Short answer: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi if sound quality matters most, the Skullcandy Barrel if price matters most. The JBL Boombox 3 Wifi ranks #22 of 75 boombox speakers at $389.95. The Skullcandy Barrel ranks #41 at $159, $230.95 cheaper.
What the Skullcandy Barrel offers: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. 12 hour battery life. Bass Boost mode. Multi-Link feature connects up to 99 speakers. Doubles as phone charger. Watch for: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers. Not as loud as the top ranked speakers. Rolled off treble.
What the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi offers: Loudest speaker in the category. Slightly better frequency response than the non-wifi version. Watch for: Bass boosted. Dip at 160hz
Buy the Skullcandy Barrel if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Skullcandy Barrel | JBL Boombox 3 Wifi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.00 | $389.95 |
| Ranked | #41 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #22 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | 43Hz |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) | No |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | 200W AC / 140W battery |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 22.1" x 9.6" (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) | 19.1" x 10.1" x 7.9" (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Battery Life | - | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cable |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Boombox 3 Wifi compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom X vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Skullcandy Barrel: $159.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. 12 hour battery life. Bass Boost mode. Multi-Link feature connects up to 99 speakers. Doubles as phone charger. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers. Not as loud as the top ranked speakers. Rolled off treble.
Full Skullcandy Barrel review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 22.1" x 9.6" (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat Match 🔺 SkullCandy Barrel XT, Tribit Blast & Tronsmart Bang Max 📛 Bluetooth Boombox 🔋 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- 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: Skullcandy Barrel XT Bluetooth Boombox Speaker 📦 Unboxing, First Look & 🔉 Sound Demo
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy BARREL XT vs JBL Boombox 3 🤯Budget Banger vs Reigning Champ 🔋 Battery Powered 🏠 Indoors
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs Soundcore Rave Party 2 (Stock & Custom EQ) 🛜 Battery Powered🔋Let’s Get It🧨
- Jagist reviews: Unboxing Of The Skullcandy Barrel XT More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Skullcandy Barrel XT!!! 🤔😋
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Skullcandy Barrel XT!!! 🤔😋
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs ONN Medium Party Speaker Gen. 2 😬(Both Bass Boost On🔉) The Price is Right?🤑
- Josh’s Gadgets and More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs ZZA K8 sound comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
- Skullcandy Barrel vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Tronsmart Bang Max
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Sony SRS-XG500
- Skullcandy Barrel vs JBL Boombox
- See all 50 comparisons
JBL Boombox 3 Wifi: $389.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Loudest speaker in the category. Slightly better frequency response than the non-wifi version. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass boosted. Dip at 160hz
Full JBL Boombox 3 Wifi review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W AC / 140W battery |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 10.1" x 7.9" (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 WiFi - Sound Test - Wide vs Narrow Soundstage! More from Dominik Reviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Encore 2 Partybox Deep Bass 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi 🎶 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3🧐 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Boombox 4
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Zealot S95
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Zealot S89
- See all 60 comparisons