Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore 2, if you are buying new. The JBL Partybox Encore ranks higher than the Turtlebox Gen 3 (#7 vs #85 of 91 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Partybox Encore 2, is rated 4.4/5 at $330 and is still sold new.
The Turtlebox Gen 3 is the longer-running, lighter option. 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 6 for the JBL Partybox Encore. At 10 lbs (4.54 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Partybox Encore at 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg). It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox Encore. The catch: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 2: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
The JBL Partybox Encore is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A great sounding party speaker with somewhat boosted bass and two included wireless microphones. Its bass reaches about 38Hz before falling 10dB, against 65Hz for the Turtlebox Gen 3. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Turtlebox Gen 3 lacks. The catch: Only IPX4 splash resistance.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Partybox Encore; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Gen 3.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Gen 3 | JBL Partybox Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $430.00 | $230 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #85 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #7 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) | AC Power cord |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 100W RMS |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) | - |
| Battery Capacity | 85Wh | - |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Williston Audio Labs) | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Aux Latency | - | 17ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 2 Included |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Partybox Encore:
- EarFun Uboom X vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore
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- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore
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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Partybox Encore: $230 Discontinued Walmart eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox Encore 2, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5, released Apr 2025. Battery life goes from 6 to 15 hours. See every JBL PartyBox Encore generation.
Same family: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential (larger model, ranked lower, rated 4.2/5).
Pros: JBL Partybox Encore uses 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters. Its 6.3 kg, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 110dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A great sounding party speaker with somewhat boosted bass and two included wireless microphones. Measured bass extension of 38Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification. Only IPX4 splash resistance. Discontinued.
Full JBL Partybox Encore review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical! More from alanrossreviews →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: outdoors More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: indoors
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade More from M1MTechChannel →
- Alan Ross Reviews: This changed my opinion on JBL speakers!
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample. More from DLXWillington →
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- Dominik Reviews: Soundcore Rave 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore - Quick Sound Test! 🤗 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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