Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi for better sound quality, the JBL Grip for the lower price. The JBL Charge 5 Wifi ranks #25 of 136 medium speakers at $250. The JBL Grip ranks #75 at $99.95, $150.05 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge 5 Wifi offers: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version Watch for: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive. No party mode on the wifi version
What the JBL Grip offers: Ambient light on the back with settable themes Watch for: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip. Not as much clarity as higher ranked speakers, rolled off highs and wavy midrange
Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Grip if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 Wifi | JBL Grip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 | $99.95 |
| Ranked | #25 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #75 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | ~68Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (7 band) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1000 g | 0.8 lbs / 385 g |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 97 x 94 mm) | 2.5" x 6" x 2.6" (64 x 152 x 65 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 1x 43x80mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music | - |
| Output Power | 40W | 16W |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 PM 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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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 5 Wifi: $250 Amazon eBay
Pros: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive. No party mode on the wifi version
Full JBL Charge 5 Wifi review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 97 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1000 g |
| Wifi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- See all 84 comparisons
JBL Grip: $99.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Ambient light on the back with settable themes
Cons: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip. Not as much clarity as higher ranked speakers, rolled off highs and wavy midrange
Setup: EQ from Oluv in his post can help it a bit but still isn’t very neutral
Full JBL Grip review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~68Hz |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 2.5" x 6" x 2.6" (64 x 152 x 65 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 43x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 385 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons