Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max if sound quality matters most, the Zealot S79 if price matters most. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 85 large speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $399. The Zealot S79 ranks #41, rated 3.6/5, at $106.97, $292.03 cheaper.
The case for the Bose SoundLink Max: IP67 rated: dustproof and waterproof to 1m. The catch: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
The case for the Zealot S79: Loud with plenty of bass and a wider soundstage than the JBL Xtreme 3, which it beats at full volume. The catch: At moderate volume the JBL Xtreme 3 is cleaner and more balanced, and one reviewer preferred the JBL Xtreme 4 in every way.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Zealot S79 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Zealot S79 is rated for 50 hours, the Bose SoundLink Max only 20 hours.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Zealot S79 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $106.97 |
| Ranked | #17 of 85 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 85 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 50+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 13.4” x 7.2” x 5.7” (340 x 184 x 146 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 2 woofers + 2 tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 100W (150W peak) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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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
Bose SoundLink Max: $399.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated: dustproof and waterproof to 1m. Up to 20 hour battery; real-world testing found 43+ hours. Deep, rich bass with neutral tuning, app EQ. USB-C doubles as device charger. Sturdy carry handle. The aux input has lower latency (about 33ms) than most Bluetooth connections. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange. Bass not as deep as a Boom 2. Gets distorted above 80%. Self drains the battery about 20% a week.
Full Bose SoundLink Max review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - indoor soundtest More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - outdoor soundtest
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Max, the worlds most overpriced speaker? its a shocker! More from alanrossreviews →
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - first impressions
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs. Ultimate Ears EpicBoom 🤑Big Bucks No Whammies? 💣 Let’s Find Out 😧 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit XSound Mega 😲 Can the Budget Priced Speaker Hang With the Big $ One?
- Scott’s Reviews: Bose SoundLink Max First Impressions, Unboxing, and Sound Test. More from ScottsReviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro Max 100W vs BOSE Soundlink MAX More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose SoundLink Max vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Bose SoundLink Max vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Loewe We. Hear Pro
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- See all 85 comparisons
Zealot S79: $106.97 Amazon eBay
Pros: Loud with plenty of bass and a wider soundstage than the JBL Xtreme 3, which it beats at full volume. A huge 24,000mAh battery with a claimed 50+ hours doubles as a power bank, and it adds RGB lights, a shoulder strap, EQ modes and stereo pairing.
Cons: At moderate volume the JBL Xtreme 3 is cleaner and more balanced, and one reviewer preferred the JBL Xtreme 4 in every way. Its bass boost mode sounds muddy and can distort past about 70% volume, so it is best left on the normal EQ. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 digs deeper in the bass.
Full Zealot S79 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W (150W peak) |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 50+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 13.4” x 7.2” x 5.7” (340 x 184 x 146 mm) |
| Drivers | 2 woofers + 2 tweeters |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons