Short answer: the 310 if you can still find one, the 330 if you want it new. The 310 is discontinued but still ranks #4 of 53 party speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new. The 330 ranks #2 at $629.95, $50 more than the 310’s last listed price of $579.95.
The extra 40W did not change how it sounds. JBL bumped rated power from 240W to 280W between the 310 and the 330, but our notes on the 330 are explicit that its sound quality is nearly identical to the 310 despite the increase. The 310 remains the speaker measured to reach 32Hz before dropping 10dB, deeper than any other battery-powered speaker on the site, and reviewers still call it the most balanced-sounding model in the Partybox lineup.
What the 330 genuinely adds:
- Auracast party mode, which the 310 never got.
- A removable battery, so a dead pack does not retire the whole speaker.
- An optical input for connecting a TV.
- USB-C lossless playback instead of USB-A.
What the 330 takes away: the dedicated microphone gain and control knobs found on the 310 and Stage 320. If you run karaoke or live sound regularly, that is a real downgrade in usability even though the input count stayed the same.
Buy the 310 used if you can find one near its old price. You get the better-measured speaker for less money, and the only things you give up are Auracast and a removable battery.
Buy the 330 if you want current warranty coverage and stock availability, or if the optical input and removable battery matter more to you than saving $50.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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 Partybox 310 | JBL Partybox 330 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $579.95 Discontinued | $629.95 |
| Ranked | #4 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #2 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours | 3 hours |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (Smart EQ mode) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) | 37.7 lbs (17.1 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 240W | 280W |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” (165mm) woofers + 2x 2.5” (65mm) tweeters | 2x 6.5” (165mm) woofers + 2x 1” (25mm) PEN dome tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 27.1”H x 12.8”W x 14.5”D (687.7 x 325.6 x 367.8 mm) | 26.1”H x 13.1”W x 14.8”D (662.5 x 334 x 375 mm) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 6.0 |
| Strap | No | No |
| Inputs | - | Optical |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
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