Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks #6 of 76 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $259. The onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox ranks #35, rated 3.4/5, at $199, $60 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2: 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 tradeoff: 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.
Why pick the onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox: High rated power for the price at 180W RMS (540W peak). The tradeoff: Bass not as deep as higher ranked speakers like the JBL Boombox 3, JBL Boombox 4, or Tribit Stormbox Blast.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $60 with the onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
If water resistance matters to you, the onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox at IP67 (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 Pro X Large Boom Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.00 | $199.00 |
| Ranked | #6 of 76 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #35 of 76 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (Bass Boost) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 180W RMS (540W peak) |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 20.1” x 10.3” x 9” (510 x 261 x 228 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 5 speakers |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Removable Battery | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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 On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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 Essential 2: $259.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential (rated 4.2/5).
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 |
| Strap | No |
| 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 JBL Partybox Encore Essential
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- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
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onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox: $199.00 Walmart eBay
Pros: High rated power for the price at 180W RMS (540W peak). IP67 waterproof design for indoor and outdoor use. 20 hour battery life. 6 LED lighting modes. Party Mode supports multiple devices.
Cons: Bass not as deep as higher ranked speakers like the JBL Boombox 3, JBL Boombox 4, or Tribit Stormbox Blast. Frequency response isn’t as smooth as the top ranked speakers. Charges via AC cable rather than USB-C. Only available in the United States and Canada.
Full onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 180W RMS (540W peak) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20.1” x 10.3” x 9” (510 x 261 x 228 mm) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 5 speakers |
| EQ | Yes (Bass Boost) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox vs Teufel Boomster 2021
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