JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3

Last updated: September 20, 2026

Short answer: the Boombox 4 if you’re buying either, but look at the rest of the class first. The Boombox 4 ranks #19 out of 75 boombox speakers at $549.95; the Boombox 3 ranks #23 at $399.

JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Boombox 3

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 (1.5 lbs) 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](/portable/speakers/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 $150.95 gap suggests. Buy the Boombox 3 only at a steep discount, or if you need the aux input.

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Buy the JBL Boombox 4 at Amazon ($549.95) →Buy the JBL Boombox 3 at Amazon ($399.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Boombox 4 JBL Boombox 3
Price$549.95$399.00
Ranked#19 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#23 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesNo
Aux InputNoYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)41Hz43Hz
Battery Life28 hours (Manufacturer specified)24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (7 band)No
IP RatingIP68IP67
Bluetooth LatencyAAC 144ms, SBC 48ms100ms
Maximum SPL115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Party ModeYes (Auracast)Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power InputAC Power cordAC Power cable
Removable BatteryYes-
StereoYesYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
Weight13.2 lbs (5.98 kg)14.8 lbs (6.7 kg)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, LC3, AACSBC
Bluetooth Version5.45.3
Built-in MicrophoneNoNo
Power BankYes (USB-C, up to 30W)Yes (USB-A)
TWSYesYes
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)No
USB PlaybackNoNo
FM TunerNoNo
Microphone InputNoNo
MicroSD PlaybackNoNo
Amplifier Power210W AC / 200W battery180W AC / 136W battery
Dimensions20.1" x 10.2" x 8.3" (510 x 260 x 210 mm)19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm)
Drivers2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters
Aux Latency-25ms
Buy the JBL Boombox 4 at Amazon ($549.95) →Buy the JBL Boombox 3 at Amazon ($399.00) →

How JBL Boombox 4 compares with other leading options:

Prices on this page were last checked September 21, 2026 at 12:46 AM 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 4: $549.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Boombox 4 ranking card

Pros: Pretty insane output capability for the size. Measured bass extension of 41Hz (-10dB).

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.

Full JBL Boombox 4 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power210W AC / 200W battery
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)41Hz
Battery Life28 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, LC3, AAC
Bluetooth LatencyAAC 144ms, SBC 48ms
Bluetooth Version5.4
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)
Dimensions20.1" x 10.2" x 8.3" (510 x 260 x 210 mm)
Drivers2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators
EQYes (7 band)
FM TunerNo
IP RatingIP68
Maximum SPL115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
MicroSD PlaybackNo
Microphone InputNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C, up to 30W)
Power InputAC Power cord
Removable BatteryYes
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight13.2 lbs (5.98 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($549.95) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for JBL Boombox 4 →

JBL Boombox 3: $399.00 Amazon eBay

JBL Boombox 3 ranking card

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 →

Amplifier Power180W AC / 136W battery
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency25ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)43Hz
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency100ms
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm)
Drivers1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters
EQNo
FM TunerNo
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
MicroSD PlaybackNo
Microphone InputNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A)
Power InputAC Power cable
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight14.8 lbs (6.7 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($399.00) →Search eBay for JBL Boombox 3 →