Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen for better sound quality, the JBL Grip for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen ranks #11 of 177 medium speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $395. The JBL Grip ranks #98, rated 3.1/5, at $69.95, $325.05 cheaper.
The JBL Grip is the lighter choice. 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 noticeably less than the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen at 1.2 lbs (558 g). Watch for: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip.
The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A premium waterproof puck speaker with balanced sound, a built in strap, and a long battery for travel. Its bass reaches about 58Hz before falling 10dB, against 68Hz for the JBL Grip. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the JBL Grip lacks.
Buy the JBL Grip if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen if sound quality matters more than the price.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A small, fully waterproof speaker with app EQ, ambient lighting, Auracast linking and USB-C audio input.
A premium waterproof puck speaker with balanced sound, a built in strap, and a long battery for travel.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Grip | B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.95 | $395.00 |
| Ranked | #98 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #11 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~68Hz | 58Hz |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Drivers | 1x 43x80mm fullrange | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm) | 5.2”W x 5.2”D x 1.8”H (133 x 133 x 46 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W | 60W total (2x 30W Class D) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (strap) | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 90ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
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