Short answer: the JBL Boombox for better sound quality, the Turtlebox for the lower price. The JBL Boombox ranks #46 of 73 boombox speakers at $399. The Turtlebox ranks #70 at $329, $70 cheaper.
What the Turtlebox offers: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume). Pairs with a second unit for stereo. Watch for: 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.
What the JBL Boombox offers: Connect+ up to 100 speakers. Watch for: Treble isn’t very smooth
Buy the Turtlebox if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the JBL Boombox if sound quality matters more than the price.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Turtlebox. It ranks near the bottom of the 73 boombox speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox | JBL Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 Discontinued | $399 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #70 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #46 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg | 11.5 lbs / 5.2 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | - |
| Output Power | 50W | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 10" x 18.1" x 7.7" (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Sony ULT Field 7 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- Turtlebox vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Turtlebox vs Demerbox DB2
Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 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 Amazon eBay
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.
Full Turtlebox review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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 |
- 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Boombox: $399 Discontinued JBL Boombox eBay
Pros: Connect+ up to 100 speakers.
Cons: Treble isn’t very smooth. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10" x 18.1" x 7.7" (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs / 5.2 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons