I picked up the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential on Prime Day for $200 (retail is $300), and I’d buy it again in a heartbeat. If you’re into hip-hop, EDM, or any music with deep bass—this thing hits. It’s loud, rich, and doesn’t rattle, even at full volume.

What You’ll Love:

• Massive sound that easily fills a house or large backyard.

• Bass boost button (though I barely notice the difference—it’s thumpy either way).

• Waterproof and rugged, perfect for outdoors or even a rainy day.

• Easy to carry with a built-in handle—much more portable than other speakers this size.

• Pairs with other JBL devices for multi-speaker setups.

Downsides:

• Battery life isn’t great—around 3 hours on full volume with bass boost, or 5–6 hours at moderate use. Plug it in for parties.

• The light show is a bit much, but you can turn it off.

  It’s not the most high-end battery-wise, but for sound quality, build, and portability, it punches way above its price. I’m picky about audio gear, and this is one I highly recommend.