Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks #6 of 89 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5); the Teufel Boomster 4 ranks #44 (rated 3.4/5).
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.
The case for the Teufel Boomster 4: Warmer and more open than the Boomster 2021 it replaces, with nicer, less harsh highs, a wide stereo image from its three-way layout (two 20mm tweeters, two 65mm midrange drivers and a 110mm woofer with passive radiators) and good detail. Watch for: Side by side with the Boomster 2021 the sound barely changed, and it has a little less deep bass.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Teufel Boomster 4.
Battery life favors the Teufel Boomster 4: rated for 23 hours against 15 hours for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | Teufel Boomster 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.00 | €249.99 |
| Ranked | #6 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #44 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 23 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (treble control) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 8.3 lbs (3.75 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | aptX HD, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 42W RMS |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 7.1”H x 14.6”W x 5.8”D (180 x 370 x 148 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x 65mm midrange drivers + 1x 110mm (4.3”) woofer, passive bass radiators |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes (plus DAB+) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for 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 30, 2026 at 2:57 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 B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential (ranked lower, 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 | 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Earfun Uboom X
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
- See all 94 comparisons
Teufel Boomster 4: €249.99 Teufel eBay
Older models: the Teufel Boomster 2021 (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5) and the Teufel Boomster NG (2017) (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5).
Pros: Warmer and more open than the Boomster 2021 it replaces, with nicer, less harsh highs, a wide stereo image from its three-way layout (two 20mm tweeters, two 65mm midrange drivers and a 110mm woofer with passive radiators) and good detail. Its new treble control and remote let you tame the top end. DAB+ and FM radio, a claimed 23 hours of battery at medium volume, IPX5, Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC and aptX HD, multipoint, an aux input, USB-C charging and stereo pairing.
Cons: Side by side with the Boomster 2021 the sound barely changed, and it has a little less deep bass. Against the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 it sounds sharper and thinner, with weaker bass and a less natural stereo image, and its bass drops off at full volume. At 3.75 kg it is heavy for its size, it has no power bank output, and IPX5 is a step down from the older model’s IPX7.
Full Teufel Boomster 4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 42W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 23 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 7.1”H x 14.6”W x 5.8”D (180 x 370 x 148 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x 65mm midrange drivers + 1x 110mm (4.3”) woofer, passive bass radiators |
| EQ | Yes (treble control) |
| FM Tuner | Yes (plus DAB+) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 8.3 lbs (3.75 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Mateusz Cholewa: Nowy TEUFEL Boomster 4 UNBOXING vs Boomster 3 Review in subtitles More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Mateusz Cholewa: TEUFEL Boomster 4 vs HK Go Plus Play 3 & Opinion in Subtitles
- Dominik Reviews: Teufel BOOMSTER 4 vs BOOMSTER 2021 - No difference? Sound Battle! More from Dominik Reviews →
- Dominik Reviews: Teufel BOOMSTER 4 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - Not great for the size? Sound Test
- Dominik Reviews: Teufel BOOMSTER 4 vs Earfun UBOOM X - BASS!! - Sound Test
- Dominik Reviews: Teufel BOOMSTER 4 vs Bugani Brief Pro - Cheaper and Better! Sound Test
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- See all 26 comparisons