These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The JBL Authentics 300 ranks #46 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality at $299.95; the Bose Portable Smart Speaker ranks #75 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $399.
Why pick the JBL Authentics 300: A retro styled smart speaker with both Alexa and Google Assistant, a leather handle and battery power. The catch: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
The Bose Portable Smart Speaker is the longer-running, lighter option. A smart speaker with Alexa and Google Assistant built in that streams over Wi-Fi at home and Bluetooth on the go. It is rated for 12 hours of battery against 8 for the JBL Authentics 300. At 2.3 lbs (1.06 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Authentics 300 at 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg). It is rated IPX4, while the JBL Authentics 300 has no water resistance. The catch: RTINGS found the out of the box tuning boomy and says it doesn’t get very loud; the app’s bass and treble sliders help, and SoundGuys recommended cutting bass by 10 to 20 steps to balance it.
Buy the JBL Authentics 300 at $299.95 for a boombox speaker, or the Bose Portable Smart Speaker at $399 for a medium speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM 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
| JBL Authentics 300 | Bose Portable Smart Speaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #46 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #75 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bose Music) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) | Yes (Bose Music multi-room, SimpleSync, AirPlay 2) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) | 2.3 lbs (1.06 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes (far-field mic array, mic mute button) |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | - |
| Dimensions | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) | 7.6” x 4.7” x 4.1” (192 x 119 x 104 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators | 1x high-excursion driver with 360-degree deflector + 3x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant |
| Strap | No | No |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Amazon Music, Pandora, SiriusXM, TuneIn |
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