Short answer: the JBL Grip. It ranks #78 of 142 medium speakers by sound quality at $99.95; the B&O Beosound Explore ranks #112 and costs $299, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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
What the B&O Beosound Explore offers: IP67 rated with a rugged ‘seatbelt’ strap and carabiner hook. Real-world battery life around 20-24 hours. Distinctive anodized-aluminum design. Watch for: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble. Colored midrange. Just not great sounding overall.
Buy the JBL Grip. It ranks higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound Explore and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the B&O Beosound Explore. It ranks near the bottom of the 142 medium speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the B&O Beosound Explore is rated for 27 hours, the JBL Grip only 14 hours.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Grip | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.95 | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #78 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #112 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~68Hz | ~70Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 1x 43x80mm fullrange | 2x 1.8" (46mm) full-range drivers |
| Dimensions | 2.5" x 6" x 2.6" (64 x 152 x 65 mm) | 3.2" x 4.9" x 3.2" (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W | 60W |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
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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 Grip: $99.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Ambient light on the back with settable themes. Measured bass extension of ~68Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
B&O Beosound Explore: $299.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated with a rugged ‘seatbelt’ strap and carabiner hook. Real-world battery life around 20-24 hours. Distinctive anodized-aluminum design. Measured bass extension of ~70Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble. Colored midrange. Just not great sounding overall.
Full B&O Beosound Explore review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~70Hz |
| Battery Life | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 3.2" x 4.9" x 3.2" (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.8" (46mm) full-range drivers |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
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