Short answer: the Boombox 3, unless the smart-speaker features specifically matter to you. It ranks #27 of 113 boombox speakers at $349.95; the Authentics 300 ranks #46 at $299.95, $50 less.
The Authentics 300 is JBL’s smart-speaker crossover. It integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant at once, a rare combination, wrapped in a retro seventies design with leather trim. The tradeoffs are real: no IP rating at all, no TWS, and only about 8 hours of battery against the Boombox 3’s 24.
The Boombox 3’s own complaints are about bass definition, not features. Dips in the mid bass and a peak at 700Hz keep it from matching the Stormbox Blast’s mids and treble, per our notes, but it’s still the more capable speaker for taking outside.
Buy the Boombox 3 for water resistance and battery life. Buy the Authentics 300 only if you specifically want dual voice assistants and the retro look on a shelf near an outlet.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Boombox 3 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Authentics 300 at no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A retro styled smart speaker with both Alexa and Google Assistant, a leather handle and battery power.
A loud, fully waterproof boombox with a dedicated subwoofer, a 24 hour battery and power bank charging.
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
| JBL Authentics 300 | JBL Boombox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #46 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| MicroSD Playback | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Dimensions | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) | 19” x 10.1” x 7.9” (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | - |
| Strap | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 25ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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