These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Boombox 4 ranks #20 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality at $549.95; the Soundcore Rave 3S ranks #20 of 53 party speakers by sound quality at $299.99.
The JBL Boombox 4 is the longer-running, lighter choice. An extremely loud boombox for its size with fully waterproof, dustproof build, a long battery and a flexible app EQ. It is rated for 28 hours of battery against 12 for the Soundcore Rave 3S. At 13.2 lbs (5.98 kg) it weighs much less than the Soundcore Rave 3S at 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg). It is rated IP68 against IPX4 for the Soundcore Rave 3S. The catch: Pretty overpriced for the category.
What the Soundcore Rave 3S does well: A big party speaker with two wireless microphones, a remote, and a vocal removal feature for karaoke nights. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Boombox 4 lacks. It has a microphone input for karaoke or announcements, which the JBL Boombox 4 lacks. The tradeoff: Some upper bass and upper mids boost.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4 at $549.95 if you want a boombox speaker. Buy the Soundcore Rave 3S at $299.99 if you want a party speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | Soundcore Rave 3S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $299.99 |
| Ranked | #20 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #20 of 53 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 | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
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