Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 on measured sound quality, the W-King H10 on price. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 ranks #5 of 73 boombox speakers at $239. The W-King H10 ranks #52 at $215, $24 cheaper.
What the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 offers: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. A little less rolled off in the highs than the first Encore. Goes slightly deeper than the old Encore. Better battery life than the first Encore. Watch for: Missing a little bit of upper bass. No wireless Microphones like the non-Essential
What the W-King H10 offers: Comes with wireless microphone. Loud. Watch for: Not very deep bass. Boosted upper bass. Upper midrange dips. Distorts above medium volumes. No water rating.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the W-King H10 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the W-King H10 is rated for 24 hours, the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 only 15 hours.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | W-King H10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.00 | $215 |
| Ranked | #5 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #52 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (multiple modes) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg | 7.1 lbs / 3.2 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | No | Yes 2 Included |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 120W RMS |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 13.5" x 10.3" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 14.5" x 9.9" (368.3 x 251.7 mm) (incomplete) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters | 1x 5.25" (133mm) subwoofer + 2x 31mm midrange drivers + 2x 3" (76mm) tweeters |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 115dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 54Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 150ms |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Earfun Uboom X vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Soundcore Rave
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs W-King D10
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs W-King X20
- Zealot S89 vs W-King H10
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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: $239.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. A little less rolled off in the highs than the first Encore. Goes slightly deeper than the old Encore. Better battery life than the first Encore.
Cons: Missing a little bit of upper bass. No wireless Microphones like the non-Essential
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| 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
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- 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 Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- See all 46 comparisons
W-King H10: $215 Amazon eBay
Pros: Comes with wireless microphone. Loud.
Cons: Not very deep bass. Boosted upper bass. Upper midrange dips. Distorts above medium volumes. No water rating.
Full W-King H10 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 150ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 14.5" x 9.9" (368.3 x 251.7 mm) (incomplete) |
| Drivers | 1x 5.25" (133mm) subwoofer + 2x 31mm midrange drivers + 2x 3" (76mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 115dB |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 120W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs / 3.2 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King H10 speaker and karaoke machine review! get yer earplugs ready 👀 More from alanrossreviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Reddit Search for W-King H10 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons