Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It ranks #6 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $219 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 longer-running, lighter choice. Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 15 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. At 10 lbs (4.54 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg). It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. 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 Partybox Encore Essential 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A compact 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) party speaker with 100W output, 110dB maximum level, a 15-hour claimed battery, app-based 7-band EQ, dynamic lighting, USB playback, guitar and mic inputs, and Auracast linking. Its bass reaches about 42Hz before falling 10dB, against 65Hz for the Turtlebox. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Turtlebox cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Turtlebox lacks. The catch: It is front-facing, so the sound changes noticeably to the sides and behind it, and bass compression reduces kick-drum impact at maximum volume.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Turtlebox is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox | JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 Discontinued | $219.00 |
| Ranked | #87 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #6 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| EQ | No | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | AC Power cord |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 100W RMS |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Wireless Microphones | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
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- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
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 Partybox Encore Essential 2: $219.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential (ranked lower, rated 4.2/5). See every JBL PartyBox Encore generation.
Same family: the JBL Partybox Encore 2 (smaller model, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5).
Pros: A compact 6.2kg party speaker with 100W output, 110dB maximum level, a 15-hour claimed battery, app-based 7-band EQ, dynamic lighting, USB playback, guitar and mic inputs, and Auracast linking. Independent testing finds a balanced midrange, genuinely punchy low bass and enough output for a backyard gathering; its dome tweeters also improve the earlier Encore’s high-frequency behavior. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-10dB).
Cons: It is front-facing, so the sound changes noticeably to the sides and behind it, and bass compression reduces kick-drum impact at maximum volume. Bluetooth latency can cause lip-sync issues, its IPX4 rating only covers splashes, and it omits the wireless microphones bundled with the non-Essential JBL Partybox Encore 2.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
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- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
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