Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks #6 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $219 and is still sold new; the Soundcore Motion Boom+ ranks #68 (rated 2.9/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Soundcore Motion Boom+’s replacement, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus, is rated 3.6/5 at $179.99.
The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A compact 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) 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. Its bass reaches about 42Hz before falling 10dB, against 52Hz for the Soundcore Motion Boom+. 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.
The Soundcore Motion Boom+ is the longer-running, lighter pick. 80W stereo from dual 30W woofers + dual 10W tweeters with titanium drivers for treble clarity. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 15 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. At 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg). It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. The catch: Default presets are all warm sounding with rolled off treble.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Soundcore Motion Boom+ is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | Soundcore Motion Boom+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.00 | $122.42 after $40 coupon, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #6 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #68 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes (Soundcore app) |
| 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) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 80W |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 15.1” x 5.1” x 7.7” (384 x 130 x 196 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 30W: Dual drivers |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | 52Hz |
| Aux Latency | - | 17ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 33ms |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus 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 Essential 2: $219.00 Amazon $219.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential (ranked lower, rated 4.2/5). See every JBL PartyBox Encore generation.
Same family: the JBL Partybox Encore 2 (smaller model, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5).
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. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-10dB).
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 JBL Partybox Encore 2.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 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 13.5” 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical! More from alanrossreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Encore Essential 2 Vs W-king X20s!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Encore Essential 2!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerhouse Bass!!!
- KULAS TECH SHOW: JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 - Unbox, Sound test🔥💥 More from KULASTECHSHOW20 →
- MARIO GOMEZ MG: Tronsmart Halo 210 vs. JBL Encore Essential 2 SOUND TESTS
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Soundcore Motion Boom+: $122.42 after $40 coupon Discontinued Amazon $122.42 eBay
Newer model: the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5, released May 2024. It adds built-in mic and AAC. See every Soundcore Boom generation.
Pros: 80W stereo from dual 30W woofers + dual 10W tweeters with titanium drivers for treble clarity. 13,400mAh battery for 20 hours (12-15 at high volume). IP67 waterproof, floats, rugged build inspires confidence. Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint pairing, Soundcore app EQ, PartyCast 2.0 mode. USB-C input, USB-A output for powerbank. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Default presets are all warm sounding with rolled off treble. Will need a custom EQ to get closer to neutral. A shrill sounding 6kHz peak comes out when volume is above about 60%. Not much deeper bass than a Soundcore Motion Boom and a lot less deep bass than other speakers in the class. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Motion Boom+ review and specifications →
| Released | May 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
| App | Yes (Soundcore app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.1” x 5.1” x 7.7” (384 x 130 x 196 mm) |
| Drivers | 30W: Dual drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Soundcore Motion Boom Plus & Earfun UBoom X - sound test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast Review vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus - cheap bass! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus vs JBL Xtreme 3 - Extreme review!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom Plus or Soundcore Rave Neo (Trance Go) - best Soundcore speaker??
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom Plus vs Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini - party vs HiFi
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Soundcore Motion Boom Plus or W King D10? 🤪
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or two Motion Boom Pluses for best cheap boombox?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review - worst boombox speaker under $400?
- DLX Willington: Tough Game! Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus Binaural sound samples More from DLXWillington →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: NEW RELEASE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Motion Boom Plus🤯Stock EQ, Bass^ Enabled🤜🤛 A Family Feud😆 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
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