Short answer: the Bose Portable Smart Speaker for better sound quality, the JBL Grip for the lower price. The Bose Portable Smart Speaker ranks #75 of 179 medium speakers, rated 3.4/5, at $399. The JBL Grip ranks #98, rated 3.1/5, at $69.95, $329.05 cheaper.
Why pick the Bose Portable Smart Speaker: A smart speaker with Alexa and Google Assistant built in that streams over Wi-Fi at home and Bluetooth on the go. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Grip lacks. The tradeoff: RTINGS found the out of the box tuning boomy and says it doesn’t get very loud; the app’s bass and treble sliders help, and SoundGuys recommended cutting bass by 10 to 20 steps to balance it.
The JBL Grip is the lighter, tougher pick. A small, fully waterproof speaker with app EQ, ambient lighting, Auracast linking and USB-C audio input. At 0.8 lbs (385 g) it weighs much less than the Bose Portable Smart Speaker at 2.3 lbs (1.06 kg). It is rated IP68 against IPX4 for the Bose Portable Smart Speaker. Watch for: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip.
Buy the Bose Portable Smart Speaker if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Grip if the price matters more than sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Portable Smart Speaker | JBL Grip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $69.95 |
| Ranked | #75 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #98 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP68 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Weight | 2.3 lbs (1.06 kg) | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 7.6” x 4.7” x 4.1” (192 x 119 x 104 mm) (H x W x D) | 2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm) |
| App | Yes (Bose Music) | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field mic array, mic mute button) | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | Yes (7 band) |
| Drivers | 1x high-excursion driver with 360-degree deflector + 3x passive radiators | 1x 43x80mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Music multi-room, SimpleSync, AirPlay 2) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Strap | No | Yes (strap) |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Amazon Music, Pandora, SiriusXM, TuneIn | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~68Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 16W |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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