Short answer: the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus. It ranks #5 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5) at $349.95 and is still sold new; the JBL Partybox Encore ranks #7 (rated 4.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus is the longer-running pick. Well balanced with strong vocals, and its front-firing bass ports give it cleaner, smoother bass than other PartyBoxes, so even the Punchy bass boost setting never overpowers the vocals. It is rated for 15 hours of battery against 6 for the JBL Partybox Encore. Watch for: The bass has less kick and physical impact than the Encore 2 or PartyBox Club 120, and the Club 120 gets noticeably louder.
What the JBL Partybox Encore does well: JBL Partybox Encore uses 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters. The catch: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification.
Buy the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Partybox Encore is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus | JBL Partybox Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $230 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #7 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL One app) | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, Deep and Punchy bass boost) | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 11V/2A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.2 lbs (6.45 kg) | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included | Yes 2 Included |
| Microphone Input | No (wireless only) | - |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3 | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 100W RMS |
| Dimensions | 19.7” x 10.2” x 8.7” (501 x 258 x 221 mm) | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Aiwa Exos-9
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 On-The-Go 2 Plus: $349.95 Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox On the Go (ranked lower, rated 3/5).
Pros: Well balanced with strong vocals, and its front-firing bass ports give it cleaner, smoother bass than other PartyBoxes, so even the Punchy bass boost setting never overpowers the vocals. It gets a touch louder than the PartyBox Encore 2. EasySing AI vocal removal strips vocals from any song on the speaker itself, with 25%, 50% or 100% removal, and the included rechargeable wireless mic has a tight pickup pattern that rejects handling noise. A removable 34Wh battery shared with the Encore 2 and PartyBox 120, a claimed 15 hours, a padded shoulder strap, USB-C playback and charging, a 3.5mm aux input, Auracast and a light show.
Cons: The bass has less kick and physical impact than the Encore 2 or PartyBox Club 120, and the Club 120 gets noticeably louder. There is no wired microphone or guitar input, so more mics means buying JBL’s EasySing mics separately, and AI vocal removal is disabled while the speaker is linked to other speakers over Auracast. Real world battery life is closer to 7 hours at 80% volume with lights and bass boost on. IPX4 only covers splashes, the grille dents easily, and the battery must be installed for it to run even when plugged in.
Full JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL One app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 19.7” x 10.2” x 8.7” (501 x 258 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, Deep and Punchy bass boost) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | No (wireless only) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 11V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 14.2 lbs (6.45 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Aiwa Exos-9
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
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JBL Partybox Encore: $230 Discontinued Walmart eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox Encore 2, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5.
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 →
| 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!!!
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- Dominik Reviews: Soundcore Rave 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore - Quick Sound Test! 🤗 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
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- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- See all 64 comparisons