These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Boombox 4 ranks #20 of 76 boombox speakers by sound quality at $429.95; the Soundcore Rave 3S ranks #17 of 40 party speakers by sound quality at $299.99.
Why pick the JBL Boombox 4: Pretty insane output capability for the size. The tradeoff: Pretty overpriced for the category.
What the Soundcore Rave 3S does well: 2 AA battery Wireless Microphones and remote control included. The catch: Some upper bass and upper mids boost.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4 at $429.95 if you want a boombox speaker. Buy the Soundcore Rave 3S at $299.99 if you want a party speaker instead.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the JBL Boombox 4 is rated for 28 hours, the Soundcore Rave 3S only 12 hours.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Boombox 4 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Soundcore Rave 3S at IPX4 (splashing).
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | Soundcore Rave 3S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $429.95 | $299.99 |
| Ranked | #20 of 76 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #17 of 40 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (5.98 kg) | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 210W AC / 200W battery | 200W |
| Dimensions | 20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm) | 21.7”H x 11.1”W x 12”D (550 x 283 x 306 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 1x 6.5” (165mm) woofer + 3x 2.5” (63mm) full-range drivers |
| Strap | No | No |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 2 Included |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Boombox 4:
- Earfun Uboom X vs JBL Boombox 4
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox 4
- JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox 4: $429.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older models: the JBL Boombox 3 (rated 3.8/5), the JBL Boombox 2 (rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Boombox (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 Power | 210W AC / 200W battery |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (5.98 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - old one sounding better? 🤔 More from Oluv’Sone →
- 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! More from alanrossreviews →
- 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!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Techder Audios: JBL Boombox 4 VS Zealot ZE21 BATTLE OF THE BOOMBOXES! More from techderaudios →
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test More from Dominik Reviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!!
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S95!!!
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- M1MTechChannel: JBL BOOMBOX 4 - Einfach komplett GEISTESKRANK
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Rave 3S: $299.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the Soundcore Rave 3 (rated 3.8/5).
Pros: 2 AA battery Wireless Microphones and remote control included. AI voice removal feature for Karaoke
Cons: Some upper bass and upper mids boost. Not as deep of bass as a Partybox 110/120
Full Soundcore Rave 3S review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 21.7”H x 11.1”W x 12”D (550 x 283 x 306 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6.5” (165mm) woofer + 3x 2.5” (63mm) full-range drivers |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Rave 3S vs Onn Large Party gen 2
- Soundcore Rave 3S vs W-King T12
- Soundcore Rave 3S vs Sony SRS-XV500
- Soundcore Rave 3S vs Sony SRS-XP500
- Soundcore Rave 3S vs LG XL7
- Soundcore Rave 3S vs Sony SRS-XP700
- Soundcore Rave 3S vs Klipsch Gig XXL
- Soundcore Rave 3S vs Samsung MX-ST50B
- See all 52 comparisons