JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 Review: Ranked #6 of 91

Last updated: October 5, 2026

The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 ranks #6 out of 91 total Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers for sound quality. See all Portable Bluetooth rankings for every top pick.

Brand: JBL

Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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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JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 - ranked #6 of 91 Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers · Editor's rating 4.3/5
Check price at Amazon ($219.00) →

#6 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).

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 Encore 2.

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Related speakers: JBL Partybox Encore Essential.

How it compares: Just above it: JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus - $131 more. Just below it: JBL Partybox Encore - $11 more, 9 fewer hours of battery life.

Amplifier Power100W RMS
AppYes (JBL PartyBox app)
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)42Hz
Battery Life15 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.4
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions12.6” x 13.5” x 10.3” (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm)
Drivers1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters
EQYes (7 band App EQ)
Guitar InputYes
IP RatingIPX4
LightsYes
Maximum SPL110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Microphone InputYes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C)
Power InputAC Power cord
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight13.7 lbs (6.2 kg)
Wireless MicrophonesNo
Check current price at Amazon ($219.00) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 →

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