Short answer: the Zealot ZE01. It ranks #38 of 112 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $126.02; the EcoXGear Defender ranks #84, rated 2.5/5, and costs $299.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The EcoXGear Defender is the lighter choice. A rugged, floating waterproof speaker that gets very loud for its size, with a flashlight, bottle opener and power bank. At 10 lbs (4.54 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Zealot ZE01 at 13.2 lbs (6 kg). Watch for: Its single front-facing driver layout has narrow dispersion: clarity and detail drop noticeably when you move off-axis, and the soundstage is limited.
The Zealot ZE01 is the better-sounding, longer-running option. An affordable stereo boombox with a 40 hour battery, water resistance and a power bank for long days outdoors. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 25 for the EcoXGear Defender. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the EcoXGear Defender. The tradeoff: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.
Buy the Zealot ZE01. It is rated higher for sound quality than the EcoXGear Defender 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.
A rugged, floating waterproof speaker that gets very loud for its size, with a flashlight, bottle opener and power bank.
An affordable stereo boombox with a 40 hour battery, water resistance and a power bank for long days outdoors.
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Specifications Side By Side
| EcoXGear Defender | Zealot ZE01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 | $126.02 |
| Ranked | #84 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #38 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (multiple modes) |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.1A) | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX6 |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 15.4” x 9.6” (170.2 x 391.2 x 243.8 mm) | 13.1” x 11.2” x 8.1” (332 x 284 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver | Dual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 45Hz |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
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