Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 on measured sound quality, the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 on price. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 ranks #5 of 75 boombox speakers at $239. The Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 ranks #45 at $90, $149 cheaper.
Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2, rated 4.3 against the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2’s 3.1. 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. The Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 offers under $100 with LED lights synced to music.
Choose the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 for a compact 6.2kg party speaker with 100W output: 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. It costs more too, at $239.00 against $90.
Choose the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 for under $100 with LED lights synced to music: Watch for: lacking detail compared to the Onn Large Party Gen 2 and not as deep of bass. It’s also the cheaper of the two, at $90 against $239.00.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If water resistance matters to you, the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.00 | $90 |
| Ranked | #5 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #45 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | No |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Sync Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 13.5" x 10.3" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 9.6" x 10.9" x 15.1" (244.1 x 277.9 x 383 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters | 8" (203mm) woofer + tweeters |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes (16 presets) |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2:
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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
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Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2: $90 Walmart eBay
Pros: Under $100 with LED lights synced to music. Simple controls, solid Bluetooth range. Mic input for karaoke/emcee. Built-in FM radio with 16 presets. Aux port.
Cons: Lacking detail compared to the Onn Large Party Gen 2 and not as deep of bass. Only available in the United States and Canada.
Full Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.6" x 10.9" x 15.1" (244.1 x 277.9 x 383 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes (16 presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Sync Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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