Short answer: the JBL Boombox 3. It ranks #27 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $349.95 and is still sold new; the Turtlebox Gen 2 ranks #86 (rated 2.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Turtlebox Gen 2’s replacement, the Turtlebox Gen 3, is rated 2.1/5 at $430.
The Turtlebox Gen 2 is the lighter choice. Waterproof (IP67) and crushproof, and loud: Outeraudio measured about 104 dB at one meter. At 10 lbs (4.54 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Boombox 3 at 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg). It has a microphone input for karaoke or announcements, which the JBL Boombox 3 lacks. The tradeoff: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
The JBL Boombox 3 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 10dB, against 65Hz for the Turtlebox Gen 2. It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the Turtlebox Gen 2 cannot. Watch for: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700Hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Buy the JBL Boombox 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Turtlebox Gen 2 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Gen 2 | JBL Boombox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 Discontinued | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #86 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) | AC Power cable |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 19” x 10.1” x 7.9” (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Battery Capacity | 85Wh | - |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Outeraudio) | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Aux Latency | - | 25ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Boombox 3:
- EarFun Uboom X vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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
Turtlebox Gen 2: $400 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Turtlebox Gen 3, ranked higher, rated 2.1/5, released Feb 2025. It adds party mode.
Older model: the Turtlebox (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5). See every Turtlebox generation.
Pros: Waterproof (IP67) and crushproof, and loud: Outeraudio measured about 104 dB at one meter. An 85Wh battery rated for 25 hours at low volume and about 6 at full volume, a USB-C output that charges other devices, aux and 3.5mm microphone inputs, and stereo pairing with a second Gen 2. Measured bass extension of ~65Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. The nearly identical Turtlebox Gen 3 measured a V shaped tuning, with boosted lows and highs and dipped mids, yet bass only down 10dB at about 65Hz, and only about 12W RMS from its amp; Turtlebox rated this one at just 50W. Outeraudio found its balance and treble middling, with slight harshness at higher volumes, and it rattles at high volume. Nowhere near its claimed 120dB at a standard one meter distance. It charges only from its own barrel plug adapter, not USB-C, and has no app, EQ or party mode. Inside is essentially a car audio 6x9 two way speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.
Full Turtlebox Gen 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Capacity | 85Wh |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Outeraudio) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Outeraudio: Turtlebox Gen 2 Review
- Outeraudio: Turtlebox vs EcoXgear Defender Sound Comparison
- Risk Profile: TurtleBox Demo Risk Profile Podcast
- Everyday Man: Soundboks Go Vs Turttlebox Vs EcoXGear Defender
- Turtlebox Audio: Turtlebox Gen 2 - Live Sound Demo
- KosherTech: Soundcore Rave VS Turtlebox- (Sound Test Only)🎧 More from KosherTech →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Boombox 3: $349.95 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025. It adds USB audio input, app control, adjustable EQ and AAC, but drops the aux input. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.
Older models: the JBL Boombox 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5). See every JBL Boombox generation.
Same family: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: IP67 rated. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Doubles as a power bank. PartyBoost links up to 100 compatible JBL speakers. Three-way speaker system with subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700Hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Full JBL Boombox 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19” x 10.1” x 7.9” (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Boombox 3 - outdoor test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 review vs JBL Boombox 2 a subwoofer and a 3 way equals heaven? 💋 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: W King T11 party boombox and Karaoke machine review vs T9, Stormbox Blast and Boombox 3.
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 vs 2x Tribit Stormbox Blast 🤑 Huge difference? More from Dominik Reviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Boombox 3 - outdoor
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Boombox 3 Tailgater Special @20ft. The Budget Beast Against the OG Boombox More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 🔊 Got Bass? Let’s See How They Compare 😲 Battery Powered 🔋
- Picky Audio: SO CLOSE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3 More from pickyaudio →
- Picky Audio: Extended Sound Test (Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3)
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart Bang Max Review, JBL Boombox 3 wannabe 130w
- 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: SONY ULT Field 7 💣vs JBL Boombox 3 🧨 Showdown! 🪇Let’s Shake it Up! 🔋Battery Powered Basement Battle
- AudioTribe: JBL Authentics 500 VS JBL Boombox 3 Sound Test Comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox 3 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Bugani Brief Pro
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Ruimatech RM-10
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
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- See all 93 comparisons