Short answer: the JBL Pulse 6 on measured sound quality, the JBL Grip on price. The JBL Pulse 6 ranks #49 of 164 medium speakers, rated 3.7/5, at $329.95. The JBL Grip ranks #96, rated 3.1/5, at $99.95, $230 cheaper.
The JBL Pulse 6 is the better-sounding pick. A 63.8mm woofer on 30W RMS and a 16mm tweeter on 10W RMS, with JBL rating the response down to 42Hz, well below the Pulse 5’s 58Hz. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Grip lacks. Watch for: No independent measurements or tested reviews have been published yet, so its real bass extension, loudness and tonal balance can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
The JBL Grip is the lighter choice. Ambient light on the back with settable themes. At 0.8 lbs (385 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Pulse 6 at 3.3 lbs (1.49 kg). The tradeoff: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip.
Buy the JBL Pulse 6 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Grip if the price matters more than sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Pulse 6 | JBL Grip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.95 | $99.95 |
| Ranked | #49 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #96 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 40W RMS (30W woofer, 10W tweeter) | 16W |
| App | JBL One | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Capacity | 34Wh (7.2V, 4722mAh) | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.4 |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C, lossless) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 10.4”H x 5.2”W x 4.2”D (264 x 132 x 106 mm) | 2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.8mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 1x 43x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (strap) |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast) | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.49 kg) | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~68Hz |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 Pulse 6: $329.95 Estimated Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Pulse 5 (ranked higher, rated 3.7/5).
Pros: A 63.8mm woofer on 30W RMS and a 16mm tweeter on 10W RMS, with JBL rating the response down to 42Hz, well below the Pulse 5’s 58Hz. IP68 makes it fully dustproof and submersible, a step up from the Pulse 5’s IP67. The 360° light show now runs over an illuminated carry handle too, with 16 themes, a double-tap bedside lamp and a Sunset Mode sleep timer in the JBL One app. Bluetooth 6.0 with SBC, AAC and LC3, lossless playback over USB-C, and Auracast for stereo pairing or linking PartyBox speakers and PartyLight Sticks.
Cons: No independent measurements or tested reviews have been published yet, so its real bass extension, loudness and tonal balance can’t be compared with ranked speakers. It plays in mono from one woofer and one tweeter, so a single unit gives no stereo separation. Battery life is rated at only 12 hours from its 34Wh pack, charging takes up to 4.5 hours, and the USB-C port can’t charge a phone. There is no strap, only the built-in handle.
Full JBL Pulse 6 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W RMS (30W woofer, 10W tweeter) |
|---|---|
| App | JBL One |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Capacity | 34Wh (7.2V, 4722mAh) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C, lossless) |
| Dimensions | 10.4”H x 5.2”W x 4.2”D (264 x 132 x 106 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.8mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A) |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast) |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.49 kg) |
- 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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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 |
| 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