Short answer: the X20, for $62.99 more. It ranks #30 of 75 boombox speakers at $219.98; the Barrel ranks #41 at $156.99.
The Barrel’s feature list is real: water resistance, an LED lightshow synced to music, and Multi-Link for up to 99 speakers. Our notes say it still trails the top of the class on bass depth and loudness, with rolled-off treble.
The X20 leans on a 7.5-inch subwoofer and 330W peak power, with cons limited to a rising frequency response and peaks at 700Hz and 1.2kHz.
Buy the X20 for the better ranking. Buy the Barrel if the $62.99 saved matters more to you.
Battery life favors the W-King X20: rated for 24 hours against 12 hours for the Skullcandy Barrel.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Skullcandy Barrel | W-King X20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $156.99 | $219.98 after coupon |
| Ranked | #41 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | ~42Hz |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) | 15.9 lbs (7200 g) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) | Yes (W-King app) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App + button modes) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | 330W peak / 200W RMS |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 22.1" x 9.6" (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) | 19.9" x 8.5" x 10.6" (506 x 217 x 270 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers | 7.5" subwoofer + drivers |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX6 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) | 112dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for W-King X20:
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- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs W-King X20
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs W-King X20
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs W-King X20
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs W-King X20
Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Skullcandy Barrel: $156.99 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 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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- 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!!! 🤔😋
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W-King X20: $219.98 after coupon Amazon eBay
Pros: 200W RMS output with 330W peak power, 112dB max volume, exceptional 24-hour battery life with power bank, IPX6 waterproof, EQ with app control and button modes, 7.5-inch subwoofer, Bluetooth 5.3, dual pairing, MicroSD and USB playback, AUX input, TWS stereo mode with 240W combined. Measured bass extension of ~42Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Rising frequency response but upper treble rolled off, 700Hz and 1.2kHz peaks
Full W-King X20 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 330W peak / 200W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (W-King app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~42Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.9" x 8.5" x 10.6" (506 x 217 x 270 mm) |
| Drivers | 7.5" subwoofer + drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App + button modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Maximum SPL | 112dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7200 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Jbl Encore!!! 😁😁😁 More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Skullcandy Barrel XT!!! 🤔😋
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore RAVE 3 🤗v🆚s W- KING X20🎶 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
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- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs W-king X20!!!
- Techder Audios: W-king X20 VS Zealot S95 DEEP BASS VS DEEPER & LOUDER BASS?! More from techderaudios →
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs W-king X20!!!
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- Jagist reviews: Bugani Boost Max Vs W-king X20!!! 😍😍😍
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