Short answer: the JBL Grip. It ranks #99 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $99.95; the Sony SRS-XE200 ranks #143, rated 2.5/5, and costs $99.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The JBL Grip is the better-sounding, lighter option. Ambient light on the back with settable themes. At 0.8 lbs (385 g) it weighs much less than the Sony SRS-XE200 at 1.8 lbs (800 g). Watch for: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip.
Why pick the Sony SRS-XE200: IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Grip lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Grip. Watch for: Sounds hollow.
Buy the JBL Grip. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XE200 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Grip | Sony SRS-XE200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.95 | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #99 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #143 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony | Music Center app) |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~68Hz | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 1x 43x80mm fullrange | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm) | 3.5” x 8.2” x 3.7” (90 x 208 x 94 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W | 10W |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (strap) | Yes (included strap) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Grip: $99.95 Amazon $99.95 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 →
| Released | Sep 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~68Hz |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XE200: $99.99 Amazon $99.99 eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 1, ranked higher, rated 3.1/5, released Apr 2024. It drops LDAC. Battery life goes from 16 to 12 hours.
Older models: the Sony XB23 (ranked higher, rated 3.3/5), the Sony SRS-XB20 (ranked higher, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB21 (ranked higher, rated 2.7/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. Can prop up a phone/tablet as a stand. Fast charging (10 min charge = ~70 min playback); Stamina mode extends battery when low.
Cons: Sounds hollow. Very muffled. Rolled off treble, weird midrange boost, just not great overall. Worse than a Sony XB33.
Full Sony SRS-XE200 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 10W |
| App | Yes (Sony | Music Center app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5” x 8.2” x 3.7” (90 x 208 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (included strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: FINALLY! Sony SRS XG300, SRS XE300, & SRS XE200 Are Here. Binaural Sound Samples & First Impressions More from DLXWillington →
- Danny Pops: Sony XE200 XE300 vs Bose Marshall & JBL More from DannyPops →
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment More from GYMCADDY →
- Chrispy Things [EDC]: New Sony XE200 Bluetooth Speaker Sound Test & Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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