Short answer: the Sony XB23 ranks #64 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $100; the JBL Grip ranks #75 at $99.95. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
What the Sony XB23 offers: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life. Watch for: Bass drops off a ton at high levels. Reduces its own volume over time when turned to max
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
Buy the Sony XB23 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the JBL Grip if the price is the priority over sound quality.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Grip at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Sony XB23 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB23 | JBL Grip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 | $99.95 |
| Ranked | #64 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #75 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz | ~68Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 95dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 580 g | 0.8 lbs / 385 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 3" x 8.6" x 3" (76 x 218 x 76 mm) | 2.5" x 6" x 2.6" (64 x 152 x 65 mm) |
| Output Power | 8W RMS | 16W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) | Yes (7 band) |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators | 1x 43x80mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP68 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
Other pairings from the same speaker class worth checking:
- JBL Flip 7 vs JBL Flip 4
- Beats Pill 2024 vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Grip vs Ultimate Ears Roll 2
- Minirig Mini 2 vs Sony XB23
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sony XB23: $100 eBay
Pros: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life.
Cons: Bass drops off a ton at high levels. Reduces its own volume over time when turned to max
Full Sony XB23 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3" x 8.6" x 3" (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 95dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 8W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 580 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Huawei Sound Joy vs Sony xb23 - worse or worser? 🤭
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs XB33 - specs and measurements
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment More from GYMCADDY →
- Reddit Search for Sony XB23 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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