JBL PartyBox Encore Essential review: Still worth it in 2025?

The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential is one of JBL’s more compact portable party speakers, built for those who want the brand’s signature light show in a more manageable form, or as an extension to a larger PartyBox setup. While the Encore Essential boasts 100W of output and a wired mic input, it’s a few years old now. So, let’s find out if this portable cube still has what it takes to get the party started in our JBL PartyBox Encore Essential review.

What I like about the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential

The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential sticks to the familiar design with the rest of the JBL PartyBox lineup, but trims things down into a more portable, shorter, cube-like form. It weighs 5.9kg (13 lbs), so it’s still a bit hefty, but thanks to its built-in handle, it’s easy to move from room to room. On the outside, the enclosure is made from a tough plastic shell that feels pretty solid in the hand. While it’s not exactly rugged in the outdoor speaker sense, it does carry an IPX4 rating, meaning it can handle light splashes, so it’s safe around the pool or during a light rain, as long as it doesn’t take a dip. No underwater parties allowed.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a JBL PartyBox without some cool lighting effects. Behind the front grille, a single ring-shaped LED light around the main woofer pulses and glows in sync with your music. It’s a scaled-down version of what you’d see on larger PartyBox models, but it still adds a fun, visual element to any party setup. Up top are physical buttons for power, Bluetooth pairing, playback control, Bass Boost, and lighting effects. Around the back, the rubber-sealed I/O panel houses a USB-A port for playback, a 3.5mm aux input, and a 1/4″ mic input. A nice bonus if you want to throw in some karaoke or host an event.

The JBL PartyBox app offers genuinely useful tools to customize both the sound and lighting effects of the PartyBox Encore Essential, so I highly recommend downloading it. You’ll also use the app to connect the Encore Essential to other compatible PartyBox units. And if your party turns into a karaoke session, JBL includes basic microphone EQ options and a touch of reverb to help elevate just about anyone’s vocal performance.

When it comes to sound quality, the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential isn’t particularly impressive in its stock form, but activating Bass Boost makes a world of difference and really brings it to life. Listening to “Rainbow in the Dark” by Dio, I preferred the “Punchy” setting over “Deep,” since the latter tends to bury guitars and midrange instruments under too much bass. Still, I knew the speaker had more potential.

Diving into the 3-band EQ lets you squeeze out even more low end from this 100W unit, enhancing the kick drum’s punch without overwhelming the mix. Meanwhile, the synth line easily cuts through, and Dio’s vocals stay clear and commanding. With just a few quick adjustments, the Encore Essential becomes a far more party-ready speaker and really comes to life. Despite some aging features, it still delivers impressive sound overall.

What I don’t like about the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential

The PartyBox Encore Essential is a few years old now, and some missing features are starting to show its age. It still uses Bluetooth 5.1, but more importantly, it isn’t Auracast-ready. Unlike newer PartyBox models like the Stage 320, you can’t link the Encore Essential with JBL’s latest portable speakers like the Xtreme 4 or Charge 6. I’d also love to see a software update to the PartyBox app that upgrades its current 3-band EQ to at least a 5-band option, or ideally a full 7-band EQ like you get on the new Charge 6 and Flip 7, so you can fine-tune the sound even further.

Another drawback is that the Encore Essential charges only via an AC power cable. That’s fine if you mostly use it at home, but it limits flexibility on the go, especially considering its modest 6-hour battery life. Competing models like the Soundcore Rave 3S offer up to 12 hours of playtime and charge via USB-C, which is far more convenient for outdoor use.

Should you buy the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential?

If you’re looking for a compact party speaker that can bring the vibes with solid sound, eye-catching lighting, and karaoke support, the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential still gets the job done, especially for indoor or semi-permanent setups. But the lack of modern features like USB-C charging and Auracast support makes it feel outdated, especially if you’re trying to build a future-proof JBL ecosystem. If you want to use the Encore Essential as part of a larger JBL setup, you’re better off waiting for the Encore Essential 2, which will most likely be Auracast-ready.

Otherwise, for just a bit more money, I recommend checking out the Soundcore Rave 3S ($349.99 at Amazon) which delivers double the output (200W), better battery life, USB-C charging, a dynamic light show, an AI Vocal Removal tool, and two wireless microphones. It’s hard to beat that value.

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