Short answer: the Mackie Thump Go. It ranks #8 of 17 battery-powered PA speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $449.99; the Soundboks 4 ranks #10, rated 3.4/5, and costs $1,199, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Thump Go packs real PA functionality most party speakers skip entirely. It has a genuine built-in mini mixer with two XLR/TRS combo inputs plus a 3.5mm aux, and its own notes describe balanced sound with crisp highs, tight lows, and natural vocals. Two units can pair for true stereo through the app, all for well under half the Soundboks 4’s price. Its notes are candid that it isn’t quite as good sounding as speakers like the Everse 8 or Bose S1 Pro, that Bluetooth pairing doesn’t always auto-connect, and that the battery latch and top handle are known failure points.
The Soundboks 4 wins decisively on raw output, battery life, and durability. It’s tied for the loudest battery-powered speaker in its class, reaching 126dB against the Thump Go’s 115dB, and its 40-hour battery life is more than three times the Thump Go’s 12 hours. It also carries an IP65 rating for water jets, while the Thump Go has no water resistance at all. Its own notes acknowledge it is very large, doesn’t ship in stereo out of the box, and trails the top Partyboxes on neutrality and bass depth.
Everything else splits along size and features: the Soundboks 4 adds TeamUp party mode for linking up to five speakers, a removable battery, and a companion app, while the Thump Go stays compact and light enough to carry with one hand.
Buy the Mackie Thump Go for a genuine mixer, real stereo pairing, and balanced sound at a fraction of the price.
Buy the Soundboks 4 if you need the loudest possible output, an all-day battery, and real water resistance, and don’t mind the size or the higher price.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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
| Soundboks 4 | Mackie Thump Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1199 | $449.99 |
| Ranked | #10 of 17 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers | #8 of 17 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| Passive | No | No |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Dimensions | 25.6” x 17” x 13” (650.2 x 431.8 x 330.2 mm) | 18” x 9.1” x 11.2” (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 10” woofers, 1” compression driver | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 57Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP65 | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB | 115dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| SKAA | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 216W (3x 72W) | 200W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 3-way active PA | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | Poplar plywood | Polypropylene |
| DSP | App EQ | Feedback eliminator, Music Duck and voicing modes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount socket | 35mm pole mount; monitor wedge |
| Coverage | - | 90° H x 60° V |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 57Hz |
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