JBL Partybox 520 vs JBL Partybox 300

Last updated: October 5, 2026

These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The JBL Partybox 520 ranks #8 of 13 large party speakers by sound quality at $879.95; the JBL Partybox 300 ranks #10 of 44 party speakers by sound quality at $300.

JBL Partybox 520 vs JBL Partybox 300

The JBL Partybox 520 is the tougher choice. JBL’s biggest battery-powered PartyBox after the 720 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. It is rated IPX4, while the JBL Partybox 300 has no water resistance. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the JBL Partybox 300 cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Partybox 300 lacks. Watch for: 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 JBL Partybox 300 is the lighter choice. Exceptional sound quality with crisp, crystal clear highs and midranges, hard punchy bass without muddiness. At 35.3 lbs (16 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Partybox 520 at 56.2 lbs (25.5 kg). Watch for: Hard to carry, too tall, drags on the ground.

One note: the JBL Partybox 300 is discontinued, but it still ranks #10 of 44 party speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.

Buy the JBL Partybox 520 at $879.95 for a large party speaker, or the JBL Partybox 300 at $300 for a party speaker instead.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Partybox 520 JBL Partybox 300
Price$879.95$300 Discontinued
Ranked#8 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#10 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesNo
Aux InputYesYes
Battery Life15 hours (Manufacturer specified)18 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC
EQYes (5 band)No
Guitar InputYesYes
IP RatingIPX4None
Microphone InputYes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)
Party ModeYes (Auracast)No
Power BankYes (USB-C)Yes (USB-A)
Power InputAC Power cordAC Power cord
Removable BatteryYes-
TWSYesYes
USB PlaybackYesYes
Weight56.2 lbs (25.5 kg)35.3 lbs (16 kg)
Built-in MicrophoneNo-
StereoYesYes (lying down)
OmnidirectionalNoNo
Wi-FiNo-
Bluetooth Version5.44.2
Dimensions16.3” x 30.3” x 14.5” (415 x 769 x 369 mm)27” x 13” x 12.7” (685.8 x 330.2 x 322.6 mm)
Drivers2x 7.5” woofer, 2x 1” dome tweeter2x 6.5” (165mm) woofers + 3x 2.25” (57mm) tweeters
Amplifier Power400W120W
Digital Aux InputNoNo
LightsYesYes
WheelsYes-
StrapNoNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)-40Hz
Frequency Response-45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)

More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox 300:

Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 520: $879.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Partybox 520 ranking card

Pros: JBL’s biggest battery-powered PartyBox after the 720 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.

Amplifier Power400W
AppYes
Aux InputYes
Battery Life15 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.4
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions16.3” x 30.3” x 14.5” (415 x 769 x 369 mm)
Drivers2x 7.5” woofer, 2x 1” dome tweeter
EQYes (5 band)
Guitar InputYes
IP RatingIPX4
LightsYes
Microphone InputYes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C)
Power InputAC Power cord
Removable BatteryYes
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight56.2 lbs (25.5 kg)
WheelsYes
Wi-FiNo

JBL Partybox 300: $300 Discontinued eBay

JBL Partybox 300 ranking card

Newer model: the JBL Partybox 330, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5.

Pros: Exceptional sound quality with crisp, crystal clear highs and midranges, hard punchy bass without muddiness. 2x 6.5” woofers + 3x 2.25” tweeters, bass boost function, 45Hz-20kHz frequency range. 18-hour battery with 10400mAh capacity. Multiple inputs (RCA, USB, 3.5mm aux, mic, guitar). LED light modes (meter/pulse/party). True Wireless Stereo pairing up to 2 units. Measured bass extension of 40Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Hard to carry, too tall, drags on the ground. Max spl and bass extension are only as good as the Partybox 100. No real reason to ever get one, get a Partybox 100 instead. Discontinued.

Amplifier Power120W
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)40Hz
Battery Life18 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version4.2
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions27” x 13” x 12.7” (685.8 x 330.2 x 322.6 mm)
Drivers2x 6.5” (165mm) woofers + 3x 2.25” (57mm) tweeters
EQNo
Frequency Response45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Guitar InputYes
IP RatingNone
LightsYes
Microphone InputYes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankYes (USB-A)
Power InputAC Power cord
StereoYes (lying down)
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight35.3 lbs (16 kg)
FeaturedJBL Partybox 520Amazon • $879.95
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