Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It ranks #8 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $329.95. The W-King X10 ranks #86, rated 2.3/5, at $80, $249.95 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Partybox Encore Essential is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Its bass reaches about 38Hz before falling 10dB, against 52Hz for the W-King X10. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 110dB at full volume, against 106dB for the W-King X10. It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the W-King X10 cannot.
The W-King X10 is the longer-running, lighter choice. It is rated for 42 hours of battery against 6 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. At 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Partybox Encore Essential at 13 lbs (5.9 kg). It is rated IPX6 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. The catch: Heavily rolled off treble, less bass than the top ranked.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $249.95 saving on the W-King X10 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential | W-King X10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.95 | $80 |
| Ranked | #8 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #86 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 42 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | Yes (2 modes - Indoor/Outdoor) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| 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) | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 70W RMS (120W peak) |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 12.4” x 5.5” x 5.3” (315 x 140 x 135 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | 2x 3.66” (93mm) subwoofers + 2x 1.2” (31mm) neodymium tweeters + 3x passive radiators |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
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 October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 $329.95 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5, released Feb 2025. Battery life goes from 6 to 15 hours. See every JBL PartyBox Encore generation.
Same family: the JBL Partybox Encore (smaller model, 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 →
| Released | Apr 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 →
- DLX Willington: Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Encore Essential Sound Battle
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Klipsch Gig XXL vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential (Pee-Wee) - Indoors, Plugged In🔌 Bluetooth Speakers More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- YouTube: Klipsch Gig Xl vs JBL Encore Essential
- 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 81 comparisons
W-King X10: $80 Amazon $80 AliExpress $80.37 eBay
Pros: 70W RMS output with 120W peak power, exceptional 42-hour battery life, power bank function, IPX6 waterproof, 106dB max volume, EQ with indoor/outdoor modes, dual woofers with tweeters and passive radiators, Bluetooth 5.0 with 100ft range, MicroSD and USB playback, AUX input, TWS stereo pairing. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Heavily rolled off treble, less bass than the top ranked.
Full W-King X10 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS (120W peak) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 42 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.4” x 5.5” x 5.3” (315 x 140 x 135 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3.66” (93mm) subwoofers + 2x 1.2” (31mm) neodymium tweeters + 3x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (2 modes - Indoor/Outdoor) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X10 (70w) vs Soundcore Motion Boom (30w) - value for money? 🤑 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: W King x10 vs x10-1 - updates, changes, also D9 and Motion Boom!
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D10 speaker vs the D8, D9 and X10 WKing speakers 👀
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X10 vs JBL Xtreme 3, Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1! Xtreme Review 🤓
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: ZEALOT S-67 🦨 75w Bluetooth Speaker Review🤦🏼♂️ & Comparison With W-King X10. More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons