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 #3 of 13 large party speakers, the 520 ranks #8, and the Ultimate costs $1,020 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 (25.5 kg) against the Ultimate’s 86 lbs (39 kg), 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.
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 520 | JBL Partybox Ultimate | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $879.95 | $1,899.95 |
| Ranked | #8 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #3 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Strap | No | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Partybox Ultimate: