Short answer: the Demerbox DB2. It ranks #49 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $400; the Turtlebox Gen 3 ranks #68 and costs $430, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Demerbox DB2 offers: Built from an actual Pelican case, so it’s nearly indestructible and waterproof (IP67), plus 40+ hour battery life and doubles as a power bank. Watch for: Bass isn’t as deep as better speakers, and it’s expensive for what it does.
What the Turtlebox Gen 3 offers: True multi-speaker Party Mode on top of stereo pairing, USB-C charging that can also top off other devices, and a claimed 120dB output. Watch for: It ranks near the bottom of the boombox class here, and reviewers say it falls well short of that claimed volume once you measure from a normal distance.
Buy the Demerbox DB2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Gen 3 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Turtlebox Gen 3. It ranks near the bottom of the 73 boombox speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Demerbox DB2 is rated for 40 hours versus 25 hours for the Turtlebox Gen 3.
Specifications Side By Side
| Demerbox DB2 | Turtlebox Gen 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 | $430.00 |
| Ranked | #49 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #68 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 5.4 lbs / 2.47 kg | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Output Power | 22W RMS | 50W |
| Dimensions | 10.6" x 9.7" x 6.9" (270 x 246 x 175 mm) | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3" (76mm) aluminum cone full-range drivers | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~65Hz |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.4 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- Bumpboxx Flare 6 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
The Two Speakers In Full
Demerbox DB2: $400 Amazon
Pros: 40+ hour battery life even at higher volumes (real-world: ~14 hrs with phone charging mixed in). Built from a Pelican case - nearly indestructible and waterproof (IP67). Multi-pair up to 6 units. Doubles as power bank and waterproof container.
Cons: Bass is not as deep as better speakers. Very overpriced.
Full Demerbox DB2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6" x 9.7" x 6.9" (270 x 246 x 175 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3" (76mm) aluminum cone full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 22W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.4 lbs / 2.47 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Turtlebox Gen 3: $430.00 Amazon
Pros: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25+ hour battery life. USB-C charging and USB-C output charges other devices. True multi-speaker Party Mode added on top of stereo pairing, plus Bluetooth 5.4.
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Gen 2: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. They pretty much lie about all their specs and sound horrible in all youtube sound samples. Will never hit its claimed 120db at a reasonable measuring distance. Putting your db meter right against the speaker doesn’t count, 1 meter distance is the standard. Barely any bass. Rattles at high volume. Looking at it, it appears to be a generic car 2-way 6x9 speaker in a plastic box.
Full Turtlebox Gen 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Turtlebox
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs EcoXGear Defender
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Turtlebox Grande
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Earfun Uboom X
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Turtlebox Ranger
- See all 12 comparisons