Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore 2. It ranks #4 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5) at $330 and is still sold new; the JBL Boombox 2 ranks #43 (rated 3.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Boombox 2’s replacement, the JBL Boombox 4, is rated 4.0/5 at $549.95.
The JBL Partybox Encore 2 is the better-sounding pick. The Encore 2 improves the original with dome tweeters, a less boomy balance, slightly deeper bass, longer battery life and two included wireless microphones. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Boombox 2 lacks. The tradeoff: It still lacks some upper-bass punch and cannot match the scale of the larger PartyBoxes.
The JBL Boombox 2 is the longer-running, tougher choice. 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 15 for the JBL Partybox Encore 2. It is rated IPX7 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox Encore 2. Watch for: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Boombox 2 is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore 2 | JBL Boombox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $330 | $449.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #4 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #43 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power brick |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 160W |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) | 19.1” x 7.9” x 10.1” (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | 46Hz |
| Aux Latency | - | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 140ms |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Partybox Encore 2:
- EarFun Uboom X vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 Encore 2: $330 Sam’s Club $330 eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox Encore (ranked lower, rated 4.3/5). See every JBL PartyBox Encore generation.
Same family: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 (larger model, ranked lower, rated 4.3/5).
Pros: The Encore 2 improves the original with dome tweeters, a less boomy balance, slightly deeper bass, longer battery life and two included wireless microphones. Its compact karaoke-ready design and 7-band EQ make it more adaptable indoors than the earlier Encore. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-10dB).
Cons: It still lacks some upper-bass punch and cannot match the scale of the larger PartyBoxes. The main value is compact karaoke convenience rather than full-range party output.
Full JBL Partybox Encore 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Partybox Encore 2 - outdoor loudness & basstest More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical! More from alanrossreviews →
- M1M Tech Channel: Partybox Killer? 2x Earfun UBoom X stärker als JBL Encore 2 ? More from M1MTechChannel →
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 WiFi - Sound Test - Wide vs Narrow Soundstage! More from Dominik Reviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Partybox ENCORE 2👌FULL TEST🆚 JBL Partybox ENCORE 1 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Jbl Partybox Encore 2 📦UNBOXING. Short TEST AUDIO z ENCORE 1👌
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Encore 2 Partybox Deep Bass 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi 🎶
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox On The Go 2 Vs JBL Partybox Encore 2 More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Mix Vs JBL Partybox 120
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
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- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore
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JBL Boombox 2: $449.99 Discontinued Amazon $449.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025.
Older model: the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5). See every JBL Boombox generation.
Pros: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. IPX7 rated. Doubles as a power bank. Bluetooth 5.1 with PartyBoost (up to 100 speakers). Reaches 101dB. Measured bass extension of 46Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 140ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1” x 7.9” x 10.1” (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 review vs JBL Boombox 2 a subwoofer and a 3 way equals heaven? 💋 More from alanrossreviews →
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- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 bass monster or the mature Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini for bass?? 💥
- Mateusz Cholewa: 2 x 🔊Teufel Boomster 2021🎵 vs JBL Boombox 2 AC🔌 Power Test Audio🎧. More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- YARNZO Tech: Outdoor sound test between zealot s98 and jbl boombox2 👂🎧🔊 More from YARNZO Tech →
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons