Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Authentics 300

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Short answer: the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is the outdoor, battery-driven choice; the JBL Authentics 300 is for a connected home speaker with voice control. These products overlap in price but not in purpose.

Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Authentics 300

Soundcore’s Boom 2 Plus is relatively light for a large boombox and has useful bass reach. Its warm stock tuning benefits from EQ, especially if you want more treble presence and less upper-bass emphasis.

JBL’s Authentics 300 can run Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant together, an unusual advantage for a smart speaker. Its narrower presentation and limited bass depth make it less suitable as a replacement for a large outdoor boombox.

Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus if you need portable bass, lower weight, and adjustable outdoor sound.

Buy the JBL Authentics 300 if smart-home integration and dual voice assistants are more useful than wide, deep portable sound.

If battery life is a priority, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is rated for 20 hours versus 8 hours for the JBL Authentics 300.

Water resistance is not close: the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is rated at IPX7 (brief submersion), well ahead of the JBL Authentics 300 at no water resistance.

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus at Amazon ($179.99) →Buy the JBL Authentics 300 at Amazon ($299.95) →

Specifications Side By Side

Soundcore Boom 2 Plus JBL Authentics 300
Price$179.99$299.95
Ranked#36 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#41 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Aux InputYesNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)39Hz45Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (Pro EQ + presets)Yes (App EQ)
IP RatingIPX7None
Maximum SPL111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
MicroSD PlaybackNoNo
Party ModeYes (PartyCast 2.0)Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room)
Power BankYes (USB-C, 5V/2A)No
Power InputUSB-CAC Power cable
StereoYesPartially (1 woofer)
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight8.4 lbs (3.8 kg)10.8 lbs (4.9 kg)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AACSBC
USB PlaybackNoYes
Built-in MicrophoneYesYes
Amplifier Power140W100W
Dimensions17.3” x 9.1” x 5.9” (440 x 230 x 150 mm)13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm)
Drivers2x 114mm (4.5”) woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75”) tweeters1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators
Digital Aux InputNoNo
LightsYes-
Bluetooth Version5.35.3
StrapYes (detachable strap)No
Wi-Fi-Yes
Voice Assistants-Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous)
Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus at Amazon ($179.99) →Buy the JBL Authentics 300 at Amazon ($299.95) →

How Soundcore Boom 2 Plus compares with other leading options:

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

Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: $179.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

Soundcore Boom 2 Plus ranking card

Older model: the Soundcore Motion Boom+ (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5).

Pros: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. This speaker will likely move up as we get a good EQ tune that makes it a lot more neutral. Measured bass extension of 39Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost. Reasonably deep bass, but not as good as the top ranked.

Full Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review and specifications →

Amplifier Power140W
AppYes
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)39Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions17.3” x 9.1” x 5.9” (440 x 230 x 150 mm)
Drivers2x 114mm (4.5”) woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75”) tweeters
EQYes (Pro EQ + presets)
IP RatingIPX7
LightsYes
Maximum SPL111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
MicroSD PlaybackNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (PartyCast 2.0)
Power BankYes (USB-C, 5V/2A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
StrapYes (detachable strap)
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight8.4 lbs (3.8 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($179.99) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for Soundcore Boom 2 Plus →

JBL Authentics 300: $299.95 Amazon eBay

JBL Authentics 300 ranking card

Pros: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. 100-watt amp, carries well with leather-trimmed handle. Rechargeable battery rated ~8 hours. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.

Full JBL Authentics 300 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power100W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)45Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm)
Drivers1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators
EQYes (App EQ)
IP RatingNone
Maximum SPL100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
MicroSD PlaybackNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room)
Power BankNo
Power InputAC Power cable
StereoPartially (1 woofer)
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Voice AssistantsAmazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous)
Weight10.8 lbs (4.9 kg)
Wi-FiYes
Check current price at Amazon ($299.95) →Search eBay for JBL Authentics 300 →