JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Boombox

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4 if sound quality matters most, the original JBL Boombox if price matters most. The Boombox 4 ranks #20 of 91 boombox speakers at $549.95. The original Boombox ranks #62 at $399, $150.95 cheaper.

JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Boombox

The Boombox 4 has pretty insane output capability for its size, with real caveats. Its 7-band EQ gives it more tuning flexibility than the Boombox 3’s 3 bands, but the cons are blunt: it’s overpriced for the category, sounds worse than the Boombox 3 out of the box, and drops Aux input entirely, so wired sources need USB-C instead.

The original Boombox is a simpler, cheaper package with dated fundamentals. Its 2x 65mm woofers and 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators pair with Bluetooth and Aux support, a 24-hour battery, and IPX5 protection. But it has no companion app and no EQ adjustment, meaning you’re stuck with its factory tuning.

Water resistance is not close: the Boombox 4 is rated IP68, surviving extended submersion, well ahead of the original’s IPX5 rating for water jets only.

What the original Boombox keeps that the 4 dropped: a standard Aux input and JBL’s Connect+ party mode supporting up to 100 speakers, versus Auracast on the Boombox 4.

Buy the JBL Boombox 4 for far better water resistance and EQ flexibility, if you can accept the higher price and the loss of Aux input.

Buy the original JBL Boombox if you want a simpler, cheaper speaker with a standard Aux input and don’t need app-based EQ control.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check JBL Boombox 4 price at Amazon ($549.95) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Boombox 4 JBL Boombox
Price$549.95$399 Discontinued
Ranked#20 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#62 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesNo
Aux InputNoYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)41Hz-
Battery Life28 hours (Manufacturer specified)24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (7 band)No
IP RatingIP68IPX5
Bluetooth LatencyAAC 144ms, SBC 48ms-
Maximum SPL115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)-
Party ModeYes (Auracast)Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers)
Power InputAC Power cordUSB-C
Removable BatteryYes-
StereoYesYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
Weight13.2 lbs (5.98 kg)11.5 lbs (5.2 kg)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, LC3, AACSBC
Bluetooth Version5.4-
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 battery60W AC / 40W battery
Dimensions20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm)10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm)
Drivers2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators
StrapNo-
Check JBL Boombox 4 price at Amazon ($549.95) →

More top alternatives to JBL Boombox 4:

Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 4: $549.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Boombox 4 ranking card

Older models: the JBL Boombox 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5), the JBL Boombox 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5).

Pros: Pretty insane output capability for the size. IP68 protection and Auracast pairing with other current JBL speakers. 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)
BluetoothYes
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
StrapNo
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: $399 Discontinued eBay

JBL Boombox ranking card

Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5.

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 →

Amplifier Power60W AC / 40W battery
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm)
Drivers2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators
EQNo
FM TunerNo
IP RatingIPX5
MicroSD PlaybackNo
Microphone InputNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight11.5 lbs (5.2 kg)
Search eBay for JBL Boombox →