Short answer: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi for volume, the JBL Authentics 300 for smart features. The Wifi model is the loudest speaker in the category, though its bass is boosted. The Authentics 300 integrates Alexa and Google Assistant at once, rare for smart speakers, but sounds narrow with bass that is not as deep as others.
Buy the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $90 saving on the JBL Authentics 300 is not enough to make up the difference.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi is rated for 24 hours, the JBL Authentics 300 only 8 hours.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi at IP67 (brief submersion) against the JBL Authentics 300, which has no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 3 Wifi | JBL Authentics 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $389.95 | $299.95 |
| Ranked | #26 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 200W AC / 140W battery | 100W |
| Dimensions | 19.1” x 10.1” x 7.9” (484 x 256 x 200 mm) | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Strap | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Boombox 3 Wifi compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom X vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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 Wifi: $389.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Loudest speaker in the category. Slightly better frequency response than the non-wifi version. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass boosted. Dip at 160Hz
Full JBL Boombox 3 Wifi review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W AC / 140W battery |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1” x 10.1” x 7.9” (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 WiFi - Sound Test - Wide vs Narrow Soundstage! More from Dominik Reviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Encore 2 Partybox Deep Bass 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi 🎶 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3🧐 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi
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JBL Authentics 300: $299.95 Amazon eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).
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.
Full JBL Authentics 300 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Authentics 300 - sound quality test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - update
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - listening session
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast More from alanrossreviews →
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