Short answer: the Boombox 3, unless the smart-speaker features specifically matter to you. It ranks #21 of 71 boombox speakers at $399; the Authentics 300 ranks #30 at $299.95, $99 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 300 | JBL Boombox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #30 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #21 of 70 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 |
| Max Volume | 100dB | 110dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (JBL One) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | No | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| MicroSD Playback | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 100W | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Dimensions | 342mm x 195.6mm x 180.3mm | 48.2cm x 25.7cm x 20cm |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Aux Latency | - | 25ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Authentics 300: $299.95 Amazon
Pros: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. 100-watt amp, carries well with leather-trimmed handle. Rechargeable battery rated ~8 hours.
Cons: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 342mm x 195.6mm x 180.3mm |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (JBL One) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
JBL Boombox 3: $399.00 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Doubles as a power bank. PartyBoost links up to 100 compatible JBL speakers. Three-way speaker system with subwoofer.
Cons: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 48.2cm x 25.7cm x 20cm |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Output Power | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Boombox 3 - outdoor test
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 review vs JBL Boombox 2 a subwoofer and a 3 way equals heaven? 💋
- Alan Ross Reviews: W King T11 party boombox and Karaoke machine review vs T9, Stormbox Blast and Boombox 3.
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 vs 2x Tribit Stormbox Blast 🤑 Huge difference?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Boombox 3 - outdoor
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Boombox 3 Tailgater Special @20ft. The Budget Beast Against the OG Boombox
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 🔊 Got Bass? Let’s See How They Compare 😲 Battery Powered 🔋
- Picky Audio: SO CLOSE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3
- Picky Audio: Extended Sound Test (Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3)
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart Bang Max Review, JBL Boombox 3 wannabe 130w
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy BARREL XT vs JBL Boombox 3 🤯Budget Banger vs Reigning Champ 🔋 Battery Powered 🏠 Indoors
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: SONY ULT Field 7 💣vs JBL Boombox 3 🧨 Showdown! 🪇Let’s Shake it Up! 🔋Battery Powered Basement Battle
- AudioTribe: JBL Authentics 500 VS JBL Boombox 3 Sound Test Comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox 3 vs JBL Boombox 4
- JBL Boombox 3 vs JBL Authentics 500
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Sony ULT Field 7
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- JBL Boombox 3 vs W-King X20
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Zealot ZE21
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL Boombox 3 vs W-King T11
- Links
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.