Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore. It ranks #6 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $230; the JBL Boombox ranks #46 and costs $399, 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. Watch for: Only 10 hours of battery at medium volume. Poor water rating.
What the JBL Boombox offers: Connect+ up to 100 speakers. Watch for: Treble isn’t very smooth
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the JBL Boombox is rated for 24 hours, the JBL Partybox Encore only 6 hours.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore | JBL Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 | $399 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #6 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #46 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 | - |
| 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 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Max Volume | 110dB | - |
| 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 | - |
| Output 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 |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Authentics 300
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore
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 →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: indoors
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade More from M1MTechChannel →
- Alan Ross Reviews: This changed my opinion on JBL speakers!
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample. More from DLXWillington →
- 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?😲 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
- Dominik Reviews: Soundcore Rave 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore - Quick Sound Test! 🤗 More from Dominik Reviews →
- 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 48 comparisons
JBL Boombox: $399 Discontinued JBL Boombox eBay
Pros: Connect+ up to 100 speakers.
Cons: Treble isn’t very smooth. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| 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