Short answer: the JBL Grip on measured sound quality, the Soundcore Flare 2 on price. The JBL Grip ranks #75 of 136 medium speakers at $99.95. The Soundcore Flare 2 ranks #105 at $80, $19.95 cheaper.
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 Soundcore Flare 2 offers: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it Watch for: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Buy the JBL Grip when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Soundcore Flare 2 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Soundcore Flare 2. It ranks near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Grip | Soundcore Flare 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.95 | $80 |
| Ranked | #75 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~68Hz | 56Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 385 g | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 1x 43x80mm fullrange | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 2.5" x 6" x 2.6" (64 x 152 x 65 mm) | - |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 16W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Soundcore Glow vs Sony ULT Field 1
- JBL Charge 3 vs Sony ULT Field 1
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Soundcore Glow vs JBL Grip
- JBL Charge 3 vs JBL Grip
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Grip: $99.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Ambient light on the back with settable themes
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 →
| 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 385 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Amazon eBay
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton III
- See all 73 comparisons