Short answer: the Skullcandy Barrel, easily. It ranks #55 of 90 boombox speakers against the JBL Partybox On the Go’s #60, and it costs $137.82 less.
Water resistance is the biggest gap between them. The Barrel carries an IP67 rating, meaning it is sealed against dust and can handle brief submersion. The Partybox On the Go is only IPX4, splash resistant at best, which our notes flag as a poor rating for a speaker this size and price.
Battery life is a bigger weakness for the Partybox On the Go. Our notes call it horrible, and its spec sheet lists a manufacturer-rated 6 hours against features the Barrel offers instead: a 12-hour runtime, a Bass Boost mode, and a Multi-Link feature that can chain up to 99 speakers together. The Partybox On the Go’s own notes go as far as calling it probably the worst sounding speaker in JBL’s Partybox line.
What the Partybox On the Go still offers: an included wireless microphone, a USB port for playback and charging your phone, and noticeably higher rated output power (100W versus 60W), though our notes don’t credit that extra wattage with better real-world sound.
Buy the Barrel for nearly every use case. It is better sealed against water and dust, lasts twice as long on a charge, and costs less.
Buy the Partybox On the Go only if the bundled wireless microphone is the deciding feature for you, and you don’t mind a shorter runtime and weaker water resistance.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Skullcandy Barrel | JBL Partybox On the Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $162.18 | $300 |
| Ranked | #55 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #60 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | 49Hz |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | 100W |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 22.1” x 9.6” (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) | 19.3” x 8.8” x 9.6” (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers | 5.1” woofer + tweeters |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Skullcandy Barrel compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Skullcandy Barrel
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
Skullcandy Barrel: $162.18 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) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| 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 |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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JBL Partybox On the Go: $300 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5.
Pros: JBL Partybox On the Go uses 5.1” woofer + tweeters. Its 7.5 kg, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 94dB and limited-stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A wireless microphone is included. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 49Hz specification. No EQ adjustment. Battery life is short, and its sound trails the rest of the Partybox line.
Full JBL Partybox On the Go review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.3” x 8.8” x 9.6” (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.1” woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) |
- Links
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