Short answer: the JBL Authentics 300. It ranks #41 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $499.95; the Turtlebox Grande ranks #71, rated 2.6/5, and costs $730, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Turtlebox Grande is the longer-running, tougher pick. 10-inch woofer. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 8 for the JBL Authentics 300. It is rated IP67, while the JBL Authentics 300 has no water resistance. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Authentics 300 lacks. The catch: In YouTube sound samples it sounds only okay, and bass is shallow for a 10 inch woofer, only down 10dB at about 55Hz.
The JBL Authentics 300 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Its bass reaches about 45Hz before falling 10dB, against 55Hz for the Turtlebox Grande. At 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) it weighs much less than the Turtlebox Grande at 18.8 lbs (8.53 kg). It has an adjustable EQ, which the Turtlebox Grande lacks. The tradeoff: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
Buy the JBL Authentics 300. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Grande and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Grande | JBL Authentics 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $730.00 | $499.95 |
| Ranked | #71 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (20V/3A) | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 18.8 lbs (8.53 kg) | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 86W | 100W |
| Dimensions | 14” x 8.4” x 11.5” (355.6 x 213.4 x 292.1 mm) | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 10” (254mm) woofer + 1x 1.25” (32mm) titanium tweeter | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Authentics 300:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Authentics 300
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Authentics 300
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Authentics 300
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Authentics 300
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Authentics 300
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Turtlebox Grande: $730.00 Amazon eBay
Same family: the Turtlebox Cub (smaller model, rated 3/5), the Turtlebox Ranger (smaller model, rated 3.5/5) and the Turtlebox Gen 3 (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 2.1/5). See every Turtlebox generation.
Pros: 10-inch woofer. IP67 submersible shell with crush-proof ABS exterior. 158Wh battery provides ~3 days of playback. Bluetooth 5.4, party mode (100+ speakers). Measured bass extension of ~55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: In YouTube sound samples it sounds only okay, and bass is shallow for a 10 inch woofer, only down 10dB at about 55Hz. It is rated at just 86W, and like the smaller Turtleboxes it won’t reach its claimed 126dB at a standard one meter distance. Expensive for what it delivers. It charges only from its own barrel plug adapter, not USB-C.
Full Turtlebox Grande review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 86W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 14” x 8.4” x 11.5” (355.6 x 213.4 x 292.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 10” (254mm) woofer + 1x 1.25” (32mm) titanium tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (20V/3A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 18.8 lbs (8.53 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Turtlebox Grande vs W-King D10
- Turtlebox Grande vs Bumpboxx Flare 8
- Turtlebox Grande vs Bumpboxx Flare 6
- Turtlebox Grande vs Diamondboxx M3
- Turtlebox Grande vs EcoXGear Defender
- Turtlebox Grande vs Gemini GGO-650L
- Turtlebox Grande vs Tronsmart Halo 200
- Turtlebox Grande vs Demerbox DB2
- See all 96 comparisons
JBL Authentics 300: $499.95 Amazon eBay
Same family: the JBL Authentics 200 (smaller model, rated 3.7/5) and the JBL Authentics 500 (larger model, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. 100-watt amp, carries well with leather-trimmed handle. Rechargeable battery rated ~8 hours. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
Full JBL Authentics 300 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Authentics 300 - sound quality test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - update
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - listening session
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast More from alanrossreviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Authentics 300 vs JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Authentics 300 vs B&O Beolit 20
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Aiwa Exos-10
- JBL Authentics 300 vs W-King X20
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox
- JBL Authentics 300 vs W-King D20
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Teufel Boomster 4
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- See all 109 comparisons