Short answer: the Sonos Play on measured sound quality, the JBL Grip on price. The Sonos Play ranks #56 of 177 medium speakers, rated 3.5/5, at $299. The JBL Grip ranks #98, rated 3.1/5, at $69.95, $229.05 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 much less than the Sonos Play at 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg). It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Sonos Play cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Sonos Play lacks. Watch for: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip.
The Sonos Play is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. A Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with wide stereo sound, a long lasting swappable battery, waterproofing and full Sonos multiroom support. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 14 for the JBL Grip. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Grip lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Grip. Watch for: Bass distorts noticeably on bass-heavy tracks at default settings, and the distortion persists even after enabling Trueplay tuning and manually pulling bass back in the app.
Buy the JBL Grip when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Sonos Play when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A small, fully waterproof speaker with app EQ, ambient lighting, Auracast linking and USB-C audio input.
A Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with wide stereo sound, a long lasting swappable battery, waterproofing and full Sonos multiroom support.
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 | Sonos Play | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.95 | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #98 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #56 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~68Hz | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 1x 43x80mm fullrange | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters |
| Dimensions | 2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm) | 7.6” x 4.4” x 3” (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (strap) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
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