Short answer: the Skullcandy Barrel. It ranks #55 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.2/5) at $157.47 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 option. Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 12 for the Skullcandy Barrel. Watch for: Sounds basically identical to the later Turtlebox Gen 2 and Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
The Skullcandy Barrel is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. Its bass reaches about 50Hz before falling 10dB, against 65Hz for the Turtlebox. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Turtlebox lacks. The catch: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers.
Buy the Skullcandy Barrel. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Turtlebox is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox | Skullcandy Barrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 Discontinued | $157.47 |
| Ranked | #87 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #55 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 60W |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 11.8” x 22.1” x 9.6” (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter | 2x 20mm drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Skullcandy Barrel compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Skullcandy Barrel
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
Skullcandy Barrel: $157.47 Amazon eBay
Pros: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. 12 hour battery life. Bass Boost mode. Multi-Link feature connects up to 99 speakers. Doubles as phone charger. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers. Not as loud as the top ranked speakers. Rolled off treble.
Full Skullcandy Barrel review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 22.1” x 9.6” (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) |
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