Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the JBL Partybox Encore is the better pick: it ranks #7 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5), against #67 (rated 2.9/5) for the JBL Boombox. If you want one new, the JBL Partybox Encore 2 replaces the JBL Partybox Encore and is rated 4.4/5 at $330.
The JBL Partybox Encore is the better-sounding option. A great sounding party speaker with somewhat boosted bass and two included wireless microphones. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Boombox lacks. The catch: Only IPX4 splash resistance.
The JBL Boombox is the longer-running pick. Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx5 protection and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 6 for the JBL Partybox Encore. Watch for: Treble is not very smooth.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2, which replaces the JBL Partybox Encore.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore | JBL Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 Discontinued | $399 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 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 | - |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox Encore:
- EarFun Uboom X vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Encore: $230 Discontinued Walmart $230 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox Encore 2, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5, released Apr 2025. Battery life goes from 6 to 15 hours. See every JBL PartyBox Encore generation.
Same family: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential (larger model, ranked lower, rated 4.2/5).
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 →
| Released | Jul 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 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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: outdoors More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: indoors
- Alan Ross Reviews: This changed my opinion on JBL speakers! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart Halo 200 partybox and karaoke machine (vs bang max, JBL Encore)
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical!
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade More from M1MTechChannel →
- Dominik Reviews: Soundcore Rave 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore - Quick Sound Test! 🤗 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3 160W 🧐🆚 JBL Encore Partybox More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample. More from DLXWillington →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT Boombox vs. JBL Partybox Encore Party Speaker.🛜 How Low Can You Go?😲 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- 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
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Encore Vs Gemini GRV-650L!!! 😁 More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Encore Vs Gemini GGO-650L 😁 80$ vs 400$
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Jbl Encore!!! 😁😁😁
- True Techy: BOSE S1 Pro vs JBLPartybox ENCORE This Comparison SHOCKED me!!!
- 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 On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- See all 70 comparisons
JBL Boombox: $399 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025. See every JBL Boombox generation.
Pros: At 5.2 kg, JBL Boombox combines 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators with Bluetooth and aux. Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx5 protection and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. JBL Connect+ links up to 100 compatible speakers.
Cons: There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Treble is not very smooth. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- JBL Boombox vs Sony SRS-XG500
- JBL Boombox vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- JBL Boombox vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
- JBL Boombox vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- JBL Boombox vs Tronsmart Halo 200
- JBL Boombox vs Sony ULT Field 7
- JBL Boombox vs W-King H10
- See all 61 comparisons