These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Bose SoundLink Plus ranks #25 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $179; the JBL Boombox 4 ranks #20 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality at $549.95.
Different sizes. The SoundLink Plus is a large 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) stereo speaker. The Boombox 4 is a 13.2 lbs (6 kg) boombox. Each is rated within its own class.
The Boombox 4 measured about 115dB with bass to about 41Hz, is IP68, and claims 28 hours from a removable battery. Use the Oluv EQ linked on its page.
The SoundLink Plus is IP67 with close to 20 hours of battery. Its bass is boosted and thuddy, and it has no EQ.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Plus ($179) for a large speaker; the JBL Boombox 4 ($549.95) suits a boombox speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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
| Bose SoundLink Plus | JBL Boombox 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.00 | $549.95 |
| Ranked | #25 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #20 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power cord |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) | 13.2 lbs (5.98 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, LC3, AAC |
| EQ | No | Yes (7 band) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.9” x 3.4” (231 x 99 x 86 mm) | 20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2.5” (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78” (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 41Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| USB Playback | - | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
| Amplifier Power | - | 210W AC / 200W battery |
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