Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore. It ranks #6 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $230; the JBL Boombox 2 ranks #29 and costs $499.95, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the JBL Partybox Encore offers: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker. 2 included wireless microphones. Watch for: Only 10 hours of battery at medium volume. Poor water rating.
What the JBL Boombox 2 offers: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. IPX7 rated. Doubles as a power bank. Bluetooth 5.1 with PartyBoost (up to 100 speakers). Reaches 101dB. Watch for: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox 2 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the JBL Boombox 2 is rated for 24 hours, the JBL Partybox Encore only 6 hours.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Boombox 2 at IPX7 (brief submersion) against the JBL Partybox Encore, which has IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore | JBL Boombox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 | $499.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #6 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 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 | 140ms |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 108dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs / 6.3 kg | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 160W |
| Dimensions | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 19.1" x 7.9" x 10.1" (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
Other pairings from the same speaker class worth checking:
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs JBL Authentics 300
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Boombox 2
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: $230 Walmart eBay
Pros: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker. 2 included wireless microphones.
Cons: Only 10 hours of battery at medium volume. Poor water rating.
Full JBL Partybox Encore 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 20mm 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/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs / 6.3 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical! More from alanrossreviews →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: outdoors More from Oluv’Sone →
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JBL Boombox 2: $499.95 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. IPX7 rated. Doubles as a power bank. Bluetooth 5.1 with PartyBoost (up to 100 speakers). Reaches 101dB.
Cons: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 140ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 7.9" x 10.1" (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 108dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 160W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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