Short answer: the Partybox Ultimate for the best possible sound, the Partybox 520 if you need it to run without a wall outlet. The Ultimate ranks #2 of 12 large party speakers, the 520 ranks #7, and the Ultimate costs $1100 more.
The difference here is really about the tradeoff JBL made for bass. Our notes call the Ultimate’s bass the absolute deepest of any Bluetooth speaker, built around dual 9” subwoofers plus 4.5” midranges and 2.75” tweeters at 1100W total output. To get there, JBL cut the battery entirely: the Ultimate runs on AC power only. The 520 uses smaller dual 7.5” woofers at 400W and trades some bass depth for a 15 hour battery and a removable pack, making it the more genuinely portable option despite the “portable” branding both carry.
Both are already very large and heavy, per our notes on each, but the gap is real: the 520 weighs 56.2 lbs against the Ultimate’s 86 lbs, and the Ultimate is noticeably taller and deeper as well.
What the Ultimate adds beyond bass: Wifi connectivity, which the 520 lacks, and what our notes call a very nice lightshow versus the 520’s simpler lightshow ability.
Everything else matches: both have wheels and a handle, an app, aux and guitar inputs, karaoke-mode microphone input with echo, USB playback, and Auracast party mode.
Buy the Partybox 520 if you need a battery for outdoor or backyard use, or if the Ultimate’s price and weight are dealbreakers.
Buy the Partybox Ultimate if you’re setting up somewhere with AC power and want the deepest bass and loudest output JBL makes, and don’t need to move it far.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 520 | JBL Partybox Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.95 | $1,899.95 |
| Ranked | #7 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #2 of 12 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | Yes (3 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-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 56.2 lbs (25.5 kg) | 86 lbs (39 kg) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 16.3" x 30.3" x 14.5" (415 x 769 x 369 mm) | 17.9" x 41.3" x 17.3" (455 x 1049 x 440 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 7.5" woofer, 2x 1" dome tweeter | 2x 9" subwoofer, 2x 4.5" midrange, 2x 2.75" tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 400W | 1100W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox 720 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- JBL Partybox 710 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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: $799.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: JBL’s biggest battery-powered PartyBox 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.
Full JBL Partybox 520 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 400W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.3" x 30.3" x 14.5" (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 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 56.2 lbs (25.5 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 & 720 - indoor listening session More from Oluv’Sone →
- 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 More from GYMCADDY →
- AudioTribe: JBL Partybox 720 vs JBL Partybox 520 Who’s Better?
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 520 vs Teufel Rockster
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- JBL Partybox 520 vs JBL Partybox 720
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- JBL Partybox 520 vs Sony ULT Tower 10
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- JBL Partybox 520 vs JBL Partybox 1000
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- See all 15 comparisons
JBL Partybox Ultimate: $1,899.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A true large-venue party speaker: its 1,100W system, dual 9-inch woofers and six-driver array produce exceptionally deep, authoritative bass and very high clean output. Independent reviews praise its unusually clear, articulate sound at extreme levels. Wi-Fi streaming, app EQ, inputs for two mics/guitar, USB playback, Auracast, a polished light show and wheels make it unusually complete for karaoke and DJ-style use.
Cons: At 39kg and more than a metre tall, this is not casually portable despite the wheels. It needs AC power, has no battery and only IPX4 splash resistance. Reviews also note that its bass-heavy presentation can obscure fine detail and overwhelm a small room; its size and cost only make sense for very large spaces or frequent events.
Full JBL Partybox Ultimate review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1100W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.9" x 41.3" x 17.3" (455 x 1049 x 440 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 9" subwoofer, 2x 4.5" midrange, 2x 2.75" tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 86 lbs (39 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox Ultimate Vs SOUNDBOKS 4 & Sony XV900 - Is It Worth It? More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox Ultimate Vs Partybox 710 - They’re Both Crazy, But There Is A Clear Winner
- Flossy Carter: JBL PartyBox Ultimate VS JBL PartyBox 1000 - Which Speaker is The BEST? More from FlossyCarter →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox 720 Vs JBL Partybox Ultimate
- GYMCADDY: Sony ULT Tower 10 Vs JBL Partybox Ultimate & JBL Partybox 710
- M1MTechChannel: Vorsicht LAUT ⚠️ | Teufel Rockster 2 vs JBL Partybox 720 / Ultimate More from M1MTechChannel →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026
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