JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot ZE01

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4, because the Zealot ZE01 is not competitive. The Boombox 4 has pretty insane output for its size and improves on the Boombox 3 only through 7 EQ bands instead of 3, which allows better tuning, though it is overpriced, sounds worse than the Boombox 3 out of the box, and drops Aux. The ZE01 appears to use the same internals as the S95, is a little rolled off up top, and is not that balanced.

JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot ZE01

Buy the JBL Boombox 4 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Zealot ZE01 if the price is the priority over sound quality.

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Buy the JBL Boombox 4 at Amazon ($429.95) →Buy the Zealot ZE01 at Amazon ($169.90) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Boombox 4 Zealot ZE01
Price$429.95$169.90
Ranked#20 of 85 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#33 of 85 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesNo
Aux InputNoYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)41Hz45Hz
Battery Life28 hours (Manufacturer specified)40 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (7 band)Yes (multiple modes)
IP RatingIP68IPX6
Bluetooth LatencyAAC 144ms, SBC 48ms-
Maximum SPL115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)-
Party ModeYes (Auracast)No
Power InputAC Power cordUSB-C
Removable BatteryYes-
StereoYesYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
Weight13.2 lbs (5.98 kg)13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, LC3, AACSBC
Bluetooth Version5.45.4
Built-in MicrophoneNoNo
Power BankYes (USB-C, up to 30W)Yes (USB-A + USB-C)
TWSYesYes
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)No
USB PlaybackNoYes
FM TunerNo-
Microphone InputNo-
MicroSD PlaybackNoYes
Amplifier Power210W AC / 200W battery120W RMS / 150W peak
Dimensions20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm)13.1” x 11.2” x 8.1” (332 x 284 x 207 mm)
Drivers2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiatorsDual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers
StrapNo-
Buy the JBL Boombox 4 at Amazon ($429.95) →Buy the Zealot ZE01 at Amazon ($169.90) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Boombox 4:

Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Boombox 4: $429.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Boombox 4 ranking card

Older models: the JBL Boombox 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5), the JBL Boombox 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5).

Pros: Pretty insane output capability for the size. IP68 protection and Auracast pairing with other current JBL speakers. Measured bass extension of 41Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Pretty overpriced for the category. Better than the Boombox 3 mostly because there are more 7 EQ bands instead of just 3 and it can be better tuned. Try Oluv’s EQ for it. Out of the box sounds worse than the Boombox 3. No Aux input.

Full JBL Boombox 4 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power210W AC / 200W battery
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)41Hz
Battery Life28 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, LC3, AAC
Bluetooth LatencyAAC 144ms, SBC 48ms
Bluetooth Version5.4
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)
Dimensions20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm)
Drivers2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators
EQYes (7 band)
FM TunerNo
IP RatingIP68
Maximum SPL115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
MicroSD PlaybackNo
Microphone InputNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C, up to 30W)
Power InputAC Power cord
Removable BatteryYes
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight13.2 lbs (5.98 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($429.95) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for JBL Boombox 4 →

Zealot ZE01: $169.90 Amazon AliExpress eBay

Zealot ZE01 ranking card

Pros: Appears to be the same internals as the S95. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).

Cons: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers.

Full Zealot ZE01 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power120W RMS / 150W peak
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)45Hz
Battery Life40 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.4
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions13.1” x 11.2” x 8.1” (332 x 284 x 207 mm)
DriversDual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers
EQYes (multiple modes)
IP RatingIPX6
MicroSD PlaybackYes
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankYes (USB-A + USB-C)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight13.2 lbs (6.0 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($169.90) →Check current price at AliExpress ($126.02) →Search eBay for Zealot ZE01 →