Short answer: the 720 if the extra size and cost are trivial to you, the 520 if they aren’t. These rank #6 and #8 out of 13 large-party speakers, at $1,099.95 and $879.95, the two biggest battery-powered speakers JBL currently makes.
The 720 is described in our own notes as the biggest, best-sounding battery-powered JBL. Size alone isn’t the differentiator, sound quality is. That’s what the two ranking places and $220 are buying.
Both share the same real weaknesses. Neither speaker’s Auracast pairing works with non-JBL gear, and both are described as somewhat dark by default. The 720’s notes specifically flag needing a treble boost to sound neutral, and the 520 likely benefits from the same correction given the shared platform.
The physical difference is real and worth planning around. The 720 is 31 kg (68.3 lbs) against the 520’s 25.5 kg (56.2 lbs), a 5.5 kg (12.1 lbs) gap that matters if you’re loading this in and out of a car regularly rather than leaving it stationary. Battery life is identical at 15 hours on both.
Buy the 520 if you want JBL’s largeparty flagship experience without the heaviest option, and $220 back. Buy the 720 if the sound quality gap is worth the extra size and cost to you. Both are stationary party equipment either way, so the weight difference matters most during setup and transport, not use.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A loud battery party speaker with deep bass, wheels, a capable app EQ, and inputs for mics and instruments.
A very powerful battery party speaker, with very loud output, strong bass and two removable batteries.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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 520 | JBL Partybox 720 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $879.95 | $1,099.95 |
| Ranked | #8 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #6 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | Yes (5 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 56.2 lbs (25.5 kg) | 68.3 lbs (31 kg) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 16.3” x 30.3” x 14.5” (415 x 769 x 369 mm) | 16.4” x 37.1” x 16” (416 x 942 x 406 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 7.5” woofer, 2x 1” dome tweeter | 2x 9” woofer, 2x 1.25” dome tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 400W | 800W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs JBL Partybox 520
- AudioTribe: JBL Partybox 720 vs JBL Partybox 520 Who’s Better?
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 vs 720 - outdoor test
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