Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential if sound quality matters most, the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 if price matters most. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential ranks #7 of 75 boombox speakers at $299.95. The Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 ranks #45 at $90, $209.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Partybox Encore Essential offers: 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. Watch for: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification.
What the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 offers: Under $100 with LED lights synced to music. Simple controls, solid Bluetooth range. Mic input for karaoke/emcee. Built-in FM radio with 16 presets. Aux port. Watch for: Lacking detail compared to the Onn Large Party Gen 2 and not as deep of bass. Only available in the United States and Canada.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 is rated for 20 hours, the JBL Partybox Encore Essential only 6 hours.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 at IPX7 (brief submersion) against the JBL Partybox Encore Essential, which has IPX4 (splashing).
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential | Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $90 |
| Ranked | #7 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #45 of 75 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) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Sync Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
| Dimensions | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 9.6" x 10.9" x 15.1" (244.1 x 277.9 x 383 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | 8" (203mm) woofer + tweeters |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes (16 presets) |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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: $299.95 Amazon eBay
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 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 |
| 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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Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2: $90 Walmart eBay
Pros: Under $100 with LED lights synced to music. Simple controls, solid Bluetooth range. Mic input for karaoke/emcee. Built-in FM radio with 16 presets. Aux port.
Cons: Lacking detail compared to the Onn Large Party Gen 2 and not as deep of bass. Only available in the United States and Canada.
Full Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.6" x 10.9" x 15.1" (244.1 x 277.9 x 383 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes (16 presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Sync Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: ONN Large Party Speaker Gen 2 vs Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 🤜🤛A Family Feud🔌Plugged In Bass Boost On More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs ONN Medium Party Speaker Gen. 2 😬(Both Bass Boost On🔉) The Price is Right?🤑
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