Bose SoundLink Plus vs Zealot S97

Last updated: October 12, 2026

Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Plus. It ranks #25 of 105 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $179.99. The Zealot S97 ranks #62, rated 3.4/5, at $78.62, $101.37 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.

Bose SoundLink Plus vs Zealot S97

The Bose SoundLink Plus is the better-sounding, longer-running option. IP67 rated, IP67 water/dustproof. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Zealot S97. At 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) it weighs much less than the Zealot S97 at 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg). Watch for: Boosted thuddy bass, but not as deep as the SoundLink Flex and you should probably just buy one of those instead if you want a Bose.

What the Zealot S97 does well: For a compact 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) boombox, the S97 delivers unusually deep, clean-enough bass with a more sensible default balance than many inexpensive Zealot models. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Bose SoundLink Plus lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Bose SoundLink Plus lacks. Watch for: It is not especially loud for its size, battery life is only a claimed 12 hours, and the bass preset can swamp the rest of the music.

Buy the Bose SoundLink Plus. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $101.37 saving on the Zealot S97 is not enough to make up the difference.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check Bose SoundLink Plus price at Amazon ($179.99) →Check Zealot S97 price at Amazon ($78.62) →

Specifications Side By Side

Bose SoundLink Plus Zealot S97
Price$179.99$78.62
Ranked#25 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#62 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesNo
Aux InputNoYes
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneNoYes
IP RatingIP67IPX6
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-C)Yes (USB-A + USB-C)
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
TWSYesNo
Weight3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)7.3 lbs (3.3 kg)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC
EQNo3 EQ presets
StereoYesYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
Bluetooth Version5.45.2
Dimensions9.1” x 3.9” x 3.4” (231 x 99 x 86 mm)12.6” x 7.3” x 5.9” (321 x 185 x 151 mm)
Drivers1x 2.5” (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78” (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapYes (built-in loop)-
MicroSD Playback-Yes
Amplifier Power-80W
Check Bose SoundLink Plus price at Amazon ($179.99) →Check Zealot S97 price at Amazon ($78.62) →

How Bose SoundLink Plus compares with other leading options:

Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 Plus ranking card

Same family: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen (smaller model, rated 3.8/5), the Bose SoundLink Max (smaller model, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5) and the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 (smaller model, rated 3.6/5). See every Bose SoundLink Flex, Micro, Max and Plus generation.

Pros: IP67 rated, IP67 water/dustproof. Close to 20 hour battery life. Vibrant sound with booming bass, clean mids. Bluetooth 5.4 with good range. Premium tactile grille, smooth silicone. Quality build at $180.

Cons: Boosted thuddy bass, but not as deep as the SoundLink Flex and you should probably just buy one of those instead if you want a Bose.

Full Bose SoundLink Plus review and specifications →

ReleasedJun 2025 (1 year ago)
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.4
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions9.1” x 3.9” x 3.4” (231 x 99 x 86 mm)
Drivers1x 2.5” (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78” (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators
EQNo
IP RatingIP67
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)
Power BankYes (USB-C)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
StrapYes (built-in loop)
TWSYes
Weight3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($179.99) →Search eBay for Bose SoundLink Plus →

Zealot S97: $78.62 Amazon $78.62 eBay

Zealot S97 ranking card

Pros: For a compact 3.3kg boombox, the S97 delivers unusually deep, clean-enough bass with a more sensible default balance than many inexpensive Zealot models. It also brings IPX6 protection, aux and microSD playback, power-bank outputs, three EQ presets and PartyAdd linking.

Cons: It is not especially loud for its size, battery life is only a claimed 12 hours, and the bass preset can swamp the rest of the music. There is no app or fine-grained EQ, so the Vocal preset is the only practical way to improve the balance. It is still heavy for a speaker with this output ceiling.

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Full Zealot S97 review and specifications →

ReleasedApr 2024 (2 years ago)
Amplifier Power80W
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.2
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions12.6” x 7.3” x 5.9” (321 x 185 x 151 mm)
Drivers2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators
EQ3 EQ presets
IP RatingIPX6
MicroSD PlaybackYes
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A + USB-C)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
TWSNo
Weight7.3 lbs (3.3 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($78.62) →Search eBay for Zealot S97 →