We've tested 38 JBL speakers. JBL is a well-known brand that offers a wide range of Bluetooth speakers, from small, portable models you can bring with you on the go, like their Flip, Clip, and Go lineups, to much larger and more powerful party speakers from their PartyBox lineup.
Updates
- 07/23/2026JBL Xtreme 5 reviewed
- 07/21/2026JBL Go 5 reviewed
- 02/20/2026JBL PartyBox 720 reviewed
- 01/30/2026JBL Grip reviewed
- 10/23/2025JBL Boombox 4 reviewed
All of our recommendations start with the products we've tested. And, they're backed by in-house experts who ensure unbiased, objective data to help you choose the right speaker.
Want to see how we've tested more than 150 speakers? Our How We Test Speakers article walks you through the entire process: from selecting and purchasing products to testing, reviewing, and publishing our results.
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Best JBL Bluetooth Speaker
MusicOutdoorsBattery Powered:YesSpeakerphone:NoVoice Assistant:NoBluetooth:YesSee all our test resultsWi-Fi:NoThe best JBL Bluetooth speaker we've tested is the JBL Boombox 4. It's one of the brand's largest portable waterproof speakers and has a built-in carry handle to help you lug it around. Add on an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and you have a versatile, all-rounder speaker that excels at home, at the park, or on the go. The speaker also has a 40.3-hour battery that's hot swappable (extras sold separately) and a feature-full app with Auracast, allowing you to link the speaker with other compatible JBL speakers.
Thanks to its relatively balanced sound profile, the speaker reproduces varied content well. Voices and lead instruments reproduce with clarity, and it's easy to follow along with dialogue. If you prefer a different sound, a graphic EQ is available in the JBL Portable app, meaning you can add more bass or brighten up the treble. This speaker gets loud, though as you approach max volume, its bass output falls relative to the treble, causing kicks to start losing punch. If you're looking for a speaker that's more suited for outdoor adventures, check out the JBL Xtreme 5; it's advertised as drop-proof, has two hooks, and a long carrying strap you can loop across your shoulder. It's a bit smaller than the Boombox 4, though, so it won't get as loud or output as much bass.
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Best Upper Mid-Range JBL Speaker
MusicOutdoorsBattery Powered:YesSpeakerphone:NoVoice Assistant:NoBluetooth:YesSee all our test resultsWi-Fi:NoIf you're looking for a more affordable option, consider the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2. JBL designed this portable Bluetooth speaker with parties in mind, but it's still suitable for cranking out your favorite tunes at home. Its stylish design will add excitement to your next event with a circular RGB light ring that you can customize to suit the mood through the JBL PartyBox app. There's even a combined microphone/instrument input that you can use to host a karaoke session and some extra party-centric features through its companion app.
This speaker has an even and balanced sound right out of the box. Voices and lead instruments are clear and present in the mix, and there's plenty of rumble in the bass to bring genres like EDM and hip-hop to life. There's a graphic EQ to switch up its sound and a Bass Boost feature to shake the room with your favorite tunes. This speaker also gets loud, but with just a little over 12 hours of battery life, it doesn't last as long off a single charge as the JBL Boombox 4. And it isn't quite as suitable for outdoor use since it can't float in water. Still, like our top pick, the Encore Essential 2 comes equipped with Auracast, so you can link it to other compatible JBL speakers.
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Best Mid-Range JBL Speaker
MusicOutdoorsBattery Powered:YesSpeakerphone:NoVoice Assistant:NoBluetooth:YesSee all our test resultsWi-Fi:NoThe JBL Charge 6 is another versatile speaker available at a more wallet-friendly price. Available in many different colorways, this stylish speaker is a great choice for listening to everything from music to podcasts to audiobooks. It's compatible with the JBL Portable app, where you can customize its sound with the graphic EQ or pair it with other Auracast-equipped speakers in JBL's lineup to spread sound throughout your room. Given its smaller size, it brings less rumble in the low bass than our larger picks, like the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2.
Of course, the benefit of the Charge 6's smaller size is that it's much easier to toss in a bag or purse. And you can easily carry this speaker in one hand, making it a great choice for your next backyard party or camping trip. It has a sturdy build, and the IP68 rating for dust and water resistance means it can withstand some exposure to the elements. Since it lasts about 14 hours off a single charge, you don't have to worry about running back inside to recharge it often. And you can even use the speaker's USB-C port to charge connected devices like your phone, making this speaker a great camping buddy.
