Short answer: the Turtlebox Gen 3 for better sound quality, the Turtlebox for the lower price. The Turtlebox Gen 3 ranks #67 of 72 boombox speakers at $430. The Turtlebox ranks #69 at $329, $101 cheaper.
What the Turtlebox Gen 3 gets right: True multi-speaker Party Mode and USB-C charging with power bank output, both added since the original. The catch: it ranks near the bottom of the boombox class here.
On the Turtlebox side: The same sound as the newer models for less money, since each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. The tradeoff: an external AC power brick to charge instead of USB-C, and no party mode beyond basic stereo pairing.
Buy the Turtlebox Gen 3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Turtlebox if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 72 boombox speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Gen 3 | Turtlebox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $430 | $329 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #67 of 72 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #69 of 72 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (infinite pairing) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power brick |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.0 |
| Output Power | 50W | 50W |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
Turtlebox Gen 3: $430 Amazon
Pros: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25+ hour battery life. USB-C charging and USB-C output charges other devices. True multi-speaker Party Mode added on top of stereo pairing, plus Bluetooth 5.4.
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Gen 2: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. They pretty much lie about all their specs and sound horrible in all youtube sound samples. Will never hit its claimed 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.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (infinite pairing) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs EcoXGear Defender
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Turtlebox Grande
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Earfun Uboom X
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Turtlebox Ranger
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs JBL Partybox 330
- See all 11 comparisons
Turtlebox: $329 Discontinued
Pros: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume). Pairs with a second unit for stereo.
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the later Gen 2 and 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. Uses an external AC power brick to charge, before USB-C was added on the Gen 2. Looking at it, it appears to be a generic car 2-way 6x9 speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Turtlebox Gen 1 vs JBL Partybox 110 Review
- Outeraudio: Turtlebox vs EcoXgear Defender Sound Comparison
- Risk Profile: TurtleBox Demo Risk Profile Podcast
- Everyday Man: Soundboks Go Vs Turttlebox Vs EcoXGear Defender
- KosherTech: Soundcore Rave VS Turtlebox- (Sound Test Only)🎧
- Reddit Search for Turtlebox Review
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 11, 2026 at 1:09 PM UTC 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.