Short answer: the Skullcandy Barrel. Both are rated 3.2/5 for sound quality (#60 and #59 of 112 boombox speakers), and the Skullcandy Barrel costs $157.40 against $228.99 for the Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
What the Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 does well: A large party speaker with powerful bass, a big fast charging battery and app EQ for outdoor parties. Watch for: There is limited independent testing and the water/dust rating is reported inconsistently across listings.
The Skullcandy Barrel is the lighter option. A water resistant party speaker with a synced light show, bass boost and linking for many speakers. At 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 at 16.8 lbs (7.64 kg). The tradeoff: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers.
Buy the Skullcandy Barrel. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $71.59 less than the Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A large party speaker with powerful bass, a big fast charging battery and app EQ for outdoor parties.
A water resistant party speaker with a synced light show, bass boost and linking for many speakers.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 | Skullcandy Barrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $228.99 | $157.40 |
| Ranked | #59 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #60 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 111Wh (14.8V/7,500mAh) (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs (7.64 kg) | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Amplifier Power | 200W RMS / 300W Peak | 60W |
| Dimensions | 20.7” x 8.3” x 10.6” (525 x 210 x 268 mm) | 11.8” x 22.1” x 9.6” (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 189x114mm woofer, 2x 89mm midrange, 2x 38mm tweeters | 2x 20mm drivers |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~50Hz |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) |
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