Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It ranks #8 of 89 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $329.95. The onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox ranks #43, rated 3.4/5, at $199, $130.95 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the JBL Partybox Encore Essential: JBL Partybox Encore Essential uses 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters. The tradeoff: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification.
The case for the onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox: High rated power for the price at 180W RMS (540W peak). The tradeoff: Bass not as deep as higher ranked speakers like the JBL Boombox 3, JBL Boombox 4, or Tribit Stormbox Blast.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $130.95 saving on the onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox is not enough to make up the difference.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox is rated for 20 hours, the JBL Partybox Encore Essential only 6 hours.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox at IP67 (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 Pro X Large Boom Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.95 | $199.00 |
| Ranked | #8 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #43 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | Yes (Bass Boost) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.4 (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 180W RMS (540W peak) |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 20.1” x 10.3” x 9” (510 x 261 x 228 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | 5 speakers |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Removable Battery | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to 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 September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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 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 76 comparisons
onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox: $199.00 Walmart eBay
Pros: High rated power for the price at 180W RMS (540W peak). IP67 waterproof design for indoor and outdoor use. 20 hour battery life. 6 LED lighting modes. Party Mode supports multiple devices.
Cons: Bass not as deep as higher ranked speakers like the JBL Boombox 3, JBL Boombox 4, or Tribit Stormbox Blast. Frequency response isn’t as smooth as the top ranked speakers. Charges via AC cable rather than USB-C. Only available in the United States and Canada.
Full onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 180W RMS (540W peak) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20.1” x 10.3” x 9” (510 x 261 x 228 mm) |
| Drivers | 5 speakers |
| EQ | Yes (Bass Boost) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox vs Teufel Boomster 2021
- onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox vs JBL Authentics 300
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- onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox vs Zealot S95
- onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox vs LG Xboom Stage 301
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- onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- See all 27 comparisons