The JBL PartyBox 110 is a big party speaker with customizable RGB lights and a similar design to its predecessor, the JBL PartyBox 100. This portable speaker is battery-powered and comes with two built-in handles to help with carrying it. With its 'Bass Boost' feature set to '1', it has a somewhat boomy sound profile, with a balanced mid-range that ensures vocals and lead instruments sound clear and present in the mix. If you like having more control over your speaker's sound profile, there's a graphic EQ in its companion app to adjust its sound. It can also get loud enough to fill a large crowded room and has a long-lasting battery life making it suitable for long listening sessions.
Our Verdict
The JBL PartyBox 110 is satisfactory for music. This party speaker can get loud enough to fill a large crowded room. With its 'Bass Boost' feature set to '1', it has a somewhat boomy sound profile overall, with a balanced mid-range, so vocals and lead instruments are clearly reproduced in the mix. That said, it lacks some rumble in the low bass. There's also compression present at max volume, so your audio doesn't sound as clean at louder volumes.
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Gets loud.
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Mic and guitar inputs.
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Compression present at max volume.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is alright for videos and movies. With 'Bass Boost' set to '1', it has a somewhat boomy sound profile, meaning you can hear the punch in action-packed scenes, and it can also get pretty loud. That said, there's some compression present at max volume, so your audio doesn't sound as clean at louder volumes. It also has somewhat high Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices, which can cause syncing issues between audio and visuals. However, some apps compensate for latency differently, and your experience may differ.
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Gets loud.
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Compression present at max volume.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is satisfactory for podcasts. It can be paired to two devices at once, which is handy for switching between audio sources. It can also get pretty loud, though there's some compression at max volume that can affect the clarity of your audio during louder listening sessions. That said, with 'Bass Boost' set to '1', it has a balanced mid-range, so voices and dialogue sound clear and present in the mix. You can also turn the 'Bass Boost' feature off when you want to tone down the bass in your audio.
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Gets loud.
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Can be paired to two devices at once.
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Compression present at max volume.
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Narrow soundstage.
The JBL PartyBox 110 doesn't support voice assistants.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is decent for outdoor use. When the flaps protecting its inputs are tightly sealed, this well-built speaker is rated IPX4 for water resistance, which certifies it to be protected against small splashes of water. It also has an incredible, long-lasting battery life, suitable for long listening sessions. With its 'Bass Boost' feature set to '1', it has a somewhat boomy sound profile and can get incredibly loud, making it suitable to use at parties. That said, there's some compression present at max volume, so your audio doesn't sound as clean at louder volumes.
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Gets loud.
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IPX4 rating for water resistance.
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Mic and guitar inputs.
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Compression present at max volume.
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Large and heavy.
- 7.5 Music
- 6.5 Videos/Movies
- 7.4 Podcasts
- 2.9 Voice Assistant
- 7.7 Outdoors
- Updated Aug 26, 2024: We've added a comparison between this speaker and the Sony ULT FIELD 7 in Portability.
- Updated Jul 15, 2024: We've added a comparison between this speaker and the Anker Soundcore Rave Neo 2 in Portability.
- Updated Jun 07, 2024: We've added a comparison between this speaker and the JBL PartyBox Club 120Battery.
- Updated Feb 02, 2024: Added market comparison with the Klipsch GIG XXL in the Build Quality box.
- Updated Aug 21, 2023: Updated the Portability picture for greater clarity and consistency between reviews.
- Updated Aug 31, 2022: Added a comparison with the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential in the 'Portability' and 'Frequency Response Accuracy' boxes.
- Updated Jun 06, 2022: Updated review and test results to include graphic EQ with new firmware update.
- Updated Nov 11, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Nov 08, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Oct 27, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Oct 27, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Sep 24, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The JBL PartyBox 110 comes in one color variant: Black. You can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across other variants of the JBL PartyBox 110, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Speakers
The JBL PartyBox 110 is a large portable party speaker with a similar design to other speakers from JBL's PartyBox lineup and is the next generation of the JBL PartyBox 100. Like other PartyBox speakers we've tested, it comes with customizable RGB lights, as well as mic and guitar inputs that you can use to connect an external microphone and guitar to the speaker. It can get remarkably loud, though there's some compression present at max volume that can affect the clarity of your audio at louder volumes. Unlike its predecessor, the PartyBox 110 is rated IPX4 for water resistance when it's placed vertically, and the flaps protecting its inputs are sealed, meaning it can withstand small splashes of water. It's even compatible with the JBL PartyBox app, which you can use to access its graphic EQ, and extra DJ and light show effects.
