Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, if you are buying new. The JBL Flip Essential ranks higher than the LG Xboom Grab (#89 vs #106 of 177 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.6/5 at $115.53 and is still sold new.
The JBL Flip Essential is the lighter option. A light, simple waterproof speaker with an aux input, good for travel and casual listening. At 1 lbs (471 g) it weighs noticeably less than the LG Xboom Grab at 1.5 lbs (680 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the LG Xboom Grab lacks. Watch for: Bass is lighter than the JBL Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight.
The LG Xboom Grab is the longer-running choice. A rugged waterproof speaker with elastic mounting straps, a long 20 hour battery, multipoint pairing and app room calibration. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the JBL Flip Essential cannot. The catch: Bass extension not as deep as the top speakers.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Flip Essential; it is rated higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Grab.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A light, simple waterproof speaker with an aux input, good for travel and casual listening.
A rugged waterproof speaker with elastic mounting straps, a long 20 hour battery, multipoint pairing and app room calibration.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | LG Xboom Grab | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $100.98 |
| Ranked | #89 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #106 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 1x 80x45mm racetrack woofer, 1x 16mm tweeter |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 8.3” x 2.8” x 2.8” (211.0 x 71.6 x 70.0 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | 30W |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 75Hz |
| Wi-Fi | - | No |
| Strap | - | Yes (mounting straps) |
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