Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Party. It ranks #20 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $149.99. The JBL Grip ranks #98, rated 3.1/5, at $69.95, $80.04 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Xiaomi Sound Party is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle. Its bass reaches about 54Hz before falling 10dB, against 68Hz for the JBL Grip. It is rated for 26 hours of battery against 14 for the JBL Grip. Watch for: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing.
The JBL Grip is the lighter pick. A small, fully waterproof speaker with app EQ, ambient lighting, Auracast linking and USB-C audio input. At 0.8 lbs (385 g) it weighs much less than the Xiaomi Sound Party at 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg). The tradeoff: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $80.04 saving on the JBL Grip is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle.
A small, fully waterproof speaker with app EQ, ambient lighting, Auracast linking and USB-C audio input.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Xiaomi Sound Party | JBL Grip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $69.95 |
| Ranked | #20 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #98 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | ~68Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (7 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) | 2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters | 1x 43x80mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 16W |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) | USB-C |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (strap) |
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