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Best Budget JBL Speaker
MusicOutdoorsBattery Powered:YesSpeakerphone:NoVoice Assistant:NoBluetooth:YesSee all our test resultsWi-Fi:NoThe JBL Clip 5 is an even more affordable alternative if you want an entry-level speaker without breaking the bank. It's also the best JBL portable speaker on the list and, as its name implies, comes with a built-in clip to fasten to your bag or backpack. It's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, which helps it withstand the elements, so it's perfect for a hike or camping trip. This iteration features some improvements over the JBL Clip 4, too, like a graphic EQ and presets in the companion app, as well as support for Bluetooth multi-device pairing.
This speaker offers decent audio performance, especially compared to similarly priced speakers. As you'd expect from the smaller size, it doesn't get as loud or output as much bass as larger entries. Still, it outputs a surprising amount of mid- and high-bass, so kick drums in your favorite country tunes won't sound completely anemic. It's also available in many colors, so you can pick a model that suits your style. It's a great place to start if you're looking for your first speaker. If your plans involve water or going poolside, check out the JBL Go 5. The Go 5 sounds more shrill and doesn't have a clip, but it floats in water and has a better IP68 water resistance rating.
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Best JBL Speaker For Parties
MusicOutdoorsBattery Powered:YesSpeakerphone:NoVoice Assistant:NoBluetooth:YesSee all our test resultsWi-Fi:NoIf you love hosting events, you'll want a powerful party speaker like the JBL PartyBox 310. Though officially superseded by the JBL PartyBox Stage 320 in JBL's lineup, the 310 performs nearly the same and can usually be found cheaper. It offers great sound quality right out of the box, with a deep and extended low bass to ensure that genres like EDM and hip-hop come with lots of thump and rumble. You can use its Bass Boost feature to pump up the bass or the full graphic EQ in its companion app to customize its output across the range. Like any good party speaker, it gets super loud, too.
This speaker has some extra features to help liven up your next event. You can connect a microphone and guitar to sing along with your favorite music, and its customizable RGB lights help set the mood. The JBL PartyBox app also gives you access to a graphic EQ, karaoke effects, and DJ effects. It's a large speaker, but some parties require oodles of thump, rumble, and oomph. If you're hosting a big event, the JBL PartyBox 720 could be just the ticket. It delivers a louder, bassier, and even more balanced sound than our pick, and it's also battery powered. But it's very large and very heavy. For most people, the JBL PartyBox 310 offers the best balance of size, output, and price.
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Best JBL Home Speaker
MusicOutdoorsBattery Powered:NoSpeakerphone:NoVoice Assistant:YesBluetooth:YesSee all our test resultsWi-Fi:YesIf you only plan to listen to music at home, the JBL Authentics 500 is worth a look. This sleek and stylish speaker boasts a retro design inspired by classic JBL speakers with many modern features built inside. For example, you can control the speaker using Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously, which is cool if you want to switch between platform-specific features. This speaker supports Bluetooth, but it's wired-only, so you'll have to keep it plugged in while you listen to all your favorite tunes.
As with other premium home speakers, this model has a room correction feature designed to optimize its sound based on your room's unique acoustics. With room correction on, the speaker reproduces voices and instruments in all your favorite tracks with clarity, though overemphasis in the low-mids can muddy basslines and lower-pitched vocals. Thankfully, you have access to a graphic EQ to adjust their sound to taste. If you have a smaller room, the JBL Authentics 200 is a good alternative. It's smaller, so it doesn't get as loud as the 500, but it still offers many of the same features for less.
Compared To Other Brands
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Bluetooth-compatible.
The JBL speakers we've tested support Bluetooth connectivity, so you can wirelessly pair them with Bluetooth-compatible devices, like your smartphone or laptop.
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Well-balanced sound profile.
The JBL speakers we've tested tend to have a balanced sound profile suitable for listening to a wide variety of music genres and audio content. They reproduce vocals and lead instruments clearly.
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Well-built, portable design.
Most of the JBL speakers we've tested offer a solid, durable build quality and have IP ratings for water resistance. They're also battery-powered, so you can bring them outdoors without worrying about finding an outlet to plug them into.
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Limited built-in voice assistant support.
Only a handful of JBL speakers include built-in voice assistant capabilities. However, many models allow you to use the voice assistant from your paired smartphone.
