These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Partybox Encore ranks #7 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality at $230; the Soundcore Rave 3 ranks #20 of 46 party speakers by sound quality at $349.99.
The JBL Partybox Encore is the lighter option. A great sounding party speaker with somewhat boosted bass and two included wireless microphones. At 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Soundcore Rave 3 at 19.8 lbs (9 kg). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Soundcore Rave 3. The catch: Only IPX4 splash resistance.
The Soundcore Rave 3 is the longer-running pick. 2 AA battery Wireless Microphones and remote control included. It is rated for 12 hours of battery against 6 for the JBL Partybox Encore. The tradeoff: Some upper bass and upper mids boost.
One note: the JBL Partybox Encore is no longer sold new, but at #7 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality it still outranks most current models, so used is worth considering. The JBL Partybox Encore’s replacement, the JBL Partybox Encore 2, is rated 4.4/5 at $330.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore at $230 for a boombox speaker, or the Soundcore Rave 3 at $349.99 for a party speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore | Soundcore Rave 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 Discontinued | $349.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #20 of 46 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | Yes 2 Included |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 160W |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 11.1” x 21.7” x 12” (283 x 550 x 306 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 6.5” (165mm) woofer + 3x 2.5” (63mm) full-range drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3 160W 🧐🆚 JBL Encore Partybox
- Dominik Reviews: Soundcore Rave 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore - Quick Sound Test! 🤗
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 10, 2026 at 5:37 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 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
- 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 →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3 160W 🧐🆚 JBL Encore Partybox More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart Halo 200 partybox and karaoke machine (vs bang max, JBL Encore)
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Encore Vs Gemini GRV-650L!!! 😁 More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Jbl Encore!!! 😁😁😁
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Encore Vs Gemini GGO-650L 😁 80$ vs 400$
- 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
Soundcore Rave 3: $349.99 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Soundcore Rave 3S, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5, released Mar 2025. It drops stereo pairing.
Older model: the Soundcore Rave (ranked lower, rated 2.3/5). See every Soundcore Rave generation.
Pros: 2 AA battery Wireless Microphones and remote control included. AI voice removal feature for Karaoke. TWS pairing lets you link a second Rave 3 for true stereo sound.
Cons: Some upper bass and upper mids boost. Not as deep of bass as a JBL Partybox 110/120. Discontinued and superseded by the Soundcore Rave 3S, which offers more power (200W vs 160W) in the same footprint.
Full Soundcore Rave 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.1” x 21.7” x 12” (283 x 550 x 306 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6.5” (165mm) woofer + 3x 2.5” (63mm) full-range drivers |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3 160W 🧐🆚 JBL Encore Partybox More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Dominik Reviews: Soundcore Rave 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore - Quick Sound Test! 🤗 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3🧐 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore RAVE 3 🤗v🆚s W- KING X20🎶
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3 🤗v🆚s Tribit Stormbox Blast 2👌🎶
- Head-to-Head Comparisons