Short answer: the JBL Partybox 310 for bass and balance. It has the deepest bass of any battery powered speaker and the most balanced sound in its class, though it is very large and its daisychain will not work with non-JBL speakers. The Mackie Thump Go’s 8-inch woofer and 1-inch compression driver promise incredible dynamic range, but it is not quite as good sounding as an Everse 8 or S1 Pro and its Bluetooth pairing does not auto connect.
Buy the JBL Partybox 310 ($449.95) for a party speaker; the Mackie Thump Go ($449.99) suits a battery-powered PA speaker instead.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Partybox 310 is rated for 18 hours versus 12 hours for the Mackie Thump Go.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Partybox 310 is rated at IPX4 (splashing), well ahead of the Mackie Thump Go at no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings and PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 310 | Mackie Thump Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.95 Discontinued | $449.99 |
| Ranked | #4 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #7 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Stereo | Partially | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 240W | 200W |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” (165mm) woofers + 2x 2.5” (65mm) tweeters | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 27.1”H x 12.8”W x 14.5”D (687.7 x 325.6 x 367.8 mm) | 18” x 9.1” x 11.2” (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Inputs | - | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 115dB |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Polypropylene |
| Rigging | - | 35mm pole mount; monitor wedge |
| Coverage | - | 90° H x 60° V |
| DSP | - | Feedback eliminator, Music Duck and voicing modes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 57Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 57Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Partybox 310:
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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 310: $449.95 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox 330, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5.
Pros: Absolute deepest bass of any battery powered speaker, most balanced sound in the class, handle and wheels are convenient. Increase treble one step in the app EQ to make it more neutral. Customizable color lighting modes. Very close to the JBL Partybox Stage 320 in terms of performance. Measured bass extension of 32Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Very large. Discontinued.
Full JBL Partybox 310 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 240W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 27.1”H x 12.8”W x 14.5”D (687.7 x 325.6 x 367.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” (165mm) woofers + 2x 2.5” (65mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- KULAS TECH SHOW: JBL Partybox 310, 100, on the Go Sound comparison More from KULASTECHSHOW20 →
- Flossy Carter: JBL PartyBox 310 vs PartyBox 300 More from FlossyCarter →
- DLX Willington: SONY SRS XP700 vs JBL PARTYBOX 310 First Impressions Binaural Sound Sample Sound Comparison More from DLXWillington →
- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Go Vs JBL Partybox 310 Vs Sony XP700 More from GYMCADDY →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Basement Bass Battle 💣 Sony XV800 ☢️ LG XL7 🔆 JBL Partybox 310 ☣️ All Plugged in, Sound Comparison More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs 310 🛜 Defcon 5🚨 Bass Alert! Take Shelter Immediately! 😲 Best Bass Goes To?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs 310 🥳 A Family Feud! Battery Powered🔋Bluetooth Party Speakers Face-Off🤬
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: LG XL7 vs JBL Partybox 310 🏠 Indoor Bluetooth Party Speaker Battle. Plugged in🔌
- GYMCADDY: LG XBOOM XL7 Vs JBL Partybox 310 Vs Sony XP700
- Stereo Specs: JBL PARTYBOX 310 VS SONY GTK XB72 SOUND TEST COMPARISON
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Sony SRS-XV900 vs JBL Partybox 310 - Can the JBL Middleweight 💪🏽 Compete With The Sony Heavyweight?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 310 vs Sony ULT Tower 5
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox 130
- JBL Partybox 310 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox 100
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox 110
- See all 39 comparisons
Mackie Thump Go: $449.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: 8-inch custom high-output woofer + 1-inch compression driver delivers powerful audio with incredible dynamic range. Built-in mini live mixer with two XLR/TRS combo inputs + 3.5mm aux. Up to 12 hours battery (5 hours comfortable gig time), removable for swapping spares. Lightweight 17.6 lbs. Balanced sound with crisp highs, tight lows, natural vocals. Pair two Mackie Thump Gos for stereo via app. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Not quite as good sounding as a Everse 8 or S1 Pro. Bluetooth pairing doesn’t auto connect every time. Designed for more loudness than deeper bass. Battery latch breaks easily. Handle on top also can break off. Not very deep bass
Full Mackie Thump Go review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Coverage | 90° H x 60° V |
| DSP | Feedback eliminator, Music Duck and voicing modes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18” x 9.1” x 11.2” (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 57Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount; monitor wedge |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Sound Demonstration The New EV Everse 8 compared to The Mackie Thump Go
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Shootout MACKIE THUMP GO vs BOSE S1 PRO vs JBL EON ONE COMPACT Max Volume Demo A New Winner!
- W. Weiss: Part 2 NEW MACKIE THUMP GO review/sound demo VS JBL Compact & Bose S1Pro Most Popular portable PAs
- W. Weiss: The $400 Club - Budget Portable PA’s Mackie Thump Go, JBL Partybox 110, Yamaha DBR10
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Mackie Thump Go vs Bose S1 Pro+
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- Mackie Thump Go vs Teufel Rockster Neo
- Mackie Thump Go vs Electro-Voice Everse 8
- Mackie Thump Go vs Electrotec Stage One
- Mackie Thump Go vs JBL Eon One Compact
- See all 36 comparisons