Short answer: the JBL Boombox 3. It ranks #27 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $349.95 and is still sold new; the Turtlebox ranks #87 (rated 2.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Turtlebox’s replacement, the Turtlebox Gen 3, is rated 2.1/5 at $430.
The Turtlebox is the lighter choice. Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. At 10 lbs (4.54 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Boombox 3 at 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg). Watch for: Sounds basically identical to the later Turtlebox Gen 2 and Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
The JBL Boombox 3 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 10dB, against 65Hz for the Turtlebox. It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the Turtlebox cannot. The tradeoff: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700Hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Buy the JBL Boombox 3. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Turtlebox is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox | JBL Boombox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 Discontinued | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #87 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | AC Power cable |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 19” x 10.1” x 7.9” (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 25ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Boombox 3:
- EarFun Uboom X vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3
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: $329 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Turtlebox Gen 3, ranked higher, rated 2.1/5, released Feb 2025. See every Turtlebox generation.
Pros: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume). Pairs with a second unit for stereo. Measured bass extension of ~65Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the later Turtlebox Gen 2 and Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. The nearly identical Turtlebox Gen 3 measured a V shaped tuning, with boosted lows and highs and dipped mids, yet bass only down 10dB at about 65Hz, and only about 12W RMS from its amp; Turtlebox rated this one at just 50W. It rattles at high volume. Nowhere near its claimed 120dB at a standard one meter distance. It charges from an external AC power brick. Inside is essentially a car audio 6x9 two way speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.
Full Turtlebox review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2018 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Boombox 3: $349.95 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025. It adds USB audio input, app control, adjustable EQ and AAC, but drops the aux input. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.
Older models: the JBL Boombox 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5). See every JBL Boombox generation.
Same family: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: IP67 rated. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Doubles as a power bank. PartyBoost links up to 100 compatible JBL speakers. Three-way speaker system with subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700Hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Full JBL Boombox 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19” x 10.1” x 7.9” (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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