Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 3 for better sound quality, the onn Portable FM Boombox for the lower price. The JBL Xtreme 3 ranks #18 of 77 large speakers at $269.95. The onn Portable FM Boombox ranks #23 at $74.83, $195.12 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Xtreme 3: better treble and deeper bass than the Xtreme 2, and more balanced overall than the newer Xtreme 4. The catch: boosted bass, and still not as deep or as balanced as the very top speakers in the class.
What the onn Portable FM Boombox gets right: extremely good value, IPX7 waterproof (it floats), FM radio with 10 presets, 6 multicolor LED effects, and it runs on battery or corded power. Set against that: our own notes point to this exact Xtreme 3 as one of a few speakers with deeper bass, and there’s no custom EQ to close the gap.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the onn Portable FM Boombox if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 3 | onn Portable FM Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.95 | $74.83 |
| Ranked | #18 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms | - |
| Max Volume | 105dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Sync, pairs with 1 other onn. speaker) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.83 kg | 4.9 lbs / 2.22 kg |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | - |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.4" x 5.3" (298 x 136 x 134 mm) | 13.8" x 5.9" x 7.7" (350 x 149 x 195 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 2 speakers |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 100W | 25W RMS (100W peak) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes (10 presets) |
| Removable Battery | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | No |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Xtreme 3: $269.95 Amazon
Pros: Better treble and deeper bass than the Xtreme 2. More balanced sounding than the Xtreme 4
Cons: Boosted bass. Not as deep bass as better speakers. Not as balanced as better speakers.
Full JBL Xtreme 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.4" x 5.3" (298 x 136 x 134 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 105dB |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.83 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA - Unboxing.📦 Short Test vs Xtreme 4
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony XB43 - boombox champ?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom vs JBL Xtreme 3 LG PN7 & Minirig mk3 💯👍
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs JBL Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1 - review and sound test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus vs JBL Xtreme 3 - Extreme review!
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal.
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XG300 Vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X10 vs JBL Xtreme 3, Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1! Xtreme Review 🤓
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More…
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs JBL Xtreme 3 Sound Test 😍 Best upgrade in the history? 😂
- Audio Inside Scoop: Klipsch Detroit VS JBL Xtreme 3 Hear With Me!!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Xtreme 3 Vs Sony XG300 - Its Not Even Close
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion Boom vs Rave Neo - Boombox Battle!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Ortizan M8🦨 Bluetooth Speaker. Is This The Budget JBL Xtreme 3 Killer? Better Than Zealot S67?
- Danny Pops: It’s shaped like a Football - JBL Xtreme 3 Review vs Marshall Tufton and Flips Party Mode
- Reddit Search for JBL Xtreme 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
onn Portable FM Boombox: $74.83 Walmart
Pros: Extremely good value. Reasonably deep bass, though not as deep as something like the JBL Xtreme 3, Soundcore Boom 2, or Tribit Stormbox Lava. IPX7 waterproof and floats. FM radio with 10 presets. 6 multicolor LED lighting effects. Can run on battery or corded power.
Cons: Reasonable frequency response, but not quite as smooth as some of the top-ranked speakers in this size. No custom EQ.
Full onn Portable FM Boombox review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.8" x 5.9" x 7.7" (350 x 149 x 195 mm) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 2 speakers |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes (10 presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Output Power | 25W RMS (100W peak) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Sync, pairs with 1 other onn. speaker) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.22 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons