Short answer: the Encore Essential if sound quality matters most, the Stage 301 if price and battery life matter most. The Encore Essential ranks #8 of 90 boombox speakers, the Stage 301 ranks #33, and the Encore Essential costs $99.96 more.
The Encore Essential’s sound is the reason to pay more. Our notes call it a great sounding, somewhat boosted bass party speaker, though it comes with two real compromises: only about 6 hours of battery at medium volume, and what our notes bluntly call a poor water rating despite carrying the same IPX4 rating on paper as the Stage 301.
The Stage 301 leans into its karaoke wedge design rather than pure sound quality. Its shape works as a karaoke hub with a removable, replaceable battery, and it can stand in multiple positions with AI audio optimization tied to its Dual-Bar lighting. Our notes are direct about the tradeoff, though: it’s overpriced for what it is, and its frequency response isn’t the greatest.
Battery life clearly favors the Stage 301: 12 hours against the Encore Essential’s 6, and its battery is removable and replaceable where the Encore Essential’s is not, a meaningful edge for anyone running it through a full party.
Everything else is close: both offer an app with EQ, party mode (PartyBoost on the Encore Essential, Auracast on the Stage 301), and are within a pound of each other in weight.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential if sound quality is your top priority and you can keep it near an outlet or plan around the shorter battery.
Buy the LG Xboom Stage 301 if you want a swappable battery and a karaoke-friendly wedge shape for less money, and can live with weaker frequency response.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential | LG Xboom Stage 301 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.95 | $229.99 |
| Ranked | #8 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #33 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes (LG Xboom app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 120W |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 8.7” x 3.1” x 3.5” (220 x 80 x 90 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | 6.5” woofer + dual 2.5” midrange drivers (Peerless) |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Partybox Encore Essential compares with other leading options:
- 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 3, 2026 at 10:26 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: $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
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- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- See all 76 comparisons
LG Xboom Stage 301: $229.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Wedge-style design works as a karaoke hub with removable/replaceable battery. Multiple standing positions. AI audio optimization via Dual-Bar lighting. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).
Cons: overpriced for what it is. Not the greatest frequency response.
Full LG Xboom Stage 301 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 120W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (LG Xboom app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.1” x 3.5” (220 x 80 x 90 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” woofer + dual 2.5” midrange drivers (Peerless) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs Zealot S95!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs W-king X20!!!
- Mike O’Brien: What Did LG Just Launch? (NEW will.i.am x LG xboom Speakers)
- GYMCADDY: LG’s New xboom Speaker And Earbud Lineup Explained - Meet The Stage 301, Bounce, Grab And Buds! More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- See all 56 comparisons