Short answer: the Partybox Encore, and the ranking gap is large. It ranks #6 of 71 boombox speakers at $230; the Halo 200 ranks #49 at $140, $90 less.
The Halo 200’s feature list covers dynamic lighting and SoundPulse technology meant to reduce distortion, plus stereo pairing and broadcast mode for up to 100 speakers. Our notes describe the sound itself as not as deep in bass as the top of the class, with a wavy frequency response best corrected with its Bass EQ mode.
The Encore is described as great sounding with somewhat boosted bass, and it includes two wireless microphones of its own, its main weakness being a shorter battery and a poor water rating.
Buy the Partybox Encore for the meaningfully better measured sound. Buy the Halo 200 if the $90 saved matters more to you.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore | Tronsmart Halo 200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 | $140 |
| Ranked | #6 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #49 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | 16ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | 160ms |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 110dB |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs / 6.3 kg | 13.4 lbs / 6.1 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 120W |
| Dimensions | 10.87" x 12.87" x 11.54" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 386mm x 282mm x 266mm |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 5.7" (145mm) woofer + 2x 2.24" (57mm) mid-tweeters + 1x 1.22" (31mm) tweeter |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
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
Tronsmart Halo 200: $140 Amazon
Pros: 15,000mAh battery rated 18 hours; charges in 3.5 hours. Three-way speaker system with dynamic lighting. SoundPulse tech reduces distortion. Stereo pairing and broadcast mode (100 speakers).
Cons: Not as deep bass as some of the top ranked. Use Bass EQ for most neutral sound. Wavy frequency response.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 16ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 386mm x 282mm x 266mm |
| Drivers | 1x 5.7" (145mm) woofer + 2x 2.24" (57mm) mid-tweeters + 1x 1.22" (31mm) tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 120W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.4 lbs / 6.1 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.