Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4, with the Rave Party 2 still unproven. The JBL has pretty insane output for its size with a 7-band EQ, but it is overpriced, sounds worse than the Boombox 3 out of the box and drops the aux input. The Rave Party 2 has a poor water rating and bass extension that does not seem very good, and it may move around in the rankings as better sound samples arrive.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Soundcore Rave Party 2 is discontinued.
Battery life favors the JBL Boombox 4: rated for 28 hours against 16 hours for the Soundcore Rave Party 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Boombox 4 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Soundcore Rave Party 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | Soundcore Rave Party 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $159.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #20 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #58 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power brick |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (5.98 kg) | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) | Yes (USB-A) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
| Dimensions | 20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm) | 7.5” x 7.8” x 15.7” (191 x 198 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 2x 4” (100mm) woofers + 2x 2” (50mm) tweeters |
| Strap | No | No |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to 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 PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs 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
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 Power | 210W AC / 200W battery |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 Party 2: $159.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Older models: the Soundcore Trance (rated 2.1/5) and the Soundcore Rave Mega (rated 2.1/5).
Pros: Soundcore Rave Party 2 uses 2x 4” (100mm) woofers + 2x 2” (50mm) tweeters. Its 4.6 kg, claimed 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: There is no companion app. Only IPX4 splash resistance, and bass extension seems limited. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Rave Party 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 7.8” x 15.7” (191 x 198 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 4” (100mm) woofers + 2x 2” (50mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs. Tribit Stormbox Blast - Bluetooth Speaker Basement ⚒ Battle More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 🎇 & Rave Neo 2 🎉 Head to Head Off The Floor. A Family Battle❗️
- Jagist reviews: Soundcore Rave Party 2 Bass Test 😍 More from Jagistreviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 🔥 Unboxing & Short Sound Demo. Is This The New Speaker To Beat Under $200?💵
- Flossy Carter: Soundcore Rave Neo 2 / Rave Party 2 - Affordable Party Speakers with RGB Lights More from FlossyCarter →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs Soundcore Rave Party 2 (Stock & Custom EQ) 🛜 Battery Powered🔋Let’s Get It🧨
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs JBL Boombox
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- See all 57 comparisons