Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore. It ranks #6 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $230; the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi ranks #20 and costs $389.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Partybox Encore offers: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker. 2 included wireless microphones. The catch: Only 10 hours of battery at medium volume. Poor water rating.
The case for the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi: Loudest speaker in the category. Slightly better frequency response than the non-wifi version. The tradeoff: Bass boosted. Dip at 160hz.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi is rated for 24 hours versus 6 hours for the JBL Partybox Encore.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox Encore at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore | JBL Boombox 3 Wifi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 | $389.95 |
| Ranked | #6 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #20 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | 43Hz |
| 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 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 111dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs / 6.3 kg | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 200W AC / 140W battery |
| Dimensions | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 19.1" x 10.1" x 7.9" (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
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- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Encore: $230 Walmart
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical!
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: outdoors
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: indoors
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade
- Alan Ross Reviews: This changed my opinion on JBL speakers!
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample.
- True Techy: BOSE S1 Pro vs JBLPartybox ENCORE This Comparison SHOCKED me!!!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT Boombox vs. JBL Partybox Encore Party Speaker.🛜 How Low Can You Go?😲
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tronsmart Halo 200 vs JBL Partybox Encore 🔊 Sound Check & Wireless Microphone test 🔋 Battery Powered
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: ONN Large Party Speaker Gen 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore 🛻 Tailgater Special 🔋 Battery Powered
- Dominik Reviews: Soundcore Rave 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore - Quick Sound Test! 🤗
- Reddit Search for JBL Partybox Encore Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Aiwa Exos-9
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun Uboom X
- See all 24 comparisons
JBL Boombox 3 Wifi: $389.95 Amazon
Pros: Loudest speaker in the category. Slightly better frequency response than the non-wifi version.
Cons: Bass boosted. Dip at 160hz
Full JBL Boombox 3 Wifi review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 10.1" x 7.9" (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 111dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 200W AC / 140W battery |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 WiFi - Sound Test - Wide vs Narrow Soundstage!
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Encore 2 Partybox Deep Bass 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi 🎶
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3🧐 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi
- Reddit Search for JBL Boombox 3 Wifi Review
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- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Boombox 4
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