The JBL Grip Offers A Lighter and Smaller Alternative to the Flip 7.
Until the recent release of the JBL Grip, downsizing from the Flip 7 within the JBL ecosphere meant going with the Clip 5 or Go 4, two significantly smaller speakers. The Grip changes that, retaining a lot of what we love about the Flip series, but in a smaller and significantly lighter design. But just how different are these two speakers when it comes to sound and features?
We’ve compared them comprehensively below to help you decide which is better for your needs.
Key Takeaways
- Flip 7 wins for sound and volume with two-way 35W drivers; clearer, deeper audio.
- Grip excels in portability: half the weight, shorter, with ambient glow accent.
- Both share IP68 durability, 14-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.4, Auracast TWS and group pairing.
- Ports and controls differ: USB-C only; Grip end-cap power/pairing, Flip 7 charges slightly faster.
Best Overall
JBL Flip 7
The Flip 7 is a better sounding speaker, with more volume and slightly better dynamic range. It is best for use around the home, garden or small social gatherings with a few friends.
Best For Travel & Hiking
JBL Grip
Smaller, lighter and more affordable, the JBL Grip is a better speaker if you value portability over volume. The JBL Grip still has the same IP68 waterproof rating and drop-resistance, ideal for outdoors.
JBL Grip Vs Flip 7
| Model | Grip | Flip 7 |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Output Power | 16W | 35W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Battery Life | Up to 14 Hours | Up to 14 Hours |
| Charging Time | 3 Hours | 3 Hours |
| Woofers | 1.69 x 3.14″ Full Range | 1.75 x 3″ Woofer |
| Tweeters | // | 0.6″ Tweeter |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Speaker Pairing | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Weight | 13.5 oz | 29.12 oz |
| Dimensions | 6 x 2.52 x 2.56″ | 7.2 x 2.7 x 2.8″ |
| App Support | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Design & Size
- Similar silhouette, but buttons and charging panels differ; Grip adds a distinctive glowing accent panel.
- Flip 7 heavier and larger; Grip half the weight, slightly shorter, easier to pack.
Grip
Flip 7
From certain angles, these two speakers look similar, but they have distinct differences, ranging from completely different buttons to a significantly different charging panel. A key feature of the Grip that differentiates it from the Flip 7 is the glowing panel between the charging port and the carry handle, which gives it some ambient flare.
The Flip 7 itself is a relatively compact speaker, but it is quite weighty for its size (29.12 oz), which can be a burden for some. The JBL Grip weighs less than half of the Flip 7 (13.5 oz), and is just over an inch shorter, making it easier to fit into smaller bags.
Durability
- Both rated IP68 for dust and water; safe in rain, pools, brief submersion.
- Comparable drop protection; survives minor falls from a few feet without noticeable damage.
Both speakers have nearly identical durability. They support IP68 dust and waterproofing, meaning you can use either in heavy rain or in dust. IP68 also means they can be safely used in the pool, and even submerged for limited periods without damage.
They also have drop protection, which does well to prevent damage when the speaker falls from a few feet onto the ground. There are no noticeable differences between the durability of either model.
Controls
- Same control set overall; Flip 7 keeps classic body-mounted layout for all buttons.
- Grip moves power/pairing to end cap; playback buttons sit along the top edge.
Grip
Flip 7
The button layout is extremely different, with the Flip 7 sporting JBL’s classic design over the last few years, with both sets of controls positioned on the body of the speaker.
The JBL Grip, however, does something new and places the basic pairing and power controls on the end of the speaker, where the Flip 7 has its passive bass radiators. The playback controls are also positioned near the top of the speaker on the Grip.
Overall, they have the same controls, just in different places.
Ports
- No auxiliary or mic inputs; both provide only a USB-C charging port.
- Simplicity favors waterproofing and compactness, but limits wired playback flexibility.
Both speakers lack any kind of additional wired inputs, aside from the charging port.
Bluetooth & Wireless Pairing
- Both use Bluetooth 5.4; Flip 7’s stronger receiver slightly extends connection range.
- Auracast supports TWS or group pairing with other JBL Auracast speakers.
Bluetooth 5.4 is used on both models, which gives reliable and efficient wireless connectivity. However, the Flip 7’s Bluetooth receiver is stronger than the Grip (≤ 12 dBm vs ≤ 14 dBm), giving it a bit more range.
They also both support Auracast pairing and can be paired together with any other JBL Auracast speaker. They can both be paired in either TWS for improved soundstage or general group pairing for larger groups of speakers.
Mobile App
JBL has a few different mobile apps depending on the speaker model, but both the Flip 7 and Grip use the same JBL Portable app. Through it one can gain additional insight into the speaker’s battery life, and have access to equalizer settings that change how the speaker sounds. The app also allows users to establish group or TWS pairing.
Sound Quality
- Flip 7 delivers 35W versus Grip’s 16W, filling rooms with higher maximum volume.
- Two-way design gives Flip 7 deeper bass and clearer highs; Grip suits casual listening.
Grip
Flip 7
There are significant differences to the drivers and power output between these two speakers, with the JBL Flip 7 having significantly more power (35W vs 16W). The Flip 7 can fill a small room, while the Grip falls a bit behind.
There are also differences in the amount of detail in the audio. Because the Flip 7 features a two-way design (separate woofer and tweeter), it has more definition. The bass is a bit deeper on the Flip 7, and the highs are a bit more detailed too.
Neither are bad sounding speakers, and for casual listening the JBL Grip is perfectly fine. But for more nuance and additional volume, the Flip 7 is the winner.
Battery Life
- Both claim 14 hours per charge; Flip’s larger battery offsets its greater power draw.
- Despite capacity differences, real-world endurance is similar; Flip 7 also charges slightly faster.
Grip
Flip 7
Both speakers have a playtime of 14 hours from a single charge. The Flip 7’s battery is larger, but that is to compensate for the higher power output. Since the Grip has less power output, it’s able to achieve the same battery life with a smaller capacity battery.
The Flip 7, despite its larger battery, is also slightly quicker to charge than the Grip, typically taking around 2.5 hours to charge, compared to 3.
Which To Pick?
If you’re on the fence about buying one of these speakers, here’s what you need to know:
Buy the JBL Grip
If you want a speaker that’s extremely lightweight and portable, but you aren’t too fussy over the more nuanced differences in sound quality. It’s best for solo listening or for use with a couple of friends.
Buy the JBL Flip 7
If you don’t mind a slightly larger, heavier speaker. The Flip 7 is ideal for use around the house, the garden, or small social gatherings. It can fill a small room and is better suited to listening with friends.
Alternative Choices
If you’re looking to keep your options open, here are a few modern Bluetooth speakers that compete with the Flip 7 and Grip:
Tribit Stormbox Portable 2
The Tribit StormBox Portable 2 is a great alternative. It weighs 20.48 oz, so it’s lighter than the Flip 7, but still more weighty than the Grip. It has outstanding battery performance that dwarfs both the Grip and Flip 7, lasting almost twice as long. However, its weatherproofing is less impressive, with an IPX7 rating.
Soundcore 2
A similar speaker worth considering is the Anker Soundcore 2; it’s slightly older than the others and only supports Bluetooth 5.0, but this difference isn’t noticeable to most users. It’s got an impressive 24-hour battery life and sounds surprisingly good for its size. Like the Stormbox Portable 2, though, the Soundcore 2 only provides IPX7 waterproofing.
