Short answer: the Hopestar A90. It ranks #22 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5) at $351.65 and is still sold new; the Bumpboxx Flare 8 ranks #72 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Hopestar A90 is the better-sounding choice. A huge, powerful 700W boombox with eight drivers (two 5” woofers, two 3.5” midranges and four tweeters), a removable 36,000mAh battery and a wireless microphone. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Bumpboxx Flare 8 cannot. The tradeoff: The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison.
The Bumpboxx Flare 8 is the longer-running pick. A retro-styled, 19 lbs (8.6 kg) party speaker with useful real-world features: IPX6 splash resistance, FM radio, USB and microSD playback, aux input, TWS pairing and a claimed 118dB maximum output. It is rated for 12 hours of battery against 8 for the Hopestar A90. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Hopestar A90 lacks. The catch: Bass is thuddy rather than deep or controlled, and there is no app to improve the tuning.
Buy the Hopestar A90. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Bumpboxx Flare 8 is no longer sold new.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Hopestar A90 | Bumpboxx Flare 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $351.65 | $400 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #22 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #72 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 700W | 200W |
| Drivers | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters | 8” woofer + tweeters |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IPX6 |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) | 28” x 8” x 16” (711 x 203 x 406 mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| App | No | No |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Weight | - | 19 lbs (8.62 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 118dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Hopestar A90 compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Hopestar A90
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Hopestar A90
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Hopestar A90: $351.65 AliExpress eBay
Pros: A huge, powerful 700W boombox with eight drivers (two 5” woofers, two 3.5” midranges and four tweeters), a removable 36,000mAh battery and a wireless microphone. In side by side tests it had better highs, clarity and soundstage than the Zealot ZE21 while still reaching deep, reviewers picked it over the JBL Boombox 4 for its bass and output, and it sounded powerful and true to the music against the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2. Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast, IPX6, USB, TF and aux inputs, RGB lights and a strap attachment.
Cons: The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison. The Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra measured roughly 3 to 5dB louder. There is no app or EQ. It is very large and heavy (13.2 kg boxed), claims only 6 to 8 hours of battery, and it is sold through AliExpress rather than US retailers.
Full Hopestar A90 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 700W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Lights | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Boombox 4!!! Battle Of The Gods!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Firmware Updated Vs Hopestar A90!!! Rematch Of Beasts!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Zealot Ze41!!! Battle Of Shear Power!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Zealot Ze21!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerful Bass!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Encore Essential 2!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerhouse Bass!!!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bumpboxx Flare 8: $400 Discontinued Bumpboxx eBay
Newer model: the Bumpboxx Flare8 Pro, ranked higher, estimated 2.8/5.
Pros: A retro-styled, 8.6kg party speaker with useful real-world features: IPX6 splash resistance, FM radio, USB and microSD playback, aux input, TWS pairing and a claimed 118dB maximum output. It can play much louder than compact Bluetooth speakers and is easy to aim at a small outdoor gathering.
Cons: Bass is thuddy rather than deep or controlled, and there is no app to improve the tuning. Owner reports also raise reliability concerns, including noisy or intermittent volume controls and sound cutting out at high volume. It is a fun-looking niche product, not a sound-quality or durability leader. Discontinued.
Full Bumpboxx Flare 8 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 28” x 8” x 16” (711 x 203 x 406 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| FM Tuner | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 118dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 19 lbs (8.62 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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