JBL has a slew of new products launching later this month to take on the likes of Sony and Sonos in the Bluetooth speaker range.
The cheapest of the bunch is the JBL Grip, a small yet feature-rich device built for sunny poolside staycations, and 14 hours of battery life means just that. JBL's new Boombox 4 takes up after its predecessor, boasting serious performance with AI Sound Boost and two bass-boosting settings to keep the party active.
A renewed PartyBox is also hitting the market at a $1,099 price. It will be the first of the bunch to launch on September 21, while the other two speakers will hit store shelves on September 28. You can preorder them all starting today on JBL's store page.
JBL Grip: Audio perfection wrapped in a durable $99 package
Compact as it might look, the JBL Grip still packs a punch. It's built to last not just in terms of battery life, thanks to a 14-hour playtime, but also in durability. JBL's kitted the Grip with an IP68 rating, making it one of the most durable Bluetooth speakers I've seen in the market yet.
That's better than Sony's ULT Field 1 and the Marshal Emberton III, which are just IP67. The JBL Grip is also cheaper than these two Bluetooth speakers, priced at just $99. You can also get it in a slew of colorways, including purple, red, teal, pink, and even camo.
Just like its more expensive counterpart, the Grip will also have AI Sound Boost, which can measure the environment to predict the best possible sound accuracy for that space. It will optimize this output for larger outdoor spaces, so you get clearer, more accurate sound with minimal distortion.
Even at night, the JBL Grip will keep the mood alight with a handy ambient light on its side that can be customized to a wide degree. Within the JBL Portable app, you can make several changes to the color and themes so the music and lighting can match the atmosphere, which is a particular highlight as most ambient lighting is often reserved for premium speakers.
You can preorder the JBL Grip starting today at just $99 on JBL's store page. It's set to officially launch in stores on September 28.
Ready to Party
If the budget Grip wasn't enough, JBL's also bringing to market two premium quality Bluetooth speakers in the Boombox 4 and PartyBox 720. The former takes up after the JBL Boombox 3, which launched back in 2023, and targets a similar market to the Sony ULT Field 7.
AI Sound Boost also makes its debut on the new speaker system, pumping up the vibe with not one but two levels of bass-boosted delight. And, just like the Grip, the JBL Boombox 4 will also be IP68, which can handle everything from water to dust without breaking a sweat.
Within it, you'll find a pair of tweeters, woofers, and a passive radiator, giving it that extra boost in clarity and dimensionality. You'll also have lossless audio playback via the USB-C input, which means you can plug in your laptop or similar device to get the best quality sound, so the party never falters.
The Boombox 4 also has a replaceable battery if the initial 34-hour capacity doesn't live up to your standards. You'll have to buy these replaceable batteries separately, but it's a nifty addition for those who need that extra power.
The Boombox 4 launches officially on September 28 at $549, but you can preorder today on JBL's online store.
Last but certainly not least is the PartyBox 720, the crème de la crème of party bopping speaker systems. At a starting $1,099, it's quite a hefty investment, but it makes itself known with some of the most enticing specifications.
While it's not as durable as its other counterparts, leveraging just a mere IPX4 splashproof rating, it's still built to be the center of the action. It features a 15-hour playtime and has seamless high-quality audio connectivity. Karaoke never sounded this good.
Similar to the Grip, you'll also get a sophisticated lightshow that you can customize to your heart's content in the JBL Party app. While karaoke is at the forefront of its feature set, you can also connect a guitar or DJ console to the speaker so you can make your own music and bring it to life for all your friends.
Like the others in the lineup, the PartyBox 720 is available for pre-order starting today and will hit store shelves come September 21.
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