Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 ranks higher than the Turtlebox Gen 3 (#23 vs #85 of 91 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, is rated 4.4/5 at $385 and is still sold new.
The Turtlebox Gen 3 is the longer-running, tougher choice. Waterproof (IP67, and it floats) and crushproof, with stainless steel hardware and quality amplifier parts inside. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2. It is rated IP67, while the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 has no water resistance. The catch: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 2: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
The Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Claimed 8 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, up to 99db and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 10dB, against 65Hz for the Turtlebox Gen 3. At 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) it weighs much less than the Turtlebox Gen 3 at 10 lbs (4.54 kg). The tradeoff: Not as loud as others.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, the replacement for the discontinued Harman Kardon Go + Play 2; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Gen 3.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Gen 3 | Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $430.00 | $350 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #85 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) | AC Power brick |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.1 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 100W AC / 30W battery |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 20” x 9” x 9.5” (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter | 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) | - |
| Battery Capacity | 85Wh | - |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Williston Audio Labs) | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 33ms |
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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 3: $430.00 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Turtlebox Gen 2 (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5) and the Turtlebox (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5). See every Turtlebox generation.
Same family: the Turtlebox Cub (smaller model, rated 3/5), the Turtlebox Ranger (smaller model, rated 3.5/5) and the Turtlebox Grande (larger model, ranked higher, rated 2.6/5).
Pros: Waterproof (IP67, and it floats) and crushproof, with stainless steel hardware and quality amplifier parts inside. Loud for its class: Williston Audio Labs measured 102 dB at max volume, well above a Kicker Bullfrog BF400’s 96 dB. A big 85Wh battery rated for 25+ hours, a USB-C output that charges other devices, aux and microphone inputs, and true multi-speaker Party Mode on top of stereo pairing, plus Bluetooth 5.4. Measured bass extension of ~65Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 2: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. The amp is tuned to a V shape, with boosted lows and highs and a dip in the mids, but the boost can’t make up for shallow extension: the bass is only down 10dB at about 65Hz, so there’s little real low end despite the boomy upper bass. The amp delivers only about 12W RMS at 1% distortion. In Williston Audio Labs’ side by side test most listeners preferred the much smaller Kicker Bullfrog BF400 for its cleaner sound, and a Pioneer PBM5 played louder at 105 dB. Nowhere near its claimed 120dB at a reasonable measuring distance. Rattles at high volume. It charges only from its own 15V barrel plug brick, not USB-C, and has no app or EQ. Inside is essentially a car audio 6x9 two way speaker in a plastic box.
Full Turtlebox Gen 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2025 (1 year 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 | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| 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 | 102dB (measured by Williston Audio Labs) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) |
| 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
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Harman Kardon Go + Play 2: $350 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5, released Jul 2023. It adds power bank charging, app control, adjustable EQ and stereo pairing, but drops party mode. See every Harman Kardon Go + Play generation.
Pros: At 2.4 kg, Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 combines 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters with Bluetooth. Claimed 8 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, up to 99db and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 40Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 40Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Not as loud as others. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W AC / 30W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20” x 9” x 9.5” (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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