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Old school boomboxes might be a relic of the past, but they’ve been reinterpreted in recent years with sleek, modern, and more portable silhouettes. While not as compact as some Bluetooth speakers, they pack a bigger punch in sound, especially when it comes to playing music outdoors. One of the best-rated ones on the market is the JBL Boombox 3, which earned a PCMag Editor’s Choice Award—and it’s currently 40% off for Amazon’s Spring Sale, bringing it down to its lowest price ever of $299.95 (originally $499.95).
At 14.7 pounds, it might not be the most lightweight speaker, but it’s still technically portable given the built-in handle that lets you carry it from place to place. The control bar lets you link to other JBL speakers, control volume, power, play/pause and Bluetooth pairing, but doesn’t allow you to go back to the previous track. It has a covered rear panel with a compartment housing a 3.5mm aux input, a USB-A port that allows you to charge other devices, and a connector for the included power cable. Aesthetically, it’s similar to the Boombox 2, but adds an extra subwoofer.
It’s compatible with Bluetooth 5.3 and supports the SBC codec, but not AAC or AptX. Still, the bass and volume have impressive output in both AC and battery power modes. Battery life lasts up to 24 hours on a charge and takes around 6.5 hours to fully charge from empty. An IP67 rating makes it dust-proof and waterproof (up to one meter of depth for 30 minutes), so poolside hangs or unexpected rain shouldn’t pose an issue. Just note that the snap-shut cover on the back needs to be closed for the rating to apply. The companion app includes a customizable three-band EQ, firmware updates, and battery life monitoring.
If you’re looking for a loud, durable outdoor speaker with deep bass and adjustable EQ, and you don’t mind slightly limited Bluetooth codec support or a heavier build, the size-to-power ratio makes this award-winning speaker a reliable choice. With summer right around the corner, and the JBL Boombox 3 at nearly half off, now is a great time to invest.