Short answer: the 720 if the extra size and cost are trivial to you, the 520 if they aren’t. These rank #3 and #5 out of 10 large-party speakers, at $899.95 and $799.95 - 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, which is a real distinction from the 520’s “biggest battery-powered JBL” framing - size alone isn’t the differentiator, sound quality is. That’s what the two ranking places and $100 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 against the 520’s 25.5 kg, a 5.5 kg 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 $100 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.
Last updated: August 08, 2026
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 520 | JBL Partybox 720 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.95 | $899.95 |
| Ranked | #5 of 10 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #3 of 10 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 Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | Yes (5 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Wifi | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 16.34" x 30.28" x 14.53" (415 x 769 x 369 mm) | 16.38" x 37.1" x 16.0" (416 x 942 x 406 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 7.5" woofer, 2x 1" dome tweeter | 2x 9" woofer, 2x 1.25" dome tweeter |
| Output Power | 400W | 800W |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox 520: $799.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Lightshow ability. The biggest battery powered JBL currently.
Cons: Very large and heavy. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 16.34" x 30.28" x 14.53" (415 x 769 x 369 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 7.5" woofer, 2x 1" dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 400W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 56.2 lbs / 25.5 kg |
| Wifi | No |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 & 720 - indoor listening session
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 vs 720 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 320 vs 520 - indoor listening session
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 320 vs 520 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 vs Teufel Rockster Neo
- Oluv Patreon: W-King T12 vs JBL Partybox 520
- AudioTribe: JBL PartyBox 520 Loudness & BASS Test Will Shock You!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs JBL Partybox 520
- AudioTribe: JBL Partybox 720 vs JBL Partybox 520 Who’s Better?
- Links
JBL Partybox 720: $899.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Biggest best sounding speaker with a battery. Handle and wheels are convenient. Lightshow ability.
Cons: Very large and heavy. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal. Somewhat dark sounding by default, needs some treble boost to sound neutral
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 16.38" x 37.1" x 16.0" (416 x 942 x 406 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 9" woofer, 2x 1.25" dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 800W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 68.3 lbs / 31 kg |
| Wifi | No |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 720 - indoor EQ
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 & 720 - indoor listening session
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 vs 720 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 720 - first impressions
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 720 vs Teufel Rockster Neo - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 720 vs Marshall Bromley 750 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 720 - first impressions
- Oluv Patreon: Sony ULT Tower 9 vs JBL Partybox 720 - indoor listening test
- Oluv Patreon: Sony ULT Tower 9 vs JBL Partybox 720 - power generator test
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs JBL Partybox 520
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Review
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs Sony ULT Tower 9
- AudioTribe: JBL Partybox 720 vs JBL Partybox 520 Who’s Better?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 7, 2026 at 5:43 AM UTC 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.