Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It ranks #3 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $385. The JBL Partybox On the Go ranks #64, rated 3.0/5, at $249.95, $135.05 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Warm sound with boosted bass. Its bass reaches about 35Hz before falling 10dB, against 49Hz for the JBL Partybox On the Go. At 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Partybox On the Go at 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Partybox On the Go lacks. Watch for: Just a little over half as loud as the higher rated boomboxes.
The JBL Partybox On the Go is the tougher pick. A wireless microphone is included. It is rated IPX4, while the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 has no water resistance. The catch: Battery life is short, and its sound trails the rest of the Partybox line.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $135.05 with the JBL Partybox On the Go does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 | JBL Partybox On the Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $385 | $249.95 |
| Ranked | #3 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #64 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Latency | 112ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 120ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 160W RMS | 100W |
| Dimensions | 17.3” x 9.4” x 7.6” (439 x 240 x 192 mm) | 19.3” x 8.8” x 9.6” (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 130mm (5”) subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 5.1” woofer + tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Go + Play 3:
- EarFun Uboom X vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Go + Play 3: $385 Amazon $385 eBay
Older model: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.9/5). See every Harman Kardon Go + Play generation.
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass. Deepest bass out of any speaker in this size. Sound is more natural than the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2. An aux input, a built-in microphone, a power bank function, stereo pairing and hidden button combinations for adjusting bass and treble. Measured bass extension of 35Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Just a little over half as loud as the higher rated boomboxes. Only 8 hours of battery at medium volume. No water rating.
Setup: Use the hidden EQ modes to adjust the bass up when outside and down when inside. To adjust bass, quickly press the bluetooth and volume down buttons together, the number of light flashes tell you what mode you’re in. To adjust treble, quickly press the volume up and phone buttons at the same time, the number of yellow flashes on the light tell you what mode you are in.
Full Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W RMS |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 112ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 120ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.3” x 9.4” x 7.6” (439 x 240 x 192 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 130mm (5”) subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 - best sounding? More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast - outdoor soundtest
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - first impressions
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs Earfun UBoom X
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 hidden eq modes - world has gone crazy! 🤣 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 3 vs Go Play 2, the holy grail has arrived? ✔
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Distortion Fest vs my favorite speaker today! I wasn’t expecting this!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig 2.1 or the Brane X or the Harman Kardon Go Play 3?
- Dominik Reviews: Tronsmart Fiitune X30 vs HK Go + Play 3 - No chance? - Sound Test More from Dominik Reviews →
- Dominik Reviews: Bugani Brief Pro vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 - HiFI Sound Comparison!
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro Max „HiFi” 🎶🧐🆚 Harman Kardon Go Play 3 „HiFi”🔊 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Mateusz Cholewa: LOEWE WE Hear Pro SUPER STEREO vs HiFi Harman Kardon Go Plus Play 3
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Kilburn 3 DEEP BASS 💪vs HK Go Plus Play 3 DEEP BASS❤❤❤
- Mateusz Cholewa: TEUFEL Boomster 4 vs HK Go Plus Play 3 & Opinion in Subtitles
- Mateusz Cholewa: 140W W-KING X20S vs 160W HK Go Plus Play 3
- Jagist reviews: Bugani Brief Pro Vs Harmon Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Bugani Boost Max Vs Harmon Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!! 😁😁😁
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20s Vs Harman Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!!
- Jagist reviews: Tronsmart Fiitune X30 Vs Harmon Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!!
- Jagist reviews: Harman Kardon Go Plus Play 3 Vs W-king H330!!!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs EarFun Uboom X
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- See all 63 comparisons
JBL Partybox On the Go: $249.95 Amazon $249.95 eBay
Newer model: the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5, released Apr 2026. It adds USB audio input, adjustable EQ, party mode and LC3. Battery life goes from 6 to 15 hours. See every JBL PartyBox On-The-Go generation.
Pros: JBL Partybox On the Go uses 5.1” woofer + tweeters. Its 7.5 kg, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 94dB and limited-stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A wireless microphone is included. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 49Hz specification. No EQ adjustment. Battery life is short, and its sound trails the rest of the Partybox line.
Full JBL Partybox On the Go review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.3” x 8.8” x 9.6” (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.1” woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Sony SRS-XG500
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- JBL Partybox On the Go vs JBL PartyBox On-the-Go Essential
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs JBL Boombox
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
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- See all 87 comparisons