Short answer: the JBL Partybox On the Go. It ranks #60 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.0/5) at $300 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 PartyBox On the Go has the deeper bass. Its 5.1-inch woofer and tweeters on 100W reach about 49Hz before falling 10dB, it charges over USB-C, and a wireless microphone comes in the box. Its battery is rated for only 6 hours, it has no EQ, and it is just splash resistant.
The original Turtlebox is a discontinued, crushproof outdoor box. It is IP67, plays loud with punchy upper bass, claims 25 hours of battery and pairs with a second unit for stereo. Its car-audio 6x9 woofer falls 10dB around 65Hz, it rattles at high volume, and it charges from an external power brick.
Buy the JBL Partybox On the Go. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Turtlebox is no longer sold new.
Water resistance is not close: the Turtlebox is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the JBL Partybox On the Go at IPX4 (splashing).
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox | JBL Partybox On the Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 Discontinued | $300 |
| Ranked | #87 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #60 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 100W |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 19.3” x 8.8” x 9.6” (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter | 5.1” woofer + tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
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- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
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 On the Go: $300 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5, released Apr 2026. It adds USB audio input, adjustable EQ, party mode and LC3. Battery life goes from 6 to 15 hours. See every JBL PartyBox On-The-Go generation.
Pros: JBL Partybox On the Go uses 5.1” woofer + tweeters. Its 7.5 kg, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 94dB and limited-stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A wireless microphone is included. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 49Hz specification. No EQ adjustment. Battery life is short, and its sound trails the rest of the Partybox line.
Full JBL Partybox On the Go review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.3” x 8.8” x 9.6” (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.1” woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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