JBL Partybox Encore vs Boombox 4: Which Is Better? (2026)

Q: Should I buy the JBL Partybox Encore or the JBL Boombox 4?

Buy the JBL Boombox 4 new; the JBL Partybox Encore is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.

Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore on value, unless you need the Boombox 4’s output. The Boombox 4 delivers pretty insane output capability for its size but is called pretty overpriced for the category at $549.95 against $230, a $319.95 gap. The Encore ranks #7 of 90 against #20 of 90 and offers a great sounding, somewhat boosted bass party speaker, held back by only 10 hours of battery at medium volume.

Buy the JBL Boombox 4 new; the JBL Partybox Encore is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.

Water resistance is not close: the JBL Boombox 4 is rated at IP68 (extended submersion), well ahead of the JBL Partybox Encore at IPX4 (splashing).

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Buy the JBL Boombox 4 at Amazon ($549.95) →Buy the JBL Partybox Encore at Walmart ($230) →

Specifications Side By Side

	JBL Partybox Encore	JBL Boombox 4
Price	$230 Discontinued	$549.95
Ranked	#7 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers	#20 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
App	Yes (JBL PartyBox app)	Yes
Aux Input	Yes	No
Aux Latency	17ms	-
Bass Extension (-10dB)	38Hz	41Hz
Battery Life	6 hours (Manufacturer specified)	28 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC	SBC, LC3, AAC
Built-in Microphone	No	No
EQ	Yes (3 band App EQ)	Yes (7 band)
IP Rating	IPX4	IP68
Bluetooth Latency	100ms	AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms
Maximum SPL	110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)	115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Party Mode	Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)	Yes (Auracast)
Power Bank	Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A)	Yes (USB-C, up to 30W)
Power Input	AC Power cord	AC Power cord
Stereo	Yes	Yes
Omnidirectional	No	No
TWS	Yes	Yes
USB Playback	Yes	No
Weight	13.9 lbs (6.3 kg)	13.2 lbs (5.98 kg)
Wireless Microphones	Yes 2 Included	-
Bluetooth Version	5.1	5.4
Amplifier Power	100W RMS	210W AC / 200W battery
Dimensions	10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm)	20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm)
Drivers	135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters	2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators
Digital Aux Input	No	Yes (USB-C)
Removable Battery	-	Yes
FM Tuner	-	No
Microphone Input	-	No
MicroSD Playback	-	No
Strap	-	No

Buy the JBL Boombox 4 at Amazon ($549.95) →Buy the JBL Partybox Encore at Walmart ($230) →

More top alternatives to JBL Partybox Encore:

Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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: $230 Discontinued Walmart eBay

Newer model: the JBL Partybox Encore 2, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5.

Pros: JBL Partybox Encore uses 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters. Its 6.3 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. A great sounding party speaker with somewhat boosted bass and two included wireless microphones. Measured bass extension of 38Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification. Only IPX4 splash resistance. Discontinued.

Full JBL Partybox Encore 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 20mm 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/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

Check current price at Walmart ($230) →Search eBay for JBL Partybox Encore →

JBL Boombox 4: $549.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

Older models: the JBL Boombox 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5), the JBL Boombox 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5).

Pros: Pretty insane output capability for the size. IP68 protection and Auracast pairing with other current JBL speakers. Measured bass extension of 41Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Pretty overpriced for the category. Better than the Boombox 3 mostly because there are more 7 EQ bands instead of just 3 and it can be better tuned. Try Oluv’s EQ for it. Out of the box sounds worse than the Boombox 3. No Aux input.

Full JBL Boombox 4 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power	210W AC / 200W battery
App	Yes
Aux Input	No
Bass Extension (-10dB)	41Hz
Battery Life	28 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC, LC3, AAC
Bluetooth Latency	AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms
Bluetooth Version	5.4
Built-in Microphone	No
Digital Aux Input	Yes (USB-C)
Dimensions	20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm)
Drivers	2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators
EQ	Yes (7 band)
FM Tuner	No
IP Rating	IP68
Maximum SPL	115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
MicroSD Playback	No
Microphone Input	No
Omnidirectional	No
Party Mode	Yes (Auracast)
Power Bank	Yes (USB-C, up to 30W)
Power Input	AC Power cord
Removable Battery	Yes
Stereo	Yes
Strap	No
TWS	Yes
USB Playback	No
Weight	13.2 lbs (5.98 kg)

Check current price at Amazon ($549.95) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for JBL Boombox 4 →

Specifications Side By Side

Related Speaker Comparisons

The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Partybox Encore: $230 Discontinued Walmart eBay

JBL Boombox 4: $549.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay