Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks #6 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $219. The W-King X10-1 ranks #84, rated 2.4/5, at $139.99, $79.01 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. 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 63Hz for the W-King X10-1. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the W-King X10-1 cannot. 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.
The W-King X10-1 is the longer-running, lighter option. It is rated for 42 hours of battery against 15 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. At 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg). It is rated IPX6 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. The catch: Rolled off treble, not much bass.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $79.01 saving on the W-King X10-1 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | W-King X10-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.00 | $139.99 |
| Ranked | #6 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #84 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 42 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (2 modes - Indoor/Outdoor) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Microphone Input | 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) | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 70W RMS (120W peak) |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 12.4” x 5.5” x 5.3” (315 x 140 x 135 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 2x 3.66” (93mm) subwoofers + 2x 1.2” (31mm) neodymium tweeters + 3x passive radiators |
| 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 shoulder strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | 63Hz |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 compares with other leading options:
- 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 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
- 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 Aiwa Exos-9
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs EarFun Uboom X
- See all 98 comparisons
W-King X10-1: $139.99 Amazon $139.99 AliExpress eBay
Pros: 70W RMS output with 120W peak power, 108dB max volume, exceptional 42-hour battery life with power bank, IPX6 waterproof, Bluetooth 5.0 with 100ft range, EQ with indoor/outdoor modes, dual subwoofers with tweeters and passive radiators, TWS stereo pairing, MicroSD and USB playback, AUX input, built-in microphone. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Rolled off treble, not much bass.
Full W-King X10-1 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2021 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS (120W peak) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 42 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.4” x 5.5” x 5.3” (315 x 140 x 135 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3.66” (93mm) subwoofers + 2x 1.2” (31mm) neodymium tweeters + 3x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (2 modes - Indoor/Outdoor) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons