ReviewFinder Portable Bluetooth Speakers

JBL Boombox

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Sound quality
Battery life
Portability
Durability
Connectivity
Additional features
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29 Verified Hands-On Reviews

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Expert reviews [29]

83
Total expert reviews: 29
  • with a score: 16
  • without a score: 13
Highest score by Louder
100
Average score based on 29 reviews
83
Lowest score by Expert Reviews
60

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
80
The JBL Boombox is a portable Bluetooth speaker that packs a powerful level of bass rarely seen in portable speakers. It is big and heavy, reminiscent of the boomboxes of the 80s and 90s, and has an IPX7 rating, making it waterproof and suitable for outdoor use.
+ pros
  • The JBL Boombox has a powerful level of bass that is rarely seen in portable speakers.
  • It has an IPX7 rating, making it waterproof and suitable for use by the pool or in the rain.
  • The speaker has a large built-in handle for easy carrying and a long battery life of roughly 24 hours.
  • The companion app, JBL Connect, offers extra controls such as Party mode and Stereo mode.
  • The design is nostalgic and reminiscent of boomboxes from the 80s and 90s.
- cons
  • The speaker is heavy and bulky, making it difficult to carry for extended periods of time.
  • The mic offers so-so intelligibility and lacks superb clarity.
  • There are no included USB or aux input cables, which seems like an omission given the high price.
  • The sound signature is not accurate and sounds more like a club PA system, which may not be suitable for purists.
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Expert consensus

The JBL Boombox is a durable and powerful portable Bluetooth speaker with excellent sound quality and connectivity options, making it ideal for outdoor activities.

The JBL Boombox is a powerful and durable portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers crystal clear sound quality with deep bass, making it perfect for outdoor activities such as camping, picnics, and beach parties. It has a long-lasting battery life of up to 24 hours and can be used while charging.

The speaker is designed to withstand various weather conditions, with an IPX7 waterproof rating and rubberized plastic casing. It has excellent connectivity options, including Bluetooth 4. 2, USB out ports, a 3. 5mm headphone jack, and a Micro USB port. The JBL Boombox is ideal for music lovers who prioritize sound quality and durability over portability.

It is not the best option for those who need a lightweight and compact speaker for everyday use or travel. Overall, the JBL Boombox is a great choice for those who want a powerful and high-quality portable speaker that can deliver great sound in any setting.

Sound quality

The JBL Boombox is a powerful and well-balanced portable speaker that delivers crystal clear sound quality with thunderous bass, making it perfect for large spaces and outdoor use.

The JBL Boombox is a powerful and well-balanced portable speaker that delivers crystal clear sound quality with crisp highs, detailed midranges, and thunderous bass. It has a volume output of 101dB, making it one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers available on the market, perfect for large spaces and parties.

The speaker is designed to be used outdoors, with a rugged and waterproof design that makes it perfect for use at the beach, by the pool, or in the rain. It even floats on water, so falling into a lake or pool shouldn’t be a problem. The JBL Boombox is ideal for dance parties and other events where the bass is key, as it delivers deep bass that you can feel without being boomy or distorted.

The sound is well-balanced and full, regardless of the volume level, and there is no distortion even at high volumes. The JBL Boombox is a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and portable speaker that delivers excellent sound quality both indoors and outdoors.

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Battery life

The JBL Boombox has a battery life of up to 24 hours, but this can vary depending on usage habits and volume levels, and it can be charged while in use with a dual charge out feature.

The JBL Boombox has a battery life of up to 24 hours on a single charge, but this can vary depending on usage habits, volume levels, and chosen settings. When played at moderate volume, the battery can last up to 24 hours, but if played at higher volumes, the battery life can be reduced to approximately 12-18 hours.

The charging time can vary from 4. 6 to 7 hours, depending on usage habits and volume levels. The speaker has a power-saving feature that shuts it off after 20 minutes of inactivity to extend battery life. The Boombox can be used while charging, and it has a dual charge out feature that allows users to charge their phone while playing music.

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Portability

The JBL Boombox is a portable Bluetooth speaker with a built-in handle that is ideal for outdoor activities, but may not be the best option for everyday use or travel due to its size and weight.

The JBL Boombox is a portable Bluetooth speaker that comes with a built-in handle for easy transport. While it is heavier and larger than most portable speakers on the market, the handle is ergonomically designed and provides a solid grip, making it easy to carry around.

The speaker is ideal for outdoor activities such as camping, picnics, and beach parties, where its powerful sound and long battery life can enhance the experience. However, it may not be the best option for those who need a lightweight and compact speaker for everyday use or travel.

Overall, the JBL Boombox is a great choice for those who prioritize sound quality and durability over portability.

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Durability

The JBL Boombox is a highly durable and rugged speaker that is designed to withstand outdoor usage, rain, poolside splashes, and accidental drops without sustaining damage, making it an excellent choice for outdoor activities and events.

The JBL Boombox is a highly durable and rugged speaker that is designed to withstand outdoor usage, rain, poolside splashes, and accidental drops without sustaining damage. It is constructed using a combination of fabric and plastic materials, with rubberized plastic casing and fabric wrapping the speaker tightly.

The Boombox has an IPX7 waterproof rating, which means it can be used in the rain or by the pool without worrying about water damage. Additionally, it has rubber feet that feel sturdier than those on other speakers, and a hard plastic handle for easy transport.

The JBL Boombox has undergone durability testing and has received positive reviews from experts for its build quality and sturdiness. It is recommended that users avoid pressing in the woofers and exposing it to water unnecessarily to ensure its longevity. Overall, the JBL Boombox is an excellent choice for those who need a durable and rugged speaker for outdoor activities, pool parties, and other similar events.

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Connectivity

The JBL Boombox has Bluetooth connectivity with a range of up to 90 feet, voice assistant integration, and can connect up to three devices simultaneously, making it a versatile and powerful speaker option.

The JBL Boombox has Bluetooth connectivity with an outstanding range of up to 90 feet, depending on the environment and obstacles. It does not have Wi-Fi connectivity but supports voice assistant integration with Google Assistant, Siri, and Amazon Alexa.

The JBL Connect+ companion app can map the play button to activate the virtual assistant with a simple voice command. The Boombox can connect up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth 4. 2, making it ideal for parties or gatherings where multiple devices need to connect to the speaker.

It also has USB out ports, a 3. 5mm headphone jack, a Micro USB port, and a power socket at the back, making it versatile for different connectivity needs. Overall, the JBL Boombox is a great option for those looking for a powerful and easy-to-use speaker with excellent connectivity options.

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Additional features

The JBL Boombox is a water-resistant, portable Bluetooth speaker with a built-in microphone, long-lasting battery, powerful bass, and rugged design, making it perfect for outdoor use and events.

The JBL Boombox is a water-resistant portable Bluetooth speaker that is designed for outdoor use and can withstand various weather conditions. It has a built-in microphone that can be used for speakerphone mode and summoning Google or Siri when your smartphone is connected. The JBL Boombox is not compatible with Sonos products or the Sonos app, but it can connect to other JBL Connect Plus compatible speakers through the JBL Connect app.

It has a long-lasting battery, powerful, deep bass, and a rugged, durable design that makes it perfect for outdoor trips and pool parties. The JBL Boombox is one of the biggest portable speakers on the market, weighing in at over 11 pounds and nearly 20 inches long. It is suitable for use in a variety of settings, including outdoor gatherings, pool parties, and other events.

Overall, the JBL Boombox is a great choice for those who want a powerful, durable, and portable speaker for their outdoor adventures.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all portable bluetooth speakers.

Rank Change Price Bluetooth Speaker
TechHive
PCMag
SoundGuys
WIRED
Tom's Guide
Popular Mechanics
Rtings.com
TechRadar
What Hi-Fi
Digital Trends
1
- $167
Sonos Roam 2
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2
8
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1
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4
2
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JBL Charge 5
The JBL Charge 5 is highly praised for its improved sound quality, robust design, and long battery life, though it faces criticism for lacking an AUX port and having connectivity issues with the JBL app.
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1
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6
1
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3
- $100
Beats Pill
The Beats Pill (2024) is praised for its portability, impressive battery life, and robust design, but criticized for sound quality issues at high volumes, lack of EQ settings, and its price point considering the features offered.
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8
3
13
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1
4
- $130
JBL Flip 6
The JBL Flip 6 is a durable and powerful portable Bluetooth speaker with a long battery life, PartyBoost feature, and water and dust resistance.
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6
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3
2
8
Show all rows
JBL Boombox did not receive any endorsements this month.