Short answer: the JBL Boombox 3. It ranks #27 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $349.95 and is still sold new; the JBL Boombox ranks #67 (rated 2.9/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Boombox’s replacement, the JBL Boombox 4, is rated 4.0/5 at $549.95.
The JBL Boombox 3 is the better-sounding, tougher pick. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the JBL Boombox. Watch for: 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.
The JBL Boombox is the lighter choice. Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx5 protection and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. At 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Boombox 3 at 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg). Watch for: Treble is not very smooth.
Buy the JBL Boombox 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Boombox is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 3 | JBL Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $399 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #27 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 180W AC / 136W battery | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| Dimensions | 19” x 10.1” x 7.9” (482 x 257 x 200 mm) | 10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Strap | No | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Boombox 3:
- EarFun Uboom X vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3
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 3: $349.95 Amazon $349.95 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025. It adds USB audio input, app control, adjustable EQ and AAC, but drops the aux input. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.
Older models: the JBL Boombox 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5). See every JBL Boombox generation.
Same family: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5).
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. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).
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.
Full JBL Boombox 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19” x 10.1” x 7.9” (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (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 cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - any improvement? More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - old one sounding better? 🤔
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Boombox 3 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Boombox 3 - outdoor
- 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: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
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- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 Compared to Boombox 3 & 3 WiFi – Worth the Upgrade?
- Alan Ross Reviews: W King T11 party boombox and Karaoke machine review vs T9, Stormbox Blast and Boombox 3.
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Distortion Fest vs my favorite speaker today! I wasn’t expecting this!
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- Dominik Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 vs 2x Tribit Stormbox Blast 🤑 Huge difference? More from Dominik Reviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Boombox 3 Tailgater Special @20ft. The Budget Beast Against the OG Boombox More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
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- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Authentics 500 vs Boombox 3 🙮💨 Bluetooth Speaker Sound Comparison. Plugged In 🔌 Get Your 💵 Out!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description
- Picky Audio: SO CLOSE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3 More from pickyaudio →
- Picky Audio: Extended Sound Test (Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3)
- YARNZO Tech: Jbl boombox3 vs zealot s98 full sound comparison 🔊🎧 More from YARNZO Tech →
- GYMCADDY: Bose S1 Pro Vs JBL Boombox 3 & Sony ULT 7 More from GYMCADDY →
- AudioTribe: JBL Authentics 500 VS JBL Boombox 3 Sound Test Comparison
- flmclau: Zealot s98 160W!!!quick unboxing and sound test,is it better than Jbl boombox 3?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Boombox: $399 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025. See every JBL Boombox generation.
Pros: At 5.2 kg, JBL Boombox combines 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators with Bluetooth and aux. Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx5 protection and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. JBL Connect+ links up to 100 compatible speakers.
Cons: There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Treble is not very smooth. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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