Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It ranks #8 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.2/5) at $329.95 and is still sold new; the Bumpboxx Flare 8 ranks #72 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The JBL Partybox Encore Essential is the better-sounding, lighter option. At 13 lbs (5.9 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Bumpboxx Flare 8 at 19 lbs (8.62 kg). It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the Bumpboxx Flare 8 cannot.
The Bumpboxx Flare 8 is the longer-running, tougher pick. A retro-styled, 19 lbs (8.6 kg) party speaker with useful real-world features: IPX6 splash resistance, FM radio, USB and microSD playback, aux input, TWS pairing and a claimed 118dB maximum output. It is rated for 12 hours of battery against 6 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It is rated IPX6 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. The catch: Bass is thuddy rather than deep or controlled, and there is no app to improve the tuning.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Bumpboxx Flare 8 is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential | Bumpboxx Flare 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.95 | $400 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #8 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #72 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) | 19 lbs (8.62 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 200W |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 28” x 8” x 16” (711 x 203 x 406 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | 8” woofer + tweeters |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 118dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox Encore Essential:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Encore Essential: $329.95 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5.
Pros: JBL Partybox Encore Essential uses 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters. Its 5.9 kg, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 110dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 38Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical! More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample. More from DLXWillington →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Klipsch Gig XXL vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential (Pee-Wee) - Indoors, Plugged In🔌 Bluetooth Speakers
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Aiwa Exos-9
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Vifa Copenhagen 2.0
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- See all 80 comparisons
Bumpboxx Flare 8: $400 Discontinued Bumpboxx eBay
Newer model: the Bumpboxx Flare8 Pro, ranked higher, estimated 2.8/5.
Pros: A retro-styled, 8.6kg party speaker with useful real-world features: IPX6 splash resistance, FM radio, USB and microSD playback, aux input, TWS pairing and a claimed 118dB maximum output. It can play much louder than compact Bluetooth speakers and is easy to aim at a small outdoor gathering.
Cons: Bass is thuddy rather than deep or controlled, and there is no app to improve the tuning. Owner reports also raise reliability concerns, including noisy or intermittent volume controls and sound cutting out at high volume. It is a fun-looking niche product, not a sound-quality or durability leader. Discontinued.
Full Bumpboxx Flare 8 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 28” x 8” x 16” (711 x 203 x 406 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| FM Tuner | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 118dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 19 lbs (8.62 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bumpboxx Flare 8 vs Turtlebox Grande
- Bumpboxx Flare 8 vs Bumpboxx Flare 6
- Bumpboxx Flare 8 vs EcoXGear Defender
- Bumpboxx Flare 8 vs Marshall Tufton
- Bumpboxx Flare 8 vs Braven XXL 2
- Bumpboxx Flare 8 vs JBL Boombox
- Bumpboxx Flare 8 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Bumpboxx Flare 8 vs Turtlebox Gen 3
- See all 36 comparisons