Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Micro. It ranks #20 of 62 small speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $99.99. The Hopestar H54 ranks #52, rated 2.6/5, at $59.99, $40 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Bose Soundlink Micro is the better-sounding, lighter pick. A rugged waterproof pocket speaker with a built in strap, party pairing, and low Bluetooth delay for video. At 0.6 lbs (289 g) it weighs much less than the Hopestar H54 at 1.1 lbs (500 g). It links with other speakers (Bose Party mode), which the Hopestar H54 cannot.
What the Hopestar H54 does well: A compact waterproof speaker with microSD playback, an aux input, and stereo pairing with a second unit. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Bose Soundlink Micro lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The tradeoff: Bright treble, not much bass, harsh mids.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Micro. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $40 saving on the Hopestar H54 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Micro | Hopestar H54 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $59.99 |
| Ranked | #20 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #52 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (289 g) | 1.1 lbs (500 g) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 3.9” x 1.4” (98 x 98 x 35 mm) | 5.5” x 4.7” x 2.8” (140 x 120 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm with dual passive radiators | 52mm |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Amplifier Power | 5W | 5W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | - |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 15kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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