Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4, if you are buying new. The JBL Boombox 2 ranks higher than the Marshall Tufton (#43 vs #83 of 98 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Boombox 4, is rated 4.0/5 at $549.95 and is still sold new.
The JBL Boombox 2 is the better-sounding, tougher pick. 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. It is rated IPX7 against IPX2 for the Marshall Tufton. It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the Marshall Tufton cannot. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Marshall Tufton. The tradeoff: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy.
Why pick the Marshall Tufton: 20 hour battery life; 2.5 hour full charge, or 20-min quick-charge for 4 hours of play. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Boombox 2 lacks. The tradeoff: Not much lower bass, upper bass boomy, boosted treble, not very balanced overall.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Boombox 2; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Marshall Tufton.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 2 | Marshall Tufton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 Discontinued | $369.99 |
| Ranked | #43 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #83 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX2 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 140ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (hidden bass and treble adjustment) |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 160W | 80W |
| Dimensions | 19.1” x 7.9” x 10.1” (485 x 201 x 257 mm) | 9” x 6.4” x 13.8” (229.1 x 163.1 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 1x 5.25” woofer + 2x 2” full-range + 1x 16mm tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Boombox 2 compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Boombox 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Boombox 2
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
JBL Boombox 2: $449.99 Discontinued Amazon $449.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025.
Older model: the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5). See every JBL Boombox generation.
Pros: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. IPX7 rated. Doubles as a power bank. Bluetooth 5.1 with PartyBoost (up to 100 speakers). Reaches 101dB. Measured bass extension of 46Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 140ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1” x 7.9” x 10.1” (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 review vs JBL Boombox 2 a subwoofer and a 3 way equals heaven? 💋 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 vs Onyx Studio 7 big bass battle 💋
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Boombox 2 big bass boombox speakers 💕
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 bass monster or the mature Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini for bass?? 💥
- Mateusz Cholewa: 2 x 🔊Teufel Boomster 2021🎵 vs JBL Boombox 2 AC🔌 Power Test Audio🎧. More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- YARNZO Tech: Outdoor sound test between zealot s98 and jbl boombox2 👂🎧🔊 More from YARNZO Tech →
- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Go Vs JBL Boombox 2 Vs UE Hyperboom Vs Sony XG500 More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Marshall Tufton: $369.99 Amazon $369.99 eBay
Pros: 20 hour battery life; 2.5 hour full charge, or 20-min quick-charge for 4 hours of play. 3-way speaker design covers full frequency range in 360°. Sturdy construction with IPX2 rating. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not much lower bass, upper bass boomy, boosted treble, not very balanced overall. Not as loud as others in the class. Very low water rating
Full Marshall Tufton review and specifications →
| Released | May 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9” x 6.4” x 13.8” (229.1 x 163.1 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 5.25” woofer + 2x 2” full-range + 1x 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (hidden bass and treble adjustment) |
| IP Rating | IPX2 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons