Short answer: the JBL Partybox 1000 as the previous flagship in that size, the JBL Partybox 520 if you want a lightshow. The 1000 is right up there with the Partybox Ultimate as the previous speaker in that size, though it has no battery. The 520 adds lightshow ability but is very large and heavy.
What the JBL Partybox 1000 gets right: Right up there with the Partybox Ultimate, this was the previous speaker in that size. The tradeoff: No battery.
On the JBL Partybox 520 side: Lightshow ability. The tradeoff: Very large and heavy.
Buy the JBL Partybox 1000. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $300 saving on the JBL Partybox 520 is not enough to make up the difference.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Partybox 520 at IPX4 (splashing) against the JBL Partybox 1000, which has no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 1000 | JBL Partybox 520 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.95 | $799.95 |
| Ranked | #3 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #7 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 75 lbs (34 kg) | 56.2 lbs (25.5 kg) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (5 band) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 15.6" x 41.3" x 15.4" (397 x 1050 x 390 mm) | 16.3" x 30.3" x 14.5" (415 x 769 x 369 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 12" down-firing woofer, 2x 7" midrange, 1x compression horn tweeter | 2x 7.5" woofer, 2x 1" dome tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 1100W | 400W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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 Partybox 1000: $1,099.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Right up there with the Partybox Ultimate, this was the previous speaker in that size. A better value than the Partybox Ultimate. Nice waterfall lightshow.
Cons: Very large and heavy. No battery. No app.
Full JBL Partybox 1000 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1100W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.6" x 41.3" x 15.4" (397 x 1050 x 390 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 12" down-firing woofer, 2x 7" midrange, 1x compression horn tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 75 lbs (34 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
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JBL Partybox 520: $799.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: JBL’s biggest battery-powered PartyBox combines very high output, deep chesty bass, wheels and a telescoping handle with a capable app EQ, lights, USB-C audio and mic/instrument inputs. RTINGS finds it loud enough for backyards and unusually well-equipped for a battery party speaker.
Cons: It is very large and heavy, Bluetooth latency is high for video, and its front-facing design loses much of the mids and treble to people off to the sides. The bass-heavy default can also make dialogue less clear without EQ.
Full JBL Partybox 520 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 400W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.3" x 30.3" x 14.5" (415 x 769 x 369 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 7.5" woofer, 2x 1" dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 56.2 lbs (25.5 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 & 720 - indoor listening session More from Oluv’Sone →
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- AudioTribe: JBL PartyBox 520 Loudness & BASS Test Will Shock You!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs JBL Partybox 520 More from GYMCADDY →
- AudioTribe: JBL Partybox 720 vs JBL Partybox 520 Who’s Better?
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
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