Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used, though neither ranks well in its class. Used, the JBL Boombox is the better pick: it ranks #62 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 2.9/5), against #73 (rated 2.6/5) for the Bumpboxx Flare 6. If you want one new, the JBL Boombox 4 replaces the JBL Boombox and is rated 4.0/5 at $549.95. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 91 boombox speakers; for better sound, the Tribit Stormbox Blast ranks #2 at $199.99.
The JBL Boombox is the longer-running choice. Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx5 protection and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 12 for the Bumpboxx Flare 6. It links with other speakers (Connect+ up to 100 speakers), which the Bumpboxx Flare 6 cannot. The catch: Treble is not very smooth.
What the Bumpboxx Flare 6 does well: At 13 lbs (5.9 kg), Bumpboxx Flare 6 combines 6” woofer + tweeters with Bluetooth. The catch: There is no companion app.
Buy the JBL Boombox only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Boombox 4, which replaces the JBL Boombox.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox | Bumpboxx Flare 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 Discontinued | $300 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #62 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #73 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| FM Tuner | No | Yes |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60W AC / 40W battery | 150W |
| Dimensions | 10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) | 24” x 6” x 14” (609.6 x 152.4 x 355.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 6” woofer + tweeters |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX6 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 115dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Boombox:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Boombox
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Boombox
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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: $399 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025. See every JBL Boombox generation.
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 →
| Released | Sep 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox vs Sony SRS-XG500
- JBL Boombox vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- JBL Boombox vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- JBL Boombox vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
- JBL Boombox vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- JBL Boombox vs Tronsmart Halo 200
- JBL Boombox vs Sony ULT Field 7
- JBL Boombox vs Skullcandy Barrel
- See all 61 comparisons
Bumpboxx Flare 6: $300 Discontinued eBay
Same family: the Bumpboxx Flare 8 (larger model, ranked higher, rated 2.6/5) and the Bumpboxx Flare8 Pro (larger model, ranked higher, estimated 2.8/5).
Pros: At 5.9 kg, Bumpboxx Flare 6 combines 6” woofer + tweeters with Bluetooth. Claimed 12 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx6 protection, up to 115db and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Discontinued.
Full Bumpboxx Flare 6 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 150W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 24” x 6” x 14” (609.6 x 152.4 x 355.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 6” woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bumpboxx Flare 6 vs EcoXGear Defender
- Bumpboxx Flare 6 vs Bumpboxx Flare 8
- Bumpboxx Flare 6 vs Gemini GGO-650L
- Bumpboxx Flare 6 vs Turtlebox Grande
- Bumpboxx Flare 6 vs W-King D10
- Bumpboxx Flare 6 vs Marshall Tufton
- Bumpboxx Flare 6 vs Diamondboxx M3
- Bumpboxx Flare 6 vs W-King X10
- See all 48 comparisons