Best Party Speakers for Loud Music: JBL PartyBox, Sony ULT Tower and More
Some nights call for more than a little speaker on the kitchen counter. Birthdays, block parties, backyard cookouts, a living room that turns into a dance floor. For those, you want a real party speaker: loud, bass-heavy, and built to keep going all night. These are the 2BOOM picks.
What makes a great party speaker
- Volume without distortion. Cheap speakers get loud by getting harsh. Good ones stay clean near the top.
- Real bass. That needs a big woofer and a big cabinet. There's no shortcut.
- Battery or mains power. Many party speakers run on battery for outdoor events; some must be plugged in.
- Inputs. Microphone and guitar inputs turn a speaker into a karaoke machine or a busking rig.
- Party linking. Connecting several speakers spreads sound across a big space.
- Lights. Optional, but crowds love them.
The best party speakers at a glance
| Speaker | Best for | Battery | Mic/guitar input |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBL PartyBox 320 | Best all-round party speaker | Yes, replaceable | Yes |
| JBL PartyBox 520 | Bigger parties | Yes, replaceable | Yes |
| Sony ULT Tower 10 | Massive bass indoors | No, plug-in | Yes |
| JBL Boombox 3 | Portable power | Yes | No |
| UE Epicboom / Everboom | 360° sound, tough | Yes | No |
| Sony ULT Field 7 | Outdoor bass, lights | Yes | Yes |
| Soundcore Rave series | Budget big sound | Varies | Yes |
Best overall: JBL PartyBox 320
The PartyBox line is the most popular party speaker range for good reason. The PartyBox 320 hits a sweet spot: loud, punchy bass, a light show, wheels and a telescopic handle, a swappable battery, and inputs for a microphone and guitar. It also pairs with other recent JBL speakers. For house parties and backyard events, it's our first pick.
Step up: the PartyBox 520 is bigger and louder. Step down: the PartyBox Encore or Encore Essential are smaller and easier to carry.
Best for huge bass: Sony ULT Tower 10
The ULT Tower 10 is a tall, plug-in speaker built to make a room shake. Sony's ULT bass mode, a 360° party light and a wireless microphone (included with the speaker) make it a home karaoke and dance-floor machine. It also works as a TV speaker via an optical input. It needs mains power, so it's for indoor parties or patios with an outlet.
Best portable powerhouse: JBL Boombox 3
The Boombox looks like a giant Charge and sounds like it: deep bass, serious volume, long battery life and a sturdy handle. It's waterproof and dustproof, so it's built for the beach, the pool deck and tailgates.
Best 360° party sound: Ultimate Ears Epicboom and Everboom
UE's big speakers fire sound in every direction, so the whole circle hears it. They're very rugged, and PartyUp can link many UE speakers at once, which is great for spreading sound across a big yard.
Best outdoor all-rounder: Sony ULT Field 7
The ULT Field 7 is a big, rugged, battery-powered speaker with deep bass, lights and mic/guitar inputs. It's a strong pick for camping trips and outdoor parties where there's no outlet.
Best budget party speaker: Soundcore Rave series
Anker's Soundcore Rave speakers deliver a lot of volume and lights for the money. They don't sound as refined as JBL or Sony, but for a casual party they deliver.
How to set up a party speaker for the best sound
- Put it near a wall or corner to boost bass. Too close to a corner can sound boomy, so experiment.
- Raise the tweeters to ear height. Put smaller speakers on a table or stand so the crowd doesn't block the sound.
- Point it at the crowd, not at the neighbors. Your neighbors will thank you.
- Turn the bass boost down a little when you turn the volume up. It keeps things clean.
- Use a wired connection or Wi-Fi for long sessions if you can. It avoids Bluetooth dropouts when phones wander.
More ideas in our guide to throwing a house party with great sound.
Frequently asked questions
What is the loudest party speaker?
Among mainstream consumer models, the large JBL PartyBox speakers and the Sony ULT Tower 10 are among the loudest. For bigger events, a pair of powered PA speakers is the next step.
Is the JBL PartyBox worth it?
For regular parties, yes. The PartyBox range combines loud bass, a light show, mic and guitar inputs and battery power, and it's widely available.
Can I use a party speaker for karaoke?
Yes. Most party speakers, including the JBL PartyBox and Sony ULT Tower 10, have microphone inputs or come with a wireless microphone.
Should I get one big speaker or two smaller ones?
Two linked speakers spread sound more evenly across a space. One big speaker gives deeper bass. For a dance floor, go big; for a large yard, go with two.