When it comes to high-quality Bluetooth speakers, no brand can beat the trust and price-point offered by JBL. JBL Boombox and Partybox are amongst the most sold speakers of the last generation. But what makes these speakers stand out from others? Also, which one of the two is better for your household. Keep in mind, both JBL Boombox and JBL Partybix are great loud-sounding speakers, ample features, and available at a reasonable price often with discounts. But there are few key differences between the two which you must keep in mind before making your decision regarding the best speaker for yourself.
So, without any further talks, lets’ straight jump into our comparison of these two JBL beasts.
| Product Image | Product Image | Product Price | Prime Availability | Purchase Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | JBL Boombox - Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | JBL PartyBox 100 - High Power Portable Wireless Bluetooth Party Speaker | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
| Features | JBL Boombox | JBL Partybox |
| Output Power | 2×30 watt | 4×40 watt |
| Dimensions | 495 x 254.5 x 195.5 mm | 290 x 288 x 551 mm |
| Weight | 5.25 kg | 9.7 kg |
| Lowest Frequency | 50 Hz | 45 Hz |
| Highest Frequency | 20,000 Hz | 18,000 Hz |
| Battery Power | 20,000 mAh | 2,500 mAh |
| Charging Time | 6.5 hours | 6.5 hours |
| Battery Life (advertised) | 24 hours | 12 hours |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| USB Ports | 2 | 1 |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 | IPX7 |
Table of Contents
JBL Boombox
- Designed to handle your late-night parties and trips
- JBL Boombox is an IPX7 certified speaker making it waterproof against strong splashes of water and occasional mud
- To enlighten your parties, you can connect as many speakers as you want using the updated JBL Connect+ app using Bluetooth just at the press of a button
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
JBL Partybox
- The JBL PartyBox is a powerful party speaker with JBL sound quality and vivid light effects
- Thanks to its rechargeable battery and 4×40 watt output you can bring the party everywhere
- Simply plug in your Guitar or Microphone and start streaming your songs via Bluetooth or from the USB port
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specs Comparison
A. Price Point
Starting with the cost of both speakers, the JBL Boombox is available at the price of $399.99, about 50 dollars more than JBL Partybox which is usually priced at around $349.99. Both the speakers are available at discount during festivities and sales and you could grab them at less than $299.99. So, if you have to decide on a more suitable speaker for yourself, pricing shouldn’t be a problem. Makes sure to buy them only during sales, as being older models they are on discount more often than other JBL speakers.
B. Build & Design
The JBL Partybox is heavy and not designed for portable use. The JBL Boombox on the other hand weighs around 5.25 kgs is almost half the weight that of Partybox. Moreover, you have a built-in handle to carry the speaker around. So concluding, both of them are heavy-weight speakers but in terms of compatibility JBL Boombox sure has an upper hand.
The JBL Boombox and Partybox are not designed keeping portability in mind. In case, you are more interested in getting a speaker that you would like to move around with, you will find our detailed analysis of the best portable boombox in 2023 pretty helpful.
Moreover, as you might know, all the JBL speakers are certified with IPX7 ratings. This makes both JBL Partyox and Boombox safe from occasional splashes, dirt and ready for the pool and beach-side parties.
To get a comprehensive list of all the top water-proof Bluetooth speakers, have a look at our review of the best waterproof Boombox in 2023 along with a detailed buying guide.
Related Read – JBL Boombox Vs JBL Xtreme 2
C. Power & Battery Life
The JBL Boombox features a massive 20,000 mAh battery against a 10,000 mAh battery offered by JBL Partybox. The Boombox can completely take out your late-night parties with a battery backup that can almost last a day. Of course, on heavy usage with maximum volume, the battery life can fall to 12-15 hours throughout use. The Partybox just lasts about 12 hours and moderate use and even less than 8 hours on regular usage.
Even though both the speakers feature different batteries, both of them take around 6-6.5 hours to completely charge from zero. So, when it comes to power and battery life, JBL Boombox emerges as a clear winner with a battery backup that can go on for a whole day of celebrations.
D. Sound Quality
Till now, JBL Boombox has been a winner in all the aspects in our comparison. So what makes the Partybox be valued at the same price as that of Boombox? This answer lies within the most important feature of any speaker, sound quality.
The JBL Partybox is equipped with a 4×40 watt speaker which in our view more than enough for any non-commercial usage. Be it college parties, poolside fun, or large occasions such as weddings or anniversaries, the JBL Partybox has got you covered. The JBL Boombox is also pretty loud and great sounding as long as you plan to use it for only household purposes and small gatherings. Both the speaker have almost the same frequency range and a similar SNR ratio 80dBs which is the industry standard for Bluetooth speakers these days.
For a list of even more high-quality sounding speakers, visit our comprehensive and detailed guide of the best-sounding Boombox in 2023.
E. Connectivity
Being from the same generation of JBL speakers, both JBL Boombox and Partybox are based on Bluetooth 4.2 technology which aims to increase the network range while lowering the overall battery usage. The speakers can be paired with any smartphone, home theatre, smart/non-smart TV, and any device that supports 4.2 connectivity.
As far as the number of ports goes, both the speakers are pretty much equivalent except the JBL Boombox has an extra USB port that can be used to connect to other devices and stream music even while charging. Both the speakers support the JBL Connect+ app that is used to multiple speakers to the same device or even multiple devices to the same speaker.
The JBL Connect+ app is available in both IOS and Android PlayStore which you can easily install using the links below:
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/jbl-portable/id994041762
PlayStore: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.harman.ble.jbllink
For the complete list of all Boombox that supports Bluetooth, we advise you to once visit our review of the best bluetooth boombox to buy in 2023.
Final Words
Both JBL speakers are great and one of the best in their respective fields. If you are looking for a hard-hitting speaker for large gatherings and crowds, JBL Partybox is a great option. But, if you are in for a more portable speaker with a large battery large enough to last your trips, go for JBL Boombox with its 20,00 mAh long-lasting battery without any second thoughts. Both the speakers are well built and suitable for any conditions whether indoor or outdoor.
We hope we were helpful with our comparison of JBL Boombox and JBL Partybox. If you liked our article, make sure to bookmark and check out other comparisons and reviews on our site.