JBL Boombox 3: While JBL released the new Boombox 4 for 2025, the third-generation Boombox 3 is still an excellent boom box and costs about $100 less, making it arguably a better value. It doesn’t play as loud or produce as much bass as the Boombox 4, and it has a lower power rating, especially when running without battery power (it plays louder when plugged in). But it produces a balanced sound that is not as aggressive as the sound of the Boombox 4, which some people may prefer.
Anker Soundcore Motion X600: Anker’s Soundcore Motion X600 mini box not only has a good look and sound with a metal grille and carrying handle, but also includes interesting features such as surround sound and support for Sony’s LDAC audio codec. It sounds impressive for its compact size and represents good value. Weighing in at 4.2 pounds (1.9 kg), it’s hefty, but light enough to carry without feeling like you’re exercising. It’s equipped with five drivers, including two woofers, two tweeters and one full-range driver, firing up a “unique speaker combined with Soundcore’s audio algorithm and DSP to help create a wider (and longer) sound stage for listening to any type of music,” according to Anker.
JBL Partybox 110: The predecessor to JBL’s Partybox Club 120, the PartyBox 110 is not a step down and usually costs $50 less than the Club 120. Like the Club 120, it packs a heavy punch (the two speakers have the same sound, but the Club 120 has a replaceable battery and Bluetooth while the integrated handle and Bluetooth 51 and the Bluetooth 51.4 handle to hold speaker.The PartyBox 110 is very tall, weighing 23 pounds and measuring more than 22 inches tall.
Tribit Stormbox Blast: Tribit is known for its affordable, compact Bluetooth speakers that deliver excellent sound quality and features for the price. Its new Stormbox Blast speaker is its first Bluetooth boom box speaker, and it delivers impressive sound for its size and has a built-in light display and USB-out charging. With the new and more powerful Stormbox Blast 2 available, the price of this model often drops to less than $150.
Ultimate Ears Hyperboom: Hyberboom has been out for 5 years and is still a great sounding Bluetooth speaker. I compared it to the old JBL Boombox 2. For outdoor use, I gave a nod to the JBL design. Both speakers weigh 13 to 14 pounds, but the JBL is a little more natural to carry. It has a handle and a tubular design — it looks like it’s for the outdoors. The Hyperboom has a thick rubber strap, and it feels like you’re holding a big jar of something really solid. It’s boxy and understated, and looks a little at home inside. While I prefer the JBL design, the Hyperboom is a better sounding Bluetooth speaker overall. It has a wider soundstage with more bass and clarity. It also feels a little natural. I also like that it has both an auxiliary input and an optical input along with a USB output port for charging devices.
Soundcore by Anker Rave Party 2: Although it costs more than Tribit’s Stormbox Blast, the 11.7-pound Rave Party 2 is an attractively designed speaker and arguably sounds a little better. Its two 4-inch woofers and two 2-inch tweeters deliver powerful, punchy sound with enough volume to fill large rooms (the Tribit’s bass goes a little deeper but I was more than satisfied with this speaker’s low-end capabilities). For even bigger sound, you can wirelessly connect Rave Party 2 to multiple other Soundcore speakers that support the company’s PartyCast 2.0 feature.
Soundcore by Anker Motion Boom Plus: Although it is a few years old, the Motion Boom Plus is still sold at a very good price, although the Boom 2 Plus is superior and not so expensive. It weighs 5.29 pounds (about a pound more than the Motion Boom — see below), uses Bluetooth 5.3 and is equipped with two advanced 3.5-inch woofers and two 1-inch tweeters, delivering a sound output of up to 80 watts (60 watts for the woofers and 20 tweeters). Battery life is rated at 20 hours at moderate volume levels. It’s also IP67 waterproof and dustproof and floats if you happen to drop it in water.
Sondcore by Anker Motion Boom: Anker’s more expensive Soundcore Motion Boom Plus (see above) is a significant sound upgrade over the original Motion Boom but this model remains an excellent box for the money. Equipped with a handle and weighing a little over 4 pounds, the speaker reminds me of one of those large flashlights or “floating lights” that were in vogue about 30 years ago. For the record, the Motion Boom actually floats and is fully waterproof with an IPX7 rating.
Sony SRS-XG500: The SRS-XG500 is the predecessor to Sony’s new ULT Field 7 and is designed to compete with the JBL Boombox 2 (and more recently the Boombox 3). They are the same price and the same size, and both feature an integrated handle. The Sony is small but weighs less than 12.34 pounds (5.6 kg). I went back and compared the sound of the two speakers. I liked the sound of the JBL a little because it just sounds clearer with better details, but the Sony puts out more bass. It has a warm, dynamic sound quality that some people may like. ULT Field 7 sounds much better.