Short answer: the JBL Boombox 3 if sound quality matters most, the Soundcore Boom 2 Pro if price matters most. The JBL Boombox 3 ranks #27 of 98 boombox speakers, rated 3.8/5, at $349.95. The Soundcore Boom 2 Pro ranks #38, rated 3.6/5, at $139.99, $209.96 cheaper.
What the JBL Boombox 3 does well: IP67 rated. 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 Soundcore Boom 2 Pro is the lighter pick. A tougher version of the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus with IP68 dust and water protection instead of IPX7, a metal front grille, and a body that floats. At 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Boombox 3 at 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Boombox 3 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Boombox 3 lacks. Watch for: No side-by-side sound comparisons yet, so its rating is estimated from the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus, which shares its drivers and amplifier.
Buy the JBL Boombox 3 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Soundcore Boom 2 Pro if the price is the priority over sound quality.
About the ratings: the Soundcore Boom 2 Pro’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.4 to 3.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 3 | Soundcore Boom 2 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $139.99 |
| Ranked | #27 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #38 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | USB-C (30W fast charging, 3 hours) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (9 band custom EQ + presets) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-C, 10W) |
| USB Playback | No | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 180W AC / 136W battery | 140W |
| Dimensions | 19” x 10.1” x 7.9” (482 x 257 x 200 mm) | 17.4” x 9” x 5.9” (442 x 228 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 111mm woofers + 2x 19mm tweeters + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Boombox 3 compares with other leading options:
- 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 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Boombox 3 - outdoor test More from Oluv’Sone →
- 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: 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? More from Dominik Reviews →
- 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 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- 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 More from pickyaudio →
- 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 Compared to Boombox 3 & 3 WiFi – Worth the Upgrade?
- YARNZO Tech: Jbl boombox3 vs zealot s98 full sound comparison 🔊🎧 More from YARNZO Tech →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Distortion Fest vs my favorite speaker today! I wasn’t expecting this!
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - any improvement?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Authentics 500 vs Boombox 3 🙮💨 Bluetooth Speaker Sound Comparison. Plugged In 🔌 Get Your 💵 Out!
- flmclau: Zealot s98 160W!!!quick unboxing and sound test,is it better than Jbl boombox 3?
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - old one sounding better? 🤔
- Alan Ross Reviews: This changed my opinion on JBL speakers!
- GYMCADDY: Bose S1 Pro Vs JBL Boombox 3 & Sony ULT 7 More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox 3 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
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- See all 96 comparisons
Soundcore Boom 2 Pro: $139.99 Estimated Woot $139.99 Lowest Walmart $197.00 Best Buy $249.99 eBay
Pros: A tougher version of the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus with IP68 dust and water protection instead of IPX7, a metal front grille, and a body that floats. Inside it is the same 140W design with two woofers and two tweeters for real stereo, plenty of bass with BassUp, a 9 band app EQ, aux input, a detachable shoulder strap, a 10W USB-C power bank and PartyCast for linking more speakers.
Cons: No side-by-side sound comparisons yet, so its rating is estimated from the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus, which shares its drivers and amplifier. That means the same warm stock tuning with upper bass boost and a dip from the upper mids into the treble that dulls vocals, and owners say it needs EQ. Reviewers found it loses fullness and gets a bit fatiguing at its very highest volume.
Full Soundcore Boom 2 Pro review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 140W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.4” x 9” x 5.9” (442 x 228 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 111mm woofers + 2x 19mm tweeters + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (9 band custom EQ + presets) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 10W) |
| Power Input | USB-C (30W fast charging, 3 hours) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs JBL Boombox 4
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs Ultimate Ears Epicboom
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs Soundcore Boom 2
- See all 11 comparisons