Short answer: the Boombox 4 if you’re buying either, but look at the rest of the class first. The Boombox 4 ranks #16 out of 68 boombox speakers at $549.95; the Boombox 3 ranks #20 at $399.
The upgrade is real but narrow, and it is mostly the EQ. Our notes are explicit: the Boombox 4 is better than the 3 mostly because it has 7 EQ bands instead of 3 and so can be tuned properly. The underlying tuning problems of the line — dips in the mid-bass that leave the bass sounding undefined, boosted bass, a peak around 700 Hz on the 3 — are the sort of thing more EQ bands help with.
Bass extension actually goes the wrong way: 41 Hz on the 4 against 43 Hz on the 3. Output and volume go the right way: 210 W and 115 dB against 180 W and 110 dB.
Other differences: IP68 against IP67, 28 hours against 24, and the 4 is 0.7 kg lighter. The 4 moves to Auracast; the 3 uses PartyBoost, and they do not pair with each other. The 3 has an aux input, which the 4 drops — if you want to plug in a mixer or a turntable, that alone decides it.
The honest framing. Both sit in the middle of their class while being among its most expensive members. The Tribit Stormbox Blast ranks #2 at $180, weighs less, and survives submersion. Unless you specifically want the JBL badge, Auracast, or that much raw volume, the money goes further elsewhere.
Buy the Boombox 4 over the 3 — the EQ bands are worth more than the $150 gap suggests. Buy the Boombox 3 only at a steep discount, or if you need the aux input.
Last updated: August 07, 2026
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | JBL Boombox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #16 of 68 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #20 of 68 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms | 100ms |
| Max Volume | 115dB | 110dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cable |
| Removable Battery | Yes | — |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 5.98 kg | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Audio | Yes | — |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| MicroSD | No | No |
| Output Power | 210W AC / 200W battery | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Dimensions | 51cm x 26cm x 21cm | 48.2cm x 25.7cm x 20cm |
| Driver | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Aux Latency | — | 25ms |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox 4: $549.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Pretty insane output capability for the size.
Cons: Pretty overpriced for the category. Better than the Boombox 3 mostly because there are more 7 EQ bands instead of just 3 and it can be better tuned. Try Oluv’s EQ for it. Out of the box sounds worse than the Boombox 3. No Aux input.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 51cm x 26cm x 21cm |
| Driver | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 115dB |
| MicroSD | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Output Power | 210W AC / 200W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Audio | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 5.98 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - old one sounding better? 🤔
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Earfun UBoom X - sound test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - any improvement?
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Partybox Encore 2 - outdoor loudness & basstest
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 - finally a real BOOMbox from JBL 👏
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 HUMILIATES Brane X?! Ultimate Bass Battle!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 Compared to Boombox 3 & 3 WiFi – Worth the Upgrade?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 distortion fest bonanza! how bad can it be lol 🤣
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot Ze21!!!
- Techder Audios: JBL Boombox 4 VS Zealot ZE21 BATTLE OF THE BOOMBOXES!
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!!
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S95!!!
- 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 |
| Driver | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| MicroSD | 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
- Links
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Product prices and availability were last checked August 7, 2026 at 5:43 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.