Short answer: the Partybox Encore, and the rating gap says it plainly. It’s rated 4.3 and ranks #6 of 71 boombox speakers at $230. The Rave is rated 2.3 and ranks #39 of 45 party speakers at $220, ten dollars less.
The Rave’s feature list is genuinely long: AI-assisted karaoke that removes vocals in real time, eight lighting modes, and a claimed 24-hour battery. None of it compensates for what our notes call a pretty big lack of deep bass and rolled-off treble.
The Encore keeps it simpler and measures better for it. Our notes call it great sounding with somewhat boosted bass, and it includes two wireless microphones of its own, covering the same karaoke use case without the gimmicks. Its own weak point is a shorter battery and a modest IPX4 water rating.
Buy the Partybox Encore. It’s rated and ranked well above the Rave for less money.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore | Soundcore Rave | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 | $220 |
| Ranked | #6 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #39 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | ~60Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Max Volume | 110dB | - |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs / 6.3 kg | 21.6 lbs / 9.8 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | - |
| Dimensions | 10.87" x 12.87" x 11.54" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | - |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 60W: Multiple drivers + passive radiators |
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.
| 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 |
| Dimensions | 10.87" x 12.87" x 11.54" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs / 6.3 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
- 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! 🤗
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Soundcore Rave: $220 Soundcore
Pros: 20,000mAh battery for 24-hour claimed playtime. Booming bass and crisp vocals with colorful LED light show. IPX4 waterproof design for poolside/beach/outdoor use. AI-assisted karaoke removes vocals in real-time via Soundcore app. Wireless microphones included, eight preset lighting modes. Can link multiple speakers together. Long battery life, fun light patterns synced to music.
Cons: Pretty big lack of deep bass, treble rolled off
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Drivers | 60W: Multiple drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 21.6 lbs / 9.8 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.