Short answer: it depends on whether you need a battery. The JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 runs only on mains power, while the JBL Partybox 520 has a battery rated for 15 hours. The JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 ranks higher on sound quality (#7 vs #8 of 13 large party speakers, 4.7/5 vs 4.6/5). Get the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 if it will always be plugged in, or the JBL Partybox 520 if you want to play away from an outlet.
What the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 does well: A 1500W RMS system (up from the original Ultimate’s 1100W) driving dual 264mm subwoofers, dual 124mm mid-range drivers and dual 30mm horn-loaded PEN tweeters, with manufacturer-rated extension to 28Hz (-6dB) from a 1.05m-tall cabinet. It streams over Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth, which the JBL Partybox 520 cannot. The catch: AC-only: there is no battery, so it needs mains power wherever it goes.
The JBL Partybox 520 is the battery-powered, lighter choice. JBL’s biggest battery-powered PartyBox after the 720 combines very high output, deep chesty bass, wheels and a telescoping handle with a capable app EQ, lights, USB-C audio and mic/instrument inputs. Its battery is rated for 15 hours, while the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 needs an outlet. At 56.2 lbs (25.5 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 at 105.1 lbs (47.68 kg). Watch for: It is very large and heavy, Bluetooth latency is high for video, and its front-facing design loses much of the mids and treble to people off to the sides.
Buy the JBL Partybox 520 if you need to play away from an outlet. Buy the JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 if it will always be plugged in.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 | JBL Partybox 520 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,399.00 Upcoming | $879.95 |
| Ranked | #7 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #8 of 13 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 1500W RMS | 400W |
| App | JBL One | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 18.4” x 41.4” x 19.4” (466.7 x 1052.5 x 493.3 mm) | 16.3” x 30.3” x 14.5” (415 x 769 x 369 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 264mm subwoofer, 2x 124mm mid-range, 2x 30mm horn-loaded tweeter | 2x 7.5” woofer, 2x 1” dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ Mode) | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (EasySing AI vocal removal) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C PD, up to 20V/1.5A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 105.1 lbs (47.68 kg) | 56.2 lbs (25.5 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox Ultimate 2:
- Sony ULT Tower Max vs JBL Partybox Ultimate 2
- JBL Partybox Ultimate vs JBL Partybox Ultimate 2
- JBL Partybox 1000 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate 2
- JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 vs Teufel Rockster 2
- JBL Partybox 720 vs JBL Partybox Ultimate 2
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 Ultimate 2: £1,399.00 Upcoming Estimated Peter Tyson
Older model: the JBL Partybox Ultimate (ranked higher, rated 4.7/5).
Pros: A 1500W RMS system (up from the original Ultimate’s 1100W) driving dual 264mm subwoofers, dual 124mm mid-range drivers and dual 30mm horn-loaded PEN tweeters, with manufacturer-rated extension to 28Hz (-6dB) from a 1.05m-tall cabinet. Wi-Fi streaming with AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect sits alongside Bluetooth 5.3 and Auracast multi-speaker linking. Inputs cover an XLR line-in, mic, guitar, aux, optical and USB-C playback, and karaoke gets AI vocal removal. JBL One app control, a full-panel light show with floor projection, and wheels plus a handle for its 47.68kg. IPX4 splash resistance.
Cons: AC-only: there is no battery, so it needs mains power wherever it goes. At 47.68kg and just over a metre tall it is still a two-person lift despite the wheels, and 47.68kg is heavier than the 39kg model it replaces. IPX4 only shrugs off splashes, not rain or dust. No independent measurements have been published yet, so its real output and sound quality can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Not yet sold in the US.
Full JBL Partybox Ultimate 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1500W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | JBL One |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.4” x 41.4” x 19.4” (466.7 x 1052.5 x 493.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 264mm subwoofer, 2x 124mm mid-range, 2x 30mm horn-loaded tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ Mode) |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (EasySing AI vocal removal) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C PD, up to 20V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 105.1 lbs (47.68 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
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JBL Partybox 520: $879.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: JBL’s biggest battery-powered PartyBox after the 720 combines very high output, deep chesty bass, wheels and a telescoping handle with a capable app EQ, lights, USB-C audio and mic/instrument inputs. RTINGS finds it loud enough for backyards and unusually well-equipped for a battery party speaker.
Cons: It is very large and heavy, Bluetooth latency is high for video, and its front-facing design loses much of the mids and treble to people off to the sides. The bass-heavy default can also make dialogue less clear without EQ.
Full JBL Partybox 520 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 400W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.3” x 30.3” x 14.5” (415 x 769 x 369 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 7.5” woofer, 2x 1” dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 56.2 lbs (25.5 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Partybox 520 & 720 - indoor listening session More from Oluv’Sone →
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