Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used, though neither ranks well in its class. Used, the JBL Boombox is the better pick: it ranks #62 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 2.9/5), against #87 (rated 2.1/5) for the Turtlebox. If you want one new, the JBL Boombox 4 replaces the JBL Boombox and is rated 4.0/5 at $549.95. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 91 boombox speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Tribit Stormbox Blast instead, ranked #2 at $199.99.
The Turtlebox is the tougher choice. Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the JBL Boombox. The tradeoff: Sounds basically identical to the later Turtlebox Gen 2 and Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
The JBL Boombox is the better-sounding option. Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx5 protection and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. It links with other speakers (Connect+ up to 100 speakers), which the Turtlebox cannot. The catch: Treble is not very smooth.
Buy the JBL Boombox only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Boombox 4, which replaces the JBL Boombox.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox | JBL Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 Discontinued | $399 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #87 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #62 of 91 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 | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier 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 |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Boombox compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Boombox
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Boombox
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: $399 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025. See every JBL Boombox generation.
Pros: At 5.2 kg, JBL Boombox combines 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators with Bluetooth and aux. Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx5 protection and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. JBL Connect+ links up to 100 compatible speakers.
Cons: There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Treble is not very smooth. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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) |
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