volume caused the battery to drop from 100% to 79% over about five hours. The reviewer noted that JBL’s claims are not specific regarding the volume required to achieve the stated 14-hour duration.
In terms of sound, the Grip is described as energetic, bright, and enjoyable. While it is not as clear or balanced as the Flip, its sound profile is punchy and energetic. The speaker performs adequately considering its size. For bass, the reviewer observed that it can sound slightly tubby and lack depth compared to the Flip 7, suggesting it is not an ideal speaker for deep bass. Nonetheless, it is capable of a decent amount of dynamism and can sound big and spacious for its size.
Overall, the JBL Grip is assessed as one of the more accomplished speakers in its price category. Despite some shortcomings, such as battery life limitations at mid-volume and its bass capability, it is described as a ‘nifty little speaker’ that offers enjoyable performance at an affordable cost.
Source: Trusted Reviews