Onn Party Speaker Gen 1 vs Gen 2: Key Upgrades and Which One to Choose
When Onn launched the second generation of our party speaker lineup, we made deliberate improvements based on what users told us mattered most. The onn. Party Speaker Gen 2 addressed battery longevity, updated the Bluetooth chip for faster pairing, and refined the control layout after feedback on Gen 1’s button spacing.
This onn party speaker comparison walks through the practical differences between generations—not marketing claims, but measurable changes in wattage, runtime, and build materials. If you already own Gen 1 and wonder whether the upgrade justifies the cost, or you’re buying your first unit and debating whether last year’s model at a discount makes sense, the details below clarify what each generation actually delivers.
Power Output and Sound Profile Changes
Gen 1 shipped with dual 10-watt drivers and a single passive radiator, producing adequate volume for small gatherings but losing clarity above 75% volume. Gen 2 doubled the passive radiators and raised total power to 25 watts RMS, which translates to noticeably fuller bass response and less distortion at peak levels.
The frequency range expanded from 80Hz–18kHz in Gen 1 to 60Hz–20kHz in Gen 2, giving the newer model deeper low-end presence without muddying vocals. If you primarily use the speaker indoors at moderate volume, Gen 1’s output suffices; outdoor use or larger rooms benefit from Gen 2’s additional headroom. We measured Gen 2 at roughly 88 dB at one meter, compared to Gen 1’s 82 dB under identical test conditions.
Battery Capacity and Real-World Runtime
Gen 1 used a 2200mAh lithium-ion cell rated for six hours at 50% volume, though real-world testing typically yielded four to five hours depending on content and ambient temperature. Gen 2 upgraded to a 3600mAh battery and optimized the amplifier’s idle draw, resulting in an advertised eight hours that holds up more consistently in practice.
Charging time dropped from roughly four hours to three hours thanks to Gen 2’s support for 15-watt USB-C PD input, whereas Gen 1 relied on a proprietary 5-volt barrel connector. The onn. Party Speaker Gen 1 remains perfectly functional for short sessions, but users hosting longer events or taking the speaker camping appreciate Gen 2’s extended runtime between charges.
Connectivity: Bluetooth Versions and Pairing Stability
Gen 1 shipped with Bluetooth 4.2, which worked reliably within ten meters but occasionally dropped connection in environments with heavy wireless traffic. Gen 2 moved to Bluetooth 5.0, improving both range—up to thirty meters line-of-sight—and resistance to interference from routers and other devices.
Both generations support aux-in via 3.5mm jack, but only Gen 2 includes USB-A playback for thumb drives formatted in FAT32. True Wireless Stereo pairing, which lets you link two speakers for stereo separation, arrived in Gen 2; Gen 1 lacks the chipset to support TWS. If you plan to use a single speaker in one room, Bluetooth 4.2 suffices; multi-room setups or outdoor festivals benefit from Gen 2’s pairing flexibility.
Physical Design and Control Layout Revisions
Gen 1 measured 9.5 inches tall and weighed 2.8 pounds, with rubberized side grips and top-mounted buttons clustered close together. User feedback highlighted accidental presses when carrying the unit, so Gen 2 spaced the controls wider and moved the power button to the rear panel to reduce unintended shutdowns.
The Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 shares this revised button layout across the entire lineup. Gen 2 also introduced an IPX5 splash rating; Gen 1 carried no official IP rating and shouldn’t be used near pools or in light rain. Both models retain a carrying strap, though Gen 2’s strap attaches via metal D-rings instead of Gen 1’s sewn fabric loops, which showed wear after extended use.
Price Positioning and Availability Today
Gen 1 originally retailed at $49.99 and now appears in clearance channels between $29.99 and $39.99 as inventory clears. Gen 2 launched at $69.99 and holds that price at major retailers, though periodic sales drop it to $59.99.
For budget-conscious buyers who need a functional speaker for occasional indoor use, Gen 1 at clearance pricing delivers adequate performance. Anyone prioritizing battery life, outdoor durability, or stereo pairing should budget for Gen 2. Replacement parts—charging cables, rubber feet, grilles—remain stocked for both generations through our service network, so long-term support isn’t a differentiator between models.
Deciding Between Generations for Your Use Case
The meaningful upgrades in Gen 2—doubled battery life, improved Bluetooth range, IPX5 splash resistance, and TWS pairing—justify the price premium if you use a party speaker outdoors, host events longer than four hours, or plan to expand to a stereo pair. Gen 1 remains a capable choice for casual indoor listening where budget constraints outweigh the newer features.
Neither model requires an app or subscription; both work immediately out of the box with any Bluetooth source device. If you’re replacing a failed Gen 1 unit and already own accessories like aux cables or older charging bricks, note that Gen 2’s switch to USB-C means those accessories won’t carry forward. For additional context on our broader speaker range, the onn. Large Party Speaker Gen 2 with LED Lighting sits above both standard models in output and features if the comparisons here suggest you need even more power.
Common Questions About Gen 1 and Gen 2 Differences
No, True Wireless Stereo pairing requires both units to run the same Bluetooth chipset and firmware version. Gen 1 uses Bluetooth 4.2 without TWS support, while Gen 2’s Bluetooth 5.0 chipset enables pairing only with other Gen 2 units.
You can play audio from the same source device to both speakers simultaneously, but they’ll run as independent mono outputs without stereo separation or synchronized timing.
Measured peak output increased by approximately 6 dB, which translates to a noticeable but not dramatic volume difference. The more audible improvement comes from Gen 2’s reduced distortion at high volume and fuller bass response thanks to the additional passive radiator.
In rooms smaller than 200 square feet, most users won’t need Gen 2’s extra headroom. Outdoor settings or spaces above 300 square feet benefit measurably from the higher wattage.
No, the hardware differences—Bluetooth chipset, battery capacity, amplifier design—cannot be changed through software. Gen 1 units will continue receiving security patches for the Bluetooth stack as needed, but feature parity with Gen 2 isn’t technically feasible.
Both models remain fully supported for warranty service and replacement parts through their respective lifecycles.
The standard Gen 2 discussed here uses 25-watt output; the Large Gen 2 variant increases power to 40 watts and adds RGB lighting zones not present on either standard model. Weight rises to 4.2 pounds and battery capacity reaches 5000mAh for extended runtime.
If you’re choosing between Gen 1 standard and Gen 2 standard, the differences covered in this guide apply directly. Comparing Gen 1 standard to Gen 2 Large introduces additional variables beyond the generational improvements.
Gen 2 reads the file structure on a FAT32-formatted drive and plays tracks in alphanumeric order based on filename. There’s no playlist file support or folder navigation; the speaker treats the root directory as a single queue.
Files must use MP3 or WAV encoding; FLAC and AAC files won’t play. Maximum tested drive size is 64GB.
The physical battery compartments and connector types differ between generations, so the Gen 2 battery won’t fit Gen 1’s housing without modification. We don’t recommend aftermarket battery swaps due to safety and warranty concerns.
Gen 1 replacement batteries matching the original 2200mAh spec remain available through our parts channel for users who need to refresh a degraded cell.