- +Zero installation — runs on any Makita 18V LXT battery (2.0-12.0Ah)
- +Four graduated aluminum trumpets (14"/12"/8"/5") for a layered chord
- +Detailed spec disclosure: 14 x 6 x 12 in, 4 lb, 433 MHz remote, protection thresholds
- +500+ short blasts per 6Ah charge with 15% battery cutoff and 185°F motor shut-off
- +Three volume levels with instant, no-delay activation
- +1-year full warranty plus 90-day money-back returns
- −140 dB claim has no test distance; the same page's volume graphic says 150 dB
- −Remote range listed as both 160 ft and 300 ft on the same product page
- −Battery and charger not included at the $250 base price
- −Splash-resistant handheld only — can't replace a wired vehicle horn
- −No chord frequency (Hz) disclosure or independent sound measurements
Methodology
This review aggregates publicly available information from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings, and verified user reviews. We do not perform hands-on testing. Last reviewed: October 20, 2026. Primary sources: BossHorn’s official product page for the Quad Train Horn for Makita® 18V Battery (including its public Shopify product data), BossHorn’s Makita-compatible collection page, and the Horngun retailer listing of the same unit for price and bundle cross-checks. Every number below traces to a URL in the Sources section.
Quick verdict
The BossHorn Quad Train Horn for Makita® 18V Battery brings the brand’s four-trumpet portable format to the Makita® 18V LXT™ battery platform: a manufacturer-claimed 140 dB, four aluminum-alloy trumpets in graduated lengths, and no installation at all. At $250 for Black ($270 for Chrome or Red) it sits mid-pack in the battery-powered class, and BossHorn publishes more hard data than most portable sellers (dimensions, weight, runtime, remote frequency, protections). We rate it 4.0/5. What holds it back is the product page itself: it lists the remote range as both 160 ft and 300 ft, and the volume-control graphic tops out at 150 dB while the spec table says 140 dB, with no test distance for either figure. In our editorial opinion it’s the natural pick if you already own Makita 18V LXT packs and want a quad chord you can carry.
What it is
The Quad is a fully assembled, handheld train horn that runs on any Makita® 18V LXT™ battery from 2.0Ah to 12.0Ah, and BossHorn’s spec table says aftermarket LXT-compatible packs work too. Instead of the compressor, tank, and solenoid chain of a traditional air kit, an onboard electric motor drives four powder-coated aluminum-alloy trumpets in graduated lengths: one 14”, one 12”, one 8”, and one 5”. BossHorn describes the result as a “freight train horn deep low tone,” while its own trumpet selector labels the Quad “medium pitch,” slotting it between the 130 dB high-pitch Dual and the 150 dB low-pitch Extreme Series in the same lineup.
BossHorn says the unit is assembled in the USA from domestic and imported parts and ships ready to use: insert a charged battery and press the trigger or the included wireless remote. The seller frames it as a portable signal and celebration tool for tailgates, sporting events, parades, boating, off-road rigs, construction-site alerts, and wildlife deterrence, not as a replacement for a vehicle’s wired horn.
It’s a fit for three kinds of buyers, in our editorial view: tradespeople and DIYers who already have a shelf of Makita 18V LXT batteries; truck, Jeep, and boat owners who want train-horn volume without drilling, wiring, or air lines; and event users who want the loudest thing in the parking lot with zero setup.
Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Sound output | Up to 140 dB (test distance not disclosed) |
| Volume levels | 3 (full / medium / soft); BossHorn’s graphic labels them 110 / 130 / 150 dB |
| Sound character | ”Freight train horn deep low tone” per spec table; “medium pitch” per trumpet selector |
| Claimed audible range | Up to 1 mile |
| Trumpets | 4: 14” + 12” + 8” + 5” |
| Trumpet material | Aluminum alloy, powder-coated |
| Housing | Impact-resistant polymer, splash-resistant (not waterproof) |
| Power source | Makita® 18V LXT™ battery, 2.0–12.0Ah (not included) |
| Runtime (6Ah battery) | 500+ short blasts / 200 sustained blasts |
| Activation | Trigger or wireless remote, zero sound delay |
| Remote range | 160 ft per spec table; 300 ft per accessory picker and “How it works” section |
| Long-range remote | 2,000 ft, optional (+$59) |
| Remote frequency | 433 MHz encrypted, 23A 12V remote battery included |
| Protection | Overheat auto shut-off at 185°F; battery cutoff at 15%; LED low-battery indicator |
| Dimensions | 14” × 6” × 12” |
| Weight | 4 lb without battery |
| PSI | Not applicable (no air tank) |
| Chord frequencies | Not disclosed |
| Price | $250 (Black); $270 (Chrome or Red) |
| Warranty | 1-year full warranty on the horn unit; 90-day money-back returns |
All figures are manufacturer claims from BossHorn’s product page. BossHorn notes that actual output may vary with battery charge level.
