Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential for better sound quality, the LG Xboom Grab for the lower price. The JBL Flip Essential ranks #69 of 142 medium speakers at $130. The LG Xboom Grab ranks #85 at $97.73, $32.27 cheaper.
What the JBL Flip Essential offers: A genuinely portable 471g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. It is a simple, no-app option for wired sources, travel and casual listening where its cylindrical shape and modest size are a genuine advantage. Watch for: Bass is lighter than the Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight. Battery life is only a claimed 10 hours, there is no speakerphone, EQ or party mode, and its older Bluetooth 4.1 platform and discontinued status make it a basic used-market choice.
What the LG Xboom Grab offers: 20 hour battery life - longer than the JBL Flip 7 or UE Boom 4. IP67 rated with elastic mounting straps. App unlocks AI room calibration, EQ, and light-strip customization; multipoint pairing. Watch for: Bass extension not as deep as the top speakers. Overpriced. This may move around in the rankings as we get better sound samples
Buy the JBL Flip Essential if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the LG Xboom Grab if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Battery life favors the LG Xboom Grab: rated for 20 hours against 10 hours for the JBL Flip Essential.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | LG Xboom Grab | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $97.73 |
| Ranked | #69 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #85 of 142 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 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) | - |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | 30W |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 75Hz |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Stereo | - | No |
| TWS | - | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Flip Essential compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom L vs JBL Flip Essential
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Flip Essential
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Flip Essential
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Flip Essential
- JBL Flip Essential vs Minirig 4
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip Essential: $130 eBay
Pros: A genuinely portable 471g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. It is a simple, no-app option for wired sources, travel and casual listening where its cylindrical shape and modest size are a genuine advantage.
Cons: Bass is lighter than the Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight. Battery life is only a claimed 10 hours, there is no speakerphone, EQ or party mode, and its older Bluetooth 4.1 platform and discontinued status make it a basic used-market choice.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
- Links
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LG Xboom Grab: $97.73 Amazon eBay
Pros: 20 hour battery life - longer than the JBL Flip 7 or UE Boom 4. IP67 rated with elastic mounting straps. App unlocks AI room calibration, EQ, and light-strip customization; multipoint pairing. Measured bass extension of 75Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass extension not as deep as the top speakers. Overpriced. This may move around in the rankings as we get better sound samples
Full LG Xboom Grab review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 75Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 1x 80x45mm racetrack woofer, 1x 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- FishBee Product Reviews: LG XBOOM Grab (2025) by Will.i.am - BETTER Than JBL Flip 7?? More from FishBee Product Reviews →
- Mike O’Brien: What Did LG Just Launch? (NEW will.i.am x LG xboom Speakers)
- GYMCADDY: LG’s New xboom Speaker And Earbud Lineup Explained - Meet The Stage 301, Bounce, Grab And Buds! More from GYMCADDY →
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