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Limited sound customization options.
Most of JBL's newer speakers, especially mid-range and high-end models, have a graphic EQ in JBL's companion apps. However, most older or entry-level models lack this feature, and even speakers with EQ access tend to offer only basic tuning options.
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Some models lack low bass.
If you love listening to bass-heavy music like EDM and hip-hop, you'll want a speaker with a thumpy low bass. Some of JBL's more portable models struggle to reproduce deep rumbles, though this is more of a physical driver limitation.
JBL vs Sonos
Sonos and JBL are both popular speaker manufacturers, though they address different market segments. Sonos speakers are on the higher end of the market, designed to fit into the brand's existing ecosystem of audio products. Meanwhile, JBL's speakers are generally more outdoor-oriented, and you can find budget-friendly portable models and high-end party speakers in their lineup.
JBL vs Bose
Bose is another speaker manufacturer geared toward making smart speakers, though they also have a few outdoor-oriented models in their lineup. The manufacturer is known for its signature sound, though generally speaking, Bose speakers aren't as customizable as other models on the market. Meanwhile, JBL sells everything from premium party speakers to budget Bluetooth speakers without as many integrated smart features for hands-free control.
JBL vs Sony
Sony and JBL are similar in many ways. They each produce a wide array of speakers at both ends of the market, so you can find large speakers for crowded parties and small Bluetooth speakers to bring on the go. Their devices are pretty customizable in terms of sound, though they don't offer many smart features like built-in voice assistant support. That said, out of the box, JBL speakers tend to have a more even sound than Sony's speakers.
JBL manufactures a wide array of speakers, but most of their models are portable Bluetooth speakers designed for use on the go. With solid, sturdy builds and IP ratings for dust and water resistance, they're ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. You can also find party speakers with some extra features and a line designed for home use with built-in voice assistants. The brand also makes other products like headphones.
Lineup
JBL manufactures a wide array of speakers for a variety of different uses.
Portable Bluetooth Speakers
- Boombox series: Higher-end portable speakers
- Charge series: Mid-range portable waterproof speakers with a power bank
- Clip series: Budget-friendly ultra-portable waterproof speakers
- Flip series: Mid-range portable waterproof speakers
- Go series: Budget-friendly waterproof speakers
- JR series: Kid-friendly portable speakers
- Pulse series: Portable speakers with built-in LED lights
- Xtreme series: Mid-range portable waterproof speakers
- Soundgear series: Wearable speakers that sit on your neck
Home Speakers
- Authentics series: Premium portable smart speakers
- C series: In-ceiling and in-wall loudspeakers
- Control series: Indoor/outdoor speakers
- Horizon series: Bluetooth clock radio speakers
- Link series: Voice-activated speakers
- Stage series: Loudspeakers
Party Speakers
- PartyBox series: Bluetooth speakers with built-in lights
Recent Updates
Jul 31, 2026:
We've updated the article with newer versions of products like the JBL Xtreme 5 and JBL Go 5. Additionally, we've removed the Lower Mid-Range pick as its price overlapped with our Mid-Range pick. We've also made changes so this recommendation accurately represent our Test Bench 1.0 results.
Apr 30, 2026:
We added the JBL PartyBox 720 as an alternative to the JBL PartyBox 310 for anyone looking for a larger and louder party speaker.
Feb 04, 2026:
The JBL Boombox 4 replaces the JBL Boombox 3 as our top pick for its longer battery life and swappable battery pack. Similarly, the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 has a longer battery life than the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential, making it our new mid-range pick. Finally, the JBL Charge 6 and JBL Flip 7 replace the JBL Charge 5 and JBL Flip 6, respectively, for their improved waterproofing and bass response.
May 12, 2025:
We've checked that all our picks are still accurate and in stock, but we haven't changed them.
Feb 12, 2025:
We've replaced the JBL Flip 4 with the JBL Flip 6 as the former has been discontinued. We also updated the text for clarity and accuracy.
Conclusion
If you're looking for the best JBL speaker, you'll have plenty to choose from: they offer a wide range of speakers tailored to different needs, from small, compact portable speakers ideal for taking on the go to larger, more powerful party speakers. Generally, JBL speakers have balanced sound profiles, but some of their smaller, more portable speakers don't reproduce much low bass. Many of their offerings also allow you to adjust their sound with a graphic EQ via one of their companion apps, but their customization options tend to be fairly simple.