Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore 2. Both are rated 4.4/5 for sound quality (#4 and #5 of 113 boombox speakers), and the JBL Partybox Encore 2 costs $330 against $349.95 for the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
Side by side they sound similar, with strong vocals and the same layout of one 5.25 inch woofer and two dome tweeters. The difference is the bass. The Encore 2’s rear port gives it more kick and physical impact, and it gets even more from a wall behind it. The On-The-Go 2 Plus fires its ports forward, so its bass is smoother and cleaner and never overpowers the vocals, even on the Punchy bass setting.
Volume is almost even. The On-The-Go 2 Plus gets louder by a small margin.
Karaoke setups differ. The Encore 2 includes two wireless mics. The On-The-Go 2 Plus includes one, adds EasySing AI vocal removal, and has no wired mic or guitar input, so a second singer needs JBL’s separate EasySing mics.
Carrying: the On-The-Go 2 Plus comes with a padded shoulder strap. Both weigh about 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg), share the same removable 34Wh battery, claim 15 hours, and are IPX4 with Auracast and lights.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $19.95 less than the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus.
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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore 2 | JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $330 | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #4 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #5 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes (JBL One app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (app EQ, Deep and Punchy bass boost) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C, 11V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) | 14.2 lbs (6.45 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | Yes 1 Included |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 100W RMS |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) | 19.7” x 10.2” x 8.7” (501 x 258 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | - |
| Microphone Input | - | No (wireless only) |
| Guitar Input | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) |
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