Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential on measured sound quality, the Soundcore Motion Boom+ on price. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential ranks #7 of 73 boombox speakers at $329.95. The Soundcore Motion Boom+ ranks #47 at $140, $189.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Partybox Encore Essential offers: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker. Watch for: Only 6 hours of battery at medium volume. Poor Water rating.
What the Soundcore Motion Boom+ offers: 80W stereo from dual 30W woofers + dual 10W tweeters with titanium drivers for treble clarity. 13,400mAh battery for 20 hours (12-15 at high volume). IP67 waterproof, floats, rugged build inspires confidence. Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint pairing, Soundcore app EQ, PartyCast 2.0 mode. USB-C input, USB-A output for powerbank. Watch for: Default presets are all warm sounding with rolled off treble. Will need a custom EQ to get closer to neutral. A shrill sounding 6khz peak comes out when volume is above about 60%. Not much deeper bass than a Motion Boom and a lot less deep bass than other speakers in the class.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Motion Boom+ if the price matters more than sound quality.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Soundcore Motion Boom+ is rated for 20 hours, the JBL Partybox Encore Essential only 6 hours.
If water resistance matters to you, the Soundcore Motion Boom+ at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox Encore Essential at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential | Soundcore Motion Boom+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.95 | $140 after $40 coupon, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #47 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes (Soundcore app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | 52Hz |
| 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) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | 33ms |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 80W |
| Dimensions | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 15.1" x 5.1" x 7.7" (384 x 130 x 196 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | 30W: Dual drivers |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 108dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs ZZA K8
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Zealot S89
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs Turtlebox
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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
Pros: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker.
Cons: Only 6 hours of battery at medium volume. Poor Water rating.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| 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
- 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
- Reddit Search for JBL Partybox Encore Essential Review
- 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 JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- See all 46 comparisons
Soundcore Motion Boom+: $140 after $40 coupon, Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: 80W stereo from dual 30W woofers + dual 10W tweeters with titanium drivers for treble clarity. 13,400mAh battery for 20 hours (12-15 at high volume). IP67 waterproof, floats, rugged build inspires confidence. Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint pairing, Soundcore app EQ, PartyCast 2.0 mode. USB-C input, USB-A output for powerbank.
Cons: Default presets are all warm sounding with rolled off treble. Will need a custom EQ to get closer to neutral. A shrill sounding 6khz peak comes out when volume is above about 60%. Not much deeper bass than a Motion Boom and a lot less deep bass than other speakers in the class. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Motion Boom+ review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Soundcore app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.1" x 5.1" x 7.7" (384 x 130 x 196 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 30W: Dual drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 108dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Soundcore Motion Boom Plus & Earfun UBoom X - sound test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Soundcore Motion Boom Plus or W King D10? 🤪 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast Review vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus - cheap bass!
- DLX Willington: Tough Game! Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus Binaural sound samples More from DLXWillington →
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Motion Boom+ Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs JBL Boombox
- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs Sony SRS-XG500
- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs W-King H10
- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs W-King D10
- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs Turtlebox Grande
- See all 47 comparisons