Short answer: the Hopestar A90. It ranks #22 of 89 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $351.65; the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi ranks #25, rated 3.8/5, and costs $389.95, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Hopestar A90: 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. Watch for: The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison.
What the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi does well: Loudest speaker in the category. The tradeoff: Bass boosted.
Buy the Hopestar A90. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the Hopestar A90.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Hopestar A90 | JBL Boombox 3 Wifi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $351.65 | $389.95 |
| Ranked | #22 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #25 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 700W | 200W AC / 140W battery |
| Drivers | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP67 |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) | 19.1” x 10.1” x 7.9” (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 43Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Weight | - | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Hopestar A90:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Hopestar A90
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Hopestar A90
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
JBL Boombox 3 Wifi: $389.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Loudest speaker in the category. Slightly better frequency response than the non-wifi version. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass boosted. Dip at 160Hz
Full JBL Boombox 3 Wifi review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W AC / 140W battery |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1” x 10.1” x 7.9” (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 WiFi - Sound Test - Wide vs Narrow Soundstage! More from Dominik Reviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Encore 2 Partybox Deep Bass 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi 🎶 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3🧐 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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