Which is better for karaoke?

The JBL. It ships with a wireless microphone and has an XLR input, which the Anker lacks.

Which is better outdoors?

The Anker. IPX7 survives being submerged, while the JBL is only IPX4 splash resistant.

The Anker, at 140 W max with BassUp 2.0 versus the JBL's 100 W.

Which lasts longer on a charge?

The JBL is rated at 15 hours. Anker does not publish a firm runtime, and its battery life is unproven long term.

Can I pair several speakers together?

Yes with the Anker: PartyCast 2.0 links 100+ speakers. The JBL listing shows no chaining feature.

JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 vs Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus

Q: Is the Anker worth extra over the JBL?

Only if you need IPX7 or speaker chaining. The JBL's lowest recent price was $229.00 on November 1; check the Anker's current price on Deal.ai.

Buy the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 if you want a microphone included and a known 15-hour battery. Buy the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus if you want more power, a fully waterproof body, and speaker chaining. The JBL's lowest recent price was $229.00 on November 1, down from $249.95 on October 31. No dated price was given for the Anker, so compare its current store prices on Deal.ai before deciding.

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