See also our recommendations for the best speakers for parties, the best Bluetooth speakers for bass, and the loudest Bluetooth speakers.
While the JBL Boombox 3 is on the larger side for a portable speaker, the JBL PartyBox 110, as its name suggests, is better suited for parties. It's a fair bit heavier and bulkier than the Boombox 3, so you won't be hauling it around on weekend trips. The Boombox 3 is also better built and has a much longer battery life, reinforcing its superiority as a portable option. That said, when it comes to getting bodies moving, the PartyBox 110 can get a fair bit louder, and it comes with a customizable RGB light show. Its default sound profile is also capable of reproducing basslines well, thanks to its prominent high-bass. That said, neither speaker is capable of outputting much in the way of deep, rumbly low-bass.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is better for music than the Sony SRS-XP500. They're both party-oriented speakers with lots of flashy add-ons, such as customizable RGB lights and mic and guitar inputs. However, the JBL reproduces a touch more bass, and it gets louder overall.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is a better speaker than the Klipsch GIG XXL. The JBL is a more premium speaker with a better build quality and an IP rating for water resistance. Its battery life is longer-lasting, and it can reproduce more low bass. Plus, it has a companion app with a graphic EQ, unlike the Klipsch.
There's not too much to split the JBL PartyBox 110 and the JBL PartyBox Club 120. They're both similarly sized party speakers with RGB lightshows and bass-heavy sound profiles. They're pretty evenly matched in almost every regard, as both are well-built with IPX4 ratings against splash damage and get similarly loud. However, the PartyBox 110 has a longer continuous battery life. That said, the PartyBox Club 120 features a swappable battery pack design, so you can replace an empty battery immediately without waiting for it to recharge.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is a better speaker than the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential. The 110 can get slightly louder with less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. It has better directivity, resulting in a wider and more open-sounding soundstage. It also has a longer-lasting battery life of almost 15 hours, making it better suited to longer listening sessions. It also comes with mic and guitar inputs. That said, the Encore packs the same amount of bass at a much smaller size and more at a more affordable price point. It still gets quite loud. While it doesn't come with a guitar input, you can still wire a mic to the speaker via its mic input.
You may prefer either the Sony SRS-XP700 or the JBL PartyBox 110, depending on your listening habits. With its 'Bass Boost' feature set to '1', the JBL has a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a more extended low-bass than the Sony. It's also smaller and lighter, making it more portable. That said, the Sony is compatible with Sony's Fiestable app, which you can use to access and control extra party features of this speaker.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL PartyBox 110 or the JBL Boombox 2. The PartyBox 110 is a large party speaker with customizable RGB lights, mic and guitar inputs, DJ effects, and karaoke settings. It can also produce a more extended low-bass than the Boombox 2. However, the Boombox 2 is smaller and lighter, making it more portable. It's better-built, and has an incredible battery life, lasting almost 24 hours from a single charge in our tests, though this can vary depending on your usage. It can also be paired to multiple other PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is a better speaker than the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go. The PartyBox 110 has a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a more extended low-bass, and it can get a bit louder with less compression present at max volume. It's compatible with the JBL PartyBox app and has a longer-lasting 14.7-hour battery life, though battery performance can vary depending on your usage. That said, the On-The-Go is smaller and lighter, making it more portable.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is a better speaker for most uses than the JBL Xtreme 3. The Xtreme 3 is lighter, more portable, and better built. It's better suited for the outdoors, whether you're going camping or enjoying an afternoon at the park. That said, the PartyBox 110 can get quite a bit louder, has a wider soundstage, and has a more balanced sound with plenty of bass on tap. So if portability isn't a factor, it's a better fit for playing music at parties, podcasts, and movies.
The JBL PartyBox 310 is a better speaker than the JBL PartyBox 110. The PartyBox 310 can produce a more extended low bass and can get louder than the PartyBox 110. It has a longer-lasting battery life of over 17 hours from a single charge, which can vary depending on your usage. It also has a built-in telescopic handle and wheels to help transport it. That said, the PartyBox 110 is smaller, making it more portable.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is a slightly better speaker than the JBL PartyBox 100. The PartyBox 110 can produce a more extended low-bass and is better-built with an IPX4 rating for water resistance, certifying it to be protected from small splashes of water. It has a longer-lasting battery life, though this can vary depending on your usage. It's also compatible with the JBL PartyBox app. The PartyBox 100 is a bit smaller, lighter, and can get louder with less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes.
