Short answer: the JBL Grip, if you are buying new. The Minirig 3 ranks higher than it (#8 vs #96 of 164 medium speakers, 4.3/5 vs 3.1/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Grip is still sold new at $99.95.
The Minirig 3 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Modular, can easily attach a subwoofer. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 10dB, against 68Hz for the JBL Grip. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 14 for the JBL Grip. It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the JBL Grip lacks. The tradeoff: Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating.
The JBL Grip is the lighter, tougher choice. Ambient light on the back with settable themes. At 0.8 lbs (385 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Minirig 3 at 1.2 lbs (550 g). It is rated IP68 against Splash resistant for the Minirig 3. The tradeoff: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip.
Buy the JBL Grip new; the Minirig 3 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Minirig 3 | JBL Grip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $140 Discontinued | $99.95 |
| Ranked | #8 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #96 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | ~68Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (7 band) |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant | IP68 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 60ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | Proprietary USB cable | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 4” x 2.9” (101.6 x 73 mm) (diameter x height) | 2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm) |
| Drivers | 70mm custom driver | 1x 43x80mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 16W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Auracast) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | Yes (strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Minirig 3:
- Earfun Uboom L vs Minirig 3
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Minirig 3
- Denon Envaya DSB-250BT vs Minirig 3
- Minirig 3 vs Minirig 4
- Minirig 2 vs Minirig 3
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
Minirig 3: $140 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Minirig 4, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5.
Pros: Modular, can easily attach a subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating. App is buggy. Wireless TWS pairing is buggy. A bit expensive. Has reliability issues more often than any other speaker. Discontinued; Minirig now sells only the Minirig 4, and the old product page redirects to it.
Full Minirig 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 60ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4” x 2.9” (101.6 x 73 mm) (diameter x height) |
| Drivers | 70mm custom driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary USB cable |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: B&O Beoplay A1 2nd gen vs Minirig mk3 bluetooth speaker More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: minirig 3 vs minirig 2 - minirig 3 overview part 1
- Speakertech: Anker soundcore Boost (Upgraded) vs minirig mini in stereo /2.0 (and changing the equalizer)
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig 4 vs Minirig 3, stuff they tell you, stuff they don’t! 😂
- Beautiful Zar DJ: MINIRIG 4 Vs MINIRIG 3 (50-100%Volume Audio Test)
- James from Canada: SOUND TESTS - Soundboks, Minirig 3, dB Technologies, Bose S1 Pro, etc - RAVE TEST
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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