Short answer: the 330 for most buyers, the Soundboks 2 only if raw outdoor SPL and XLR inputs matter more than polish. The Soundboks 2 is discontinued, and at $449 it’s cheaper than the 330’s $629.95, but the two are built for different jobs.
The Soundboks 2 is a battery-powered PA speaker first and a party speaker second. Its 2x 10-inch woofers and silk-dome tweeter reach a claimed 124dB, well beyond typical party-speaker output, and it has proper XLR/6.3mm combo inputs for mics and instruments plus a removable battery rated for 40 hours. It has no app EQ, no TWS stereo pairing and no water resistance rating at all, and its tonal balance is described as less refined than current party speakers.
The 330 is the more complete, current package. It adds a light show, Auracast, USB-C lossless and optical inputs, wheels and a telescoping handle, none of which the Soundboks 2 offers. Reviewers note the 330’s own sound is nearly identical to JBL’s previous Stage 320 and 310 despite the wattage bump, so its improvement over cheaper JBL models is modest even though it beats the Soundboks 2 on features.
Buy the Soundboks 2 if you specifically need XLR inputs and maximum outdoor SPL and can live with a discontinued, unrefined-sounding unit.
Buy the 330 for the more current, feature-complete party speaker with active manufacturer support.
One note: the Soundboks 2 is discontinued and no longer widely available new. The Soundboks 2’s replacement, the Soundboks 4, is still sold new.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Soundboks 2 is rated for 40 hours, the JBL Partybox 330 only 18 hours.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Partybox 330 is rated at IPX4 (splashing), well ahead of the Soundboks 2 at no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings and PA & Live Sound rankings.
A rolling party speaker with deep bass, a removable battery, a light show and inputs for mics and a guitar.
A loud outdoor party speaker with two 10 inch woofers, a removable 40 hour battery, and mic and guitar inputs.
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 330 | Soundboks 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $629.95 | $449 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #2 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #13 of 17 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 3.5 hours |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” (165mm) woofers + 2x 1” (25mm) PEN dome tweeters | 2x 10” woofers, 1” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ mode) | No |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes |
| Inputs | Optical | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 37.7 lbs (17.1 kg) | 33.1 lbs (15 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 280W | 216W (3x 72W) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 26.1”H x 13.1”W x 14.8”D (662.5 x 334 x 375 mm) | 25.6” x 17” x 13” (650.2 x 431.8 x 330.2 mm) |
| Strap | No | - |
| Passive | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 124dB |
| XLR Input | - | Yes (2x combo) |
| Configuration | - | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | - | Poplar plywood |
| DSP | - | No |
| Rigging | - | 35mm pole mount socket |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Partybox 330: