Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It ranks #8 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $299.95; the Hopestar A90 ranks #22, rated 3.9/5, and costs $351.65, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The JBL Partybox Encore Essential is the better-sounding choice. A compact stereo party speaker with great sound, strong output, and splash resistance for backyard parties. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Hopestar A90 lacks.
The Hopestar A90 is the tougher choice. A huge, powerful boombox with deep bass, clear highs, a removable battery and a wireless microphone for big outdoor parties. It is rated IPX6 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. The catch: The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Hopestar A90 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential | Hopestar A90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $351.65 |
| Ranked | #8 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #22 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 700W |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 1 Included |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential: reviews by Alan Ross, DLX Willington and Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More.
- Hopestar A90: reviews by Jagist.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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