Audio & Headphones · Head-to-head
JBL PartyBox 720 vs SOUNDBOKS 4
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full Which Party Speaker Should You Buy? 8 Compared comparison.
The JBL PartyBox 720 is the most complete large-party speaker - deep bass, big output, a real light show, and battery-or-AC flexibility, all on wheels. The SOUNDBOKS 4 is the pick if portability, ruggedness, and all-day battery matter more than lights.
JBL PartyBox 720
Buy itThe most complete big-party all-rounder: huge sound, real bass, and it rolls to the party on its own wheels.
- Big woofers deliver deep, room-filling low end that independent testing consistently ranks among the best in its class
- Runs on battery or AC, so it works off-grid and need not die mid-set at a longer party
- Built-in wheels and a sturdy handle make its considerable weight manageable
- Elaborate synced light show plus mic and instrument inputs for karaoke or a small performance
- Heavy and bulky - you roll it, you don't casually carry it up stairs
- Battery life at high volume is measured in hours, not the marathon a SOUNDBOKS delivers
SOUNDBOKS 4
Buy itThe go-anywhere loudness king - lighter than the other big boxes, brutally loud, and it runs all day on swappable batteries.
- Rated up to 126 dB - owners and independent testing agree it cuts through open air and large crowds like nothing else its size
- Swappable battery packs are rated up to 40 hours at mid volume (about 6 at full), and a fresh pack keeps it going
- IP65-rated electronics, a powder-coated steel grille, and silicone corners make it the most rugged, throw-it-in-the-van big box here
- At roughly half the weight of the other big boxes, it is the only full-size one you can realistically carry to a beach or festival site
- No light show and no included mic; it has XLR/TRS inputs for a mic or guitar, but it is a loudspeaker first, not a party-in-a-box
- Bass is punchy and tight rather than the deep sub-rumble the JBL and Sony can produce
Side by side
The 7 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| JBL PartyBox 720 Our pick | SOUNDBOKS 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Anyone who wants one speaker that does loud outdoor parties, karaoke, and deep bass without compromise. | Festivals, beaches, and off-grid events where portability, ruggedness, and raw volume matter more than lights or gimmicks. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$$ · premium |
| Loudness / SPL headroom | Very high, fills large yards | Up to 126 dB in open air |
| Bass depth & impact | Deep, big woofers | Punchy and tight, less sub-rumble |
| Portability & transport | Wheels + handle, heavy but rolls | 35.5 lb (about 16 kg), true carry-anywhere |
| Durability / weather | Splash-resistant; check current rating | IP65 electronics, steel grille, silicone corners |
| Party features | Big light show, mic + guitar in, app | No lights; mic/guitar inputs, app EQ |
| Battery life | Built-in, several hours at volume | Up to 40h at mid volume, swappable packs |
| Best setting | Large outdoor parties | Festivals, beaches, off-grid |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the JBL PartyBox 720 if
anyone who wants one speaker that does loud outdoor parties, karaoke, and deep bass without compromise.
Know before buying: heavy and bulky - you roll it, you don't casually carry it up stairs.
Pick the SOUNDBOKS 4 if
festivals, beaches, and off-grid events where portability, ruggedness, and raw volume matter more than lights or gimmicks.
Know before buying: no light show and no included mic; it has XLR/TRS inputs for a mic or guitar, but it is a loudspeaker first, not a party-in-a-box.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the JBL PartyBox 720 - The most complete big-party all-rounder: huge sound, real bass, and it rolls to the party on its own wheels. Choose the SOUNDBOKS 4 instead if festivals, beaches, and off-grid events where portability, ruggedness, and raw volume matter more than lights or gimmicks.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete Which Party Speaker Should You Buy? 8 Compared.