Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks #5 of 75 boombox speakers by sound quality at $239; the B&O Beolit 20 ranks #33 and costs $599.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 offers: A compact 6.2kg party speaker with 100W output, 110dB maximum level, a 15-hour claimed battery, app-based 7-band EQ, dynamic lighting, USB playback, guitar and mic inputs, and Auracast linking. Independent testing finds a balanced midrange, genuinely punchy low bass and enough output for a backyard gathering; its dome tweeters also improve the earlier Encore’s high-frequency behavior. Watch for: It is front-facing, so the sound changes noticeably to the sides and behind it, and bass compression reduces kick-drum impact at maximum volume. Bluetooth latency can cause lip-sync issues, its IPX4 rating only covers splashes, and it omits the wireless microphones bundled with the non-Essential Encore 2.
What the B&O Beolit 20 offers: B&O Beolit 20 uses 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators. Its 2.7 kg, claimed 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Watch for: Bass is limited by its 45Hz specification.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the B&O Beolit 20 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 is rated for 15 hours versus 8 hours for the B&O Beolit 20.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | B&O Beolit 20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.00 | $599.99 |
| Ranked | #5 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #33 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 240W peak |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 13.5" x 10.3" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 5.3" x 9.1" x 7.4" (135 x 230 x 189 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 93dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 45Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2:
- Earfun Uboom X vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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 Essential 2: $239.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A compact 6.2kg party speaker with 100W output, 110dB maximum level, a 15-hour claimed battery, app-based 7-band EQ, dynamic lighting, USB playback, guitar and mic inputs, and Auracast linking. Independent testing finds a balanced midrange, genuinely punchy low bass and enough output for a backyard gathering; its dome tweeters also improve the earlier Encore’s high-frequency behavior.
Cons: It is front-facing, so the sound changes noticeably to the sides and behind it, and bass compression reduces kick-drum impact at maximum volume. Bluetooth latency can cause lip-sync issues, its IPX4 rating only covers splashes, and it omits the wireless microphones bundled with the non-Essential Encore 2.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| 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 | 12.6" x 13.5" x 10.3" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore
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- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
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B&O Beolit 20: $599.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: B&O Beolit 20 uses 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators. Its 2.7 kg, claimed 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 45Hz specification.
Full B&O Beolit 20 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 240W peak |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.3" x 9.1" x 7.4" (135 x 230 x 189 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: B&O Beolit 20 vs Earfun UBoom X - everything fake? More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: $600 premium Bluetooth speaker vs $115 cheapo UBoom X
- techkiste.net: B&O Beolit 20 vs Vifa Copenhagen 2.0 sound-comparison with different music-genres
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beolit 20 - frequency response measurements
- Head-to-Head Comparisons