Short answer: the ION Pathfinder 320, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #100 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 2.2/5, at $129.99; the Turtlebox Gen 3 ranks #105, rated 2.1/5, and costs $430, so there is little reason to consider the other one. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 113 boombox speakers; for better sound, the Tribit Stormbox Blast ranks #2 at $199.99.
The ION Pathfinder 320 is the longer-running pick. A wheeled party speaker with an enormous battery, splash resistance, FM radio and ports for charging phones. It is rated for 100 hours of battery against 25 for the Turtlebox Gen 3. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Turtlebox Gen 3 lacks. The catch: Bass is not as deep as competitors.
The Turtlebox Gen 3 is the lighter, tougher pick. A loud, waterproof and crushproof outdoor speaker with a big battery, device charging and party mode linking. At 10 lbs (4.54 kg) it weighs much less than the ION Pathfinder 320 at 22.7 lbs (10.3 kg). It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the ION Pathfinder 320. It has a microphone input for karaoke or announcements, which the ION Pathfinder 320 lacks. The tradeoff: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 2: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
Buy the ION Pathfinder 320. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Gen 3 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| ION Pathfinder 320 | Turtlebox Gen 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $430.00 |
| Ranked | #100 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 100 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| FM Tuner | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP67 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 22.7 lbs (10.3 kg) | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (High/Low frequency) | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) |
| Microphone Input | No | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 200W | 50W |
| Dimensions | 15.1” x 10.4” x 19.4” (383.5 x 264.2 x 492.8 mm) | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 4” (102mm) drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~65Hz |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | No |
| Battery Capacity | - | 85Wh |
| Maximum SPL | - | 102dB (measured by Williston Audio Labs) |
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