The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the JBL PartyBox 110, though they have different strengths. The Ultimate Ears can get as loud as the JBL, though it has significantly less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. It's also smaller and lighter, making it easier to carry with you when you're on the go. That said, the JBL can produce a more extended low-bass out-of-the-box and comes with many party features like customizable RGB lights, mic and guitar input, and DJ effects.
The JBL PartyBox 710 is a better speaker than the JBL PartyBox 110. The 710 is a larger speaker that can get louder than the 110. It can produce a more extended low-bass, meaning you can feel the deep thump and rumble in bass-heavy music like EDM. The 110 is much more portable thanks to its smaller size and lighter weight.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is a slightly better speaker than the JBL PartyBox 300. The 110 offers a wider-sounding soundstage and a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a more extended low-bass. It's better-built and is compatible with the PartyBox app, which you can use to access extra party features of this speaker, like DJ effects and karaoke settings. It's also smaller and lighter, making it more portable. However, the 300 can get louder with less compression at max volume. It also has a longer-lasting battery life, though this can vary depending on your usage.
The JBL PartyBox 110 and the Anker Soundcore Rave 2 Neo are both party-oriented speakers with built-in RGB light shows. When it comes to bringing the party, it's tough to beat the JBL, though this does come with a more premium price tag. The two speakers are similar when it comes to build quality and battery life (both clock in at around 14 hours), but the similarities mostly end here. The JBL is quite a bit heavier and less portable but packs more of a low-end punch. It's also got a bit more emphasis in the high-end, whereas the Anker is recessed in this range, resulting in more present vocals and lead instruments. While the JBL has better directivity, surprisingly, there's not too much of a difference between the two speakers' max volumes. The JBL compresses quite a bit less at max volume, though. If you need the extra bass and want purer audio at a higher volume, the JBL is worth the additional outlay.
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 and the JBL PartyBox 110 are similarly loud speakers that are equipped with party-centric features, like RGB lights and mic/guitar inputs for karaoke. That said, the Sony is much more portable and features an IP67 rating, so it can be submerged in water, whereas, the JBL is only IPX4 rated for water resistance. If portability and build quality aren't big factors and you mainly plan on using it at home, the JBL will be a better choice, though. It features a similarly bass-heavy frequency response while still retaining clarity in the mids and highs. Its max volume is similar to the Sony too, but there's significantly less compression. It also has a slightly longer battery life and better directivity. Those who plan on pairing their speaker to soundtrack movies and videos might be swayed by the Sony's lower latency with iOS and Android devices, though, which results in a more lag-free listening experience.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is a better party speaker than the SOUNDBOKS Go. The JBL reproduces more low-bass, so you feel the rumble in bass-heavy genres like hip-hop and EDM. It comes with some extra features, like customizable RGB lights as well as mic and guitar inputs for karaoke sessions. While it's a bit bigger than the SOUNDBOKS, its telescopic handle means it's still pretty easy to transport.
Test Results
The JBL PartyBox 110 is a big party speaker that you can place horizontally or vertically, and you can also mount it on a tripod pole. It comes with four customizable RGB light rings surrounding its drivers that can sync to the beat of your audio, as well as two white strobe lights on its sides. There's also a groove atop the speaker, which you can use to place a phone or tablet.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is reasonably portable. It's battery-powered, so you don't have to keep it connected to a power outlet for it to work, and it has two handles to help with carrying it. However, it's large and heavy, so it isn't easy to carry around with you. For a more portable party speaker, check out the much smaller JBL PartyBox Encore Essential. Sony ULT FIELD 7 or the Anker Soundcore Rave Neo 2.
The JBL PartyBox 110 is decently built. It feels solid, is mostly made of plastic, and there's a metal grille protecting its drivers. Overall, its materials feel more premium than that of more budget-centric party speakers like the Klipsch GIG XXL. There are rubber feet on its sides and on its bottom to place it either horizontally or vertically. It also comes with two rubberized slip-proof handles to help with carrying and two thick rubber flaps to protect its inputs. When placed vertically and when these flaps are tightly sealed, this speaker is rated IPX4 for water resistance, certifying it to be protected from small water splashes. There's a cover underneath it for its mounting hole so you can mount it to a tripod stand, which you can purchase from the manufacturer.