What’s in the box
- 1× Quad train horn, fully assembled (four trumpets, motor, housing)
- 1× Wireless remote control, with 23A 12V remote battery
No Makita 18V LXT battery or charger is included at the base price. BossHorn sells a 2Ah LXT-compatible battery (rated by BossHorn at 200+ blasts per charge) and an LXT-compatible fast charger as $30 add-ons each, extra standard remotes at $35, and a 2,000 ft long-range remote at $59. The same unit on Horngun is offered as Tool Only ($250 Black / $280 Chrome), Tool + Battery ($290 / $320), or Tool + Battery + Charger ($335 / $365). BossHorn also states that its warranty covers the horn unit only, not batteries or chargers.
Pros
- Zero installation: attach a charged Makita 18V LXT battery and it’s ready, with no compressor, tank, air lines, or relay wiring
- Four graduated aluminum trumpets (14”/12”/8”/5”) for a layered chord rather than a single flat note
- Unusually complete spec disclosure for a portable unit: dimensions, 4 lb weight, runtime, remote frequency, and protection thresholds are all published
- Strong runtime claim of 500+ short blasts on a 6Ah pack, with a 15% battery cutoff and 185°F motor shut-off
- Three volume levels and instant activation with no tank-fill wait
- 1-year full warranty, 90-day money-back window, free US shipping, and same-day dispatch before 12 PM PST
Cons
- The 140 dB figure has no published test distance, and the same page’s volume graphic and site-wide banner cite 150 dB, so treat any number as marketing rather than measurement
- Remote range is listed as both 160 ft and 300 ft on the same product page; plan around the lower figure
- Battery and charger not included: real entry cost is roughly $290–$335 if you don’t already own Makita 18V LXT packs
- No chord frequency (Hz) disclosure and no independent sound measurements we could find
- Splash-resistant only; it can’t serve as a permanently mounted or legally wired vehicle horn
Alternatives
- BossHorn Milwaukee-compatible Quad Train Horn (M18): the same 4-trumpet, 140 dB-claimed, 14” × 6” × 12” spec sheet built around Milwaukee® M18™ batteries, at the same $250/$270 pricing. Pick by the battery platform you already own. See our full review.
- BossHorn DeWalt-compatible Quad Train Horn (20V): the same quad concept for DeWalt® 20V MAX battery owners. See our DeWalt-compatible Quad review.
- Kleinn HK4 quad air horn kit: the permanently installed 12V air-tank route for truck owners who want the horn wired to the vehicle instead of carried. See our Kleinn HK4 review.
The BossHorn brand hub lists every BossHorn model we’ve covered, and the air vs battery guide walks through the portable-versus-installed decision.
Install / compatibility notes
There’s no install in the traditional sense, which is the product’s whole pitch. Things worth knowing before you buy:
- Battery platform: any Makita® 18V LXT™ pack from 2.0Ah to 12.0Ah, and BossHorn says aftermarket LXT-compatible batteries work too. The published 500+ short / 200 sustained blast figure assumes a 6.0Ah pack; BossHorn’s own 2Ah add-on is rated at 200+ blasts.
- No vehicle wiring: nothing connects to your vehicle’s 12V system. If you want a horn on the steering-wheel button, you need a wired air kit; our air vs battery guide covers that choice.
- Weather exposure: BossHorn rates the housing splash-resistant, not waterproof, and recommends storing it in a cool, dry place with the battery removed to prevent accidental activation.
