JBL Boombox 4 vs Hopestar A90

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4. It ranks #20 of 85 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $429.95. The Hopestar A90 ranks #22, rated 3.9/5, at $351.65, $78.30 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.

JBL Boombox 4 vs Hopestar A90

Side by side, the reviewer took the Hopestar for its deeper, bigger bass and output, calling it half the price with features the JBL lacks. The Boombox 4 is far smaller and lighter, which makes it the one to carry.

The Boombox 4 is measured at about 115dB with bass to about 41Hz, and it is IP68 with a removable battery and a claimed 28 hours. Use the Oluv EQ linked on its page.

The A90 is huge at 13.2 kg boxed, with a removable battery, a wireless mic, Auracast and IPX6, but only 6 to 8 hours claimed. The A90’s rating comes from listening comparisons, not measurements, and it is sold through AliExpress rather than US retailers.

Buy the JBL Boombox 4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $78.30 saving on the Hopestar A90 is not enough to make up the difference.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Buy the JBL Boombox 4 at Amazon ($429.95) →Buy the Hopestar A90 at AliExpress ($351.65) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Boombox 4 Hopestar A90
Price$429.95$351.65
Ranked#20 of 85 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#22 of 85 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesNo
Aux InputNoYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)41Hz-
Battery Life28 hours (Manufacturer specified)6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (7 band)No
IP RatingIP68IPX6
Bluetooth LatencyAAC 144ms, SBC 48ms-
Maximum SPL115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)-
Party ModeYes (Auracast)Yes (Auracast)
Power InputAC Power cord-
Removable BatteryYesYes
StereoYes-
OmnidirectionalNoNo
Weight13.2 lbs (5.98 kg)-
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, LC3, AAC-
Bluetooth Version5.45.4
Built-in MicrophoneNo-
Power BankYes (USB-C, up to 30W)-
TWSYes-
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)-
USB PlaybackNoYes
FM TunerNo-
Microphone InputNo-
MicroSD PlaybackNoYes
Amplifier Power210W AC / 200W battery700W
Dimensions20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm)24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm)
Drivers2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters
StrapNo-
Frequency Response-50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Wireless Microphones-Yes 1 Included
Lights-Yes
Buy the JBL Boombox 4 at Amazon ($429.95) →Buy the Hopestar A90 at AliExpress ($351.65) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Boombox 4:

Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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

JBL Boombox 4: $429.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Boombox 4 ranking card

Older models: the JBL Boombox 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5), the JBL Boombox 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5).

Pros: Pretty insane output capability for the size. IP68 protection and Auracast pairing with other current JBL speakers. Measured bass extension of 41Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Pretty overpriced for the category. Better than the Boombox 3 mostly because there are more 7 EQ bands instead of just 3 and it can be better tuned. Try Oluv’s EQ for it. Out of the box sounds worse than the Boombox 3. No Aux input.

Full JBL Boombox 4 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power210W AC / 200W battery
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)41Hz
Battery Life28 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, LC3, AAC
Bluetooth LatencyAAC 144ms, SBC 48ms
Bluetooth Version5.4
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)
Dimensions20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm)
Drivers2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators
EQYes (7 band)
FM TunerNo
IP RatingIP68
Maximum SPL115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
MicroSD PlaybackNo
Microphone InputNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C, up to 30W)
Power InputAC Power cord
Removable BatteryYes
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight13.2 lbs (5.98 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($429.95) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for JBL Boombox 4 →

Hopestar A90: $351.65 AliExpress eBay

Hopestar A90 ranking card

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, and the evidence is listening comparisons rather than measurements. 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 Power700W
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Battery Life6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth Version5.4
Dimensions24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm)
Drivers2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters
EQNo
Frequency Response50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIPX6
LightsYes
MicroSD PlaybackYes
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Removable BatteryYes
USB PlaybackYes
Wireless MicrophonesYes 1 Included
Check current price at AliExpress ($351.65) →Search eBay for Hopestar A90 →