Short answer: the JBL Partybox On the Go. It ranks #44 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $300; the Turtlebox Gen 2 ranks #69 and costs $400, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Turtlebox Gen 2 offers: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume; 3 hour charge time). USB-C charging and USB-C output charges other devices, an upgrade over the original’s AC power brick. Pairs with a second unit for stereo. Watch for: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. They pretty much lie about all their specs and sound horrible in all youtube sound samples. Only 50w (from their indigogo page), will never hit 120db at a reasonable measuring distance. Putting your db meter right against the speaker doesn’t count, 1 meter distance is the standard. Barely any bass. Rattles at high volume. Looking at it, it appears to be a generic car 2-way 6x9 speaker in a plastic box.
What the JBL Partybox On the Go offers: Included wireless microphone. Watch for: Poor water rating. Horrible battery life. Probably the worst sounding of the Partybox line.
Buy the JBL Partybox On the Go. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Gen 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Turtlebox Gen 2. It ranks near the bottom of the 73 boombox speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Turtlebox Gen 2 is rated for 25 hours versus 6 hours for the JBL Partybox On the Go.
If water resistance matters to you, the Turtlebox Gen 2 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox On the Go at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Gen 2 | JBL Partybox On the Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 Discontinued | $300 |
| Ranked | #69 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #44 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg | 16.5 lbs / 7.5 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Output Power | 50W | 100W |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 19.3" x 8.8" x 9.6" (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter | 5.1" woofer + tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Max Volume | - | 94dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Turtlebox vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- JBL Boombox 2 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 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
Pros: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume; 3 hour charge time). USB-C charging and USB-C output charges other devices, an upgrade over the original’s AC power brick. Pairs with a second unit for stereo.
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. They pretty much lie about all their specs and sound horrible in all youtube sound samples. Only 50w (from their indigogo page), will never hit 120db at a reasonable measuring distance. Putting your db meter right against the speaker doesn’t count, 1 meter distance is the standard. Barely any bass. Rattles at high volume. Looking at it, it appears to be a generic car 2-way 6x9 speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.
Full Turtlebox Gen 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- 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)🎧
- Reddit Search for Turtlebox Gen 2 Review
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JBL Partybox On the Go: $300 Amazon eBay
Pros: Included wireless microphone.
Cons: Poor water rating. Horrible battery life. Probably the worst sounding of the Partybox line.
Full JBL Partybox On the Go review and specifications →
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 94dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs / 7.5 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Sony SRS-XG500
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs JBL Boombox
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Sony ULT Field 7
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Skullcandy Barrel
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- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Teufel Boomster NG (2017)
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