Journal
PartyBox vs portable: what's the difference?
JBL makes two very different kinds of speaker. Portables like the JBL Go 4 and the JBL Flip 7 go everywhere with you. PartyBox speakers like the JBL PartyBox 130 are built to be the centre of a party. Here's how they differ, so you can pick the one that fits your life.
Size
A portable fits in a bag, or even a pocket. The Go 4 weighs just 0.19 kg and the Flip 7 0.826 kg.
A PartyBox is closer to a piece of furniture. The PartyBox 130 weighs 11.3 kg, and the JBL PartyBox 330 weighs 17.1 kg. Make sure you have a spot for it at home.
Sound and bass
More size means more sound. The Flip 7 puts out 35 W, while the PartyBox 130 gives you 200 W.
Bass is where you'll notice the difference most. The lower a speaker's bass reaches, the more you feel the beat. The Flip 7 goes down to 60 Hz, and the PartyBox 130 goes down to 40 Hz.
A portable is great for background music and a small group. A PartyBox is made to fill a room and get people dancing, and it adds a light show. Most PartyBox models also have mic and guitar inputs, like the PartyBox 130.
Battery
Both kinds run on battery, so you're not tied to a socket. The Go 4 plays for up to 7 hours, the Flip 7 up to 14 hours, and the PartyBox 130 up to 15 hours.
The PartyBox 130 and 330 also have replaceable batteries, which helps on a long day out.
Carry or roll
Portables are made to be carried. The Go 4 has a carry loop, and the Flip 7 takes interchangeable carry accessories.
Bigger PartyBox speakers are made to be moved, not carried far. The PartyBox 130 has a foldable handle. The PartyBox 330 and the JBL PartyBox 720 have wheels, so you can roll them from the house to the garden.
Water resistance
Both kinds handle a splash, but the portables are tougher. The Go 4 is rated IP67 and the Flip 7 IP68, which makes them the better choice for beach and pool days. The PartyBox speakers are rated IPX4, so keep them out of the rain and away from the pool edge.
Which one should you get?
- Choose a portable if you want music wherever you go: trips, the beach, your desk, your room.
- Choose a PartyBox if you host parties, sing karaoke or want sound that fills the whole house. Playing guitar? Pick a model with a guitar input, like the PartyBox 130.
- Can't decide? Some people get one of each: a portable for every day and a PartyBox for the weekend.
Still weighing them up? Compare the Flip 7 and the PartyBox 130 side by side.
More guides
Auracast explained: linking JBL speakers
What Auracast does, which of our JBL speakers support it, and when two speakers are better than one.
Karaoke at home: choosing a JBL karaoke speaker
Mics in the box or mic inputs, room size and crowd: what to look for in a JBL karaoke speaker.
Which JBL speaker is right for you?
Start with where and how you'll play your music, and the right JBL speaker becomes much easier to pick.