- JBL Grip is cylindrical however smaller (and cheaper) than the Flip 7
- Daring JBL Professional Sound with a ‘punchy’ 16W output
- Auracast connectivity, IP68 waterproofing, and tempting price ticket
If I have been JBL’s enviable Bluetooth speaker lineup with a crucial eye, I would say that whereas the JBL Flip 7 is a barn-stormer of a transportable speaker (and totally deserving of its place on the tippy-top of our greatest Bluetooth audio system information), there’s usually all the time been fairly the hole between it and, say, the JBL Go 4 or JBL Clip 5 – and I imply that by way of dimension, value, and audio high quality.
And that is why I am so completely satisfied to see the launch of the JBL Grip; it feels as if JBL’s checked out its vary and mentioned: “We have got one thing at $49.95 / £39.99 / AU$59.95 and we have got one thing at $149 / £129 / AU$179. Can we get one thing to separate the distinction – one thing priced at $99?”
And the JBL Grip is that speaker, priced $99 (so round £75 or AU$150, though these costs are at the moment guesstimates), or a direct rival for the luxurious mug-sized Final Ears Wonderboom 4.
What of its dimensions? JBL tells us the Grip is “impressed by the proportions of a seltzer can,” but when that does not instantly be just right for you, consider these pre-mixed cocktail cans or maybe the well-known vitality drink named after a colourful male cow.
Become familiar with the most recent JBL speaker on the town
Prime of the spec-sheet for the JBL Grip is JBL’s Professional Sound audio tuning, a “punchy 16W output” plus AI Sound Enhance for “extra highly effective and deeper bass with out distortion”.
You’ll be able to pair two audio system for stereo sound, or join a number of audio system with Auracast. There’s an built-in rope hook on the speaker to make it simple to connect to a backpack or bike, say, and its IP68 water, mud, and drop-proof development means you will not have to fret about dropping it in water as much as 1.5m deep, for as much as half-hour.
Stamina? You must rise up to 12 hours of playtime, plus an extra 2 hours with Playtime Enhance activated, which is greater than acceptable for a speaker of this dimension.
My private favourite new function on the Grip speaker? A pill-shaped however fairly giant ambient gentle on the again panel, so you possibly can set the temper to match your playlist utilizing the JBL Transportable App.
The JBL Grip is now obtainable for pre-sale within the US, priced $99.95 on JBL.com, with a wider launch scheduled for September 28, 2025. Shade choices? In fact: six standout finishes will arrive, together with traditional black, white, daring purple (which might be my most well-liked selection), pink, blue, and camo.
Will it be a part of the ranks of our greatest waterproof audio system roundup quickly? Time (and TechRadar’s thorough testing course of) will inform – however I actually hope so.
