Short answer: the JBL Partybox 1000 for the higher ranking, the JBL Partybox 520 for the lower price. The JBL Partybox 1000 ranks #2 of 10 large party speakers at $1099.95. The JBL Partybox 520 ranks #5 at $799.95, $300 cheaper.
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 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Partybox 520 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 1000 | JBL Partybox 520 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.95 | $799.95 |
| Ranked | #2 of 10 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #5 of 10 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 | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | Yes | Yes (Auracast) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Wifi | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 15.6" x 43.3" x 15.3" (397 x 1050 x 390 mm) | 16.34" x 30.28" x 14.53" (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 |
| Output Power | 1100W | 400W |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox 1000: $1,099.95 Amazon
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. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 15.6" x 43.3" x 15.3" (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 |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 1100W |
| Party Mode | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 75 lbs / 34 kg |
| Wifi | No |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
JBL Partybox 520: $799.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Lightshow ability. The biggest battery powered JBL currently.
Cons: Very large and heavy. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 16.34" x 30.28" x 14.53" (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 |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 400W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 56.2 lbs / 25.5 kg |
| Wifi | No |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 & 720 - indoor listening session
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 vs 720 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 320 vs 520 - indoor listening session
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 320 vs 520 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 vs Teufel Rockster Neo
- Oluv Patreon: W-King T12 vs JBL Partybox 520
- AudioTribe: JBL PartyBox 520 Loudness & BASS Test Will Shock You!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs JBL Partybox 520
- AudioTribe: JBL Partybox 720 vs JBL Partybox 520 Who’s Better?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.