The JBL PartyBox 110 has rubberized controls that are easy to use. There's a button on each dial atop the speaker that you can use to turn the lights on/off and to play/pause your audio. You can double-press the play button to skip your track and triple-press it to backtrack. You can also switch between the different RGB light effects by turning the dial and pressing the button atop it for two seconds to enable and disable strobe lights. The RGB lights at the front also display its volume level as you adjust the volume.
There's a Bluetooth pairing button, a power button, and a Bass Boost button to bump up the bass in your audio, which has three different settings: Off, Level 1, and Level 2. There's a small LED bar underneath the power button to indicate its remaining battery level. You also can use the TWS button on the rear of the JBL PartyBox 110 to connect the PartyBox to another compatible speaker when you want to create a stereo pair. Also, there are Mic and Guitar inputs, each with volume and gain knobs.
The JBL PartyBox 110's frequency response accuracy is decent. It has a somewhat boomy sound profile that can please fans of bass-heavy music like hip-hop and EDM. The rest of its sound profile is fairly balanced, making it suitable for listening to a wide range of audio content, and you can tweak its sound to your liking using the graphic EQ in its companion app. It lacks some low-bass, so you can't feel the deep thump and rumble in bass-heavy music like EDM or hip-hop. If you're looking for a PartyBox speaker that can produce a more extended low-bass, consider the JBL PartyBox 710. That said, if you're looking for a smaller and more portable PartyBox speaker that can produce a low-bass that's as deep and thumpy, check out the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential.
Note: We performed our sound tests with the JBL PartyBox 110's 'Bass Boost' feature set to '1'. We also placed the speaker vertically since it doesn't adjust the left and right channels when placed horizontally, causing the channel separation to be heard as coming from the top and bottom instead of from the left and right.
The JBL PartyBox 110 has a decent soundstage performance, though it may be perceived as narrow and directional-sounding. When placed vertically, you can clearly distinguish between this stereo speaker's left and right channels. However, it doesn't adjust these channels when placed horizontally, so the channel separation can be heard coming from the top and bottom instead of from the left and right.
The JBL PartyBox 110 has a good dynamics performance. It can get pretty loud, making it suitable to use at parties. Its volume also increases by around 2dB when connected to a power source. That said, there's some compression present at max volume that can affect the clarity of your audio during louder listening sessions.
Note: The test results above represent the JBL PartyBox 110's dynamics while operating on battery power since we expect most users to use the PartyBox 110 wirelessly.
The JBL PartyBox 110's battery performance is superb. In our tests, with its lights turned off, it lasted up to almost 15 hours on a single charge, making it suitable for long listening sessions. With its lights turned on and set to its default mode, it lasts up to 12 hours. The PartyBox 110 also enters standby mode once it's been left inactive for 20 minutes. However, it lacks a swappable battery pack design like the JBL PartyBox Club 120.
Like the JBL PartyBox 310, the PartyBox 110 is compatible with the JBL PartyBox app. You can use it to access its DJ effects, and also to control and customize its RGB lights. You can see a video sample of its light effects here.
There's a graphic EQ to tweak the JBL PartyBox 110's sound profile to your liking. You can use the app to turn its stereo pair mode on and off. You can also use the app to access karaoke settings that allow you to adjust the bass, treble, and echo on an external microphone connected to the speaker.
The JBL PartyBox 110 features an AUX input which you can use to wire your devices to the speaker, as well as an AUX output. There are separate mic and guitar inputs, each with volume and gain knobs, which may please musicians and karaoke-lovers. However, it doesn't support USB Audio since you can't use its USB port to wire devices like your laptop to the speaker. That said, you can still use the port to playback your audio from a USB stick, though the manufacturer says it only supports .mp3, .wma, and .wav files. You can even use it to charge other devices like your phone.
The JBL PartyBox 110 has good Bluetooth connectivity. It can be paired to up to two devices at once, which is handy if you ever need to quickly switch between audio sources. It also has excellent range, so your paired device remains connected to the speaker, even when it isn't close to it. Unfortunately, the JBL PartyBox 110 has somewhat high latency with iOS and Android devices, which can cause syncing issues between audio and visuals, so it isn't suitable for watching videos and movies over this connection. That said, some apps compensate for latency differently, so your experience may differ.