- Duty cycle: BossHorn advises short breaks during extended continuous use, and the motor cuts out at 185°F. Long sustained blasts that stop on their own are the protection doing its job, not a defect.
- Remote planning: because the page lists both 160 ft and 300 ft, assume 160 ft for setups where reliability matters, or budget $59 for the 2,000 ft remote.
- Hearing safety: BossHorn’s own collection-page warning says exposure at or above 140 dB can cause immediate, irreversible hearing damage. Wear protection and keep bystanders back; see our hearing damage guide and decibel guide.
On user feedback: at the time of review, BossHorn’s product page showed a 5.0 average across 20 on-site reviews, and the Horngun listing showed a single review. Those are seller-hosted ratings, so we treat them as a light signal, not independent verification.
Legality is on the user. A handheld horn avoids the equipment statutes that cover installed vehicle horns in many states, but blasting it in public can still fall under local noise ordinances. Check our state legality pages and city noise ordinance guide before using it in town. For how a quad chord compares with dual and single setups, see single vs dual vs quad trumpets, and for how this stacks up on raw output, see our loudest train horn guide.
Sources
- BossHorn — Quad Train Horn for Makita® 18V Battery product page — all primary specs: 140 dB claim, 110/130/150 dB volume graphic, trumpet count/sizes/material, 18V LXT 2.0–12.0Ah compatibility, 500+/200 blast runtime on 6Ah, 160 ft vs 300 ft remote listings, 2,000 ft remote option, 433 MHz, 185°F and 15% protections, dimensions, 4 lb weight, housing, $250/$270 pricing, add-on pricing, warranty, returns, shipping, included items, on-site review count
- BossHorn — Quad Train Horn for Makita® 18V Battery product data (JSON) — variant pricing cross-check ($250 Black, $270 Chrome, $270 Red) and product description
- BossHorn — Train Horns for Makita® 18V Battery collection — lineup context (Dual 130 dB / Quad 140 dB / Extreme 150 dB), “medium pitch” and 1-mile labels, 150 dB site banner, hearing-loss safety warning
- Horngun — Quad train horn gun listing for Makita® 18V battery — retailer price and bundle cross-check ($250/$280 tool only, $290/$320 with battery, $335/$365 with battery and charger), 160 ft remote listing, 150 dB marketing claim, review count
- BossHorn — Quad Train Horn for Milwaukee® 18V Battery product page — Milwaukee-compatible Quad pricing ($250 Black / $270 Chrome or Red) and spec parity used in Alternatives
Train Horn Hub aggregates publicly available data. We do not test products in-house. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
A strong grab-and-go quad-trumpet pick for anyone already invested in Makita 18V LXT batteries. Buyers without those packs, or who want a horn wired to their truck, have cheaper or better-suited options.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions people ask most about this topic.
- How loud is the BossHorn Quad Train Horn for Makita 18V Battery really?
- BossHorn rates it at up to 140 dB with a claimed audible range of up to 1 mile, but publishes no test distance, and the same page's volume-control graphic labels the full setting 150 dB. Treat 140 dB as a manufacturer maximum, not an independent measurement. Three volume levels let you run it below full blast.
- Does it come with a Makita battery or charger?
- No. The $250 base price covers the horn and one wireless remote. It runs on any Makita 18V LXT battery from 2.0Ah to 12.0Ah, including aftermarket LXT-compatible packs; BossHorn sells a 2Ah battery and a charger as $30 add-ons each, and Horngun bundles the unit with a battery for $290 or battery plus charger for $335 (Black).
- How many blasts do you get per charge?
- BossHorn claims 500+ short blasts or about 200 sustained blasts on a 6.0Ah battery, and 200+ blasts on its own 2Ah add-on pack. A 15% battery cutoff keeps the horn from deep-discharging the pack.
- What is the wireless remote range?
- BossHorn's spec table lists 160 ft for the included remote, while the accessory picker and setup section on the same page say 300 ft. Plan around 160 ft, or add the optional 2,000 ft long-range remote for $59.
- Can I use it as my truck's horn?
- Not as a replacement for the wired horn. It's a handheld, splash-resistant unit with no connection to the vehicle's 12V system. If you want a horn on the steering-wheel button, you need an installed air-tank kit.
