Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4, if you are buying new, though neither ranks well in its class. The JBL Boombox ranks higher than the Zealot S78 (#67 vs #97 of 98 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Boombox 4, is rated 4.0/5 at $549.95 and is still sold new. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 98 boombox speakers, and the Tribit Stormbox Blast, ranked #2 at $179.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The JBL Boombox is the better-sounding option. Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx5 protection and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. It links with other speakers (Connect+ up to 100 speakers), which the Zealot S78 cannot. The tradeoff: Treble is not very smooth.
The Zealot S78 is the longer-running, tougher pick. A robust 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) party speaker with claimed 120W RMS output, IP67 protection, USB-C charging, a power-bank function, aux, USB and microSD playback, TWS pairing and multiple EQ modes. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 24 for the JBL Boombox. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the JBL Boombox. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Boombox lacks. Watch for: At high volume, reviews report distortion and fluctuating level, so its headline power is more useful below its maximum setting.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Boombox; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Zealot S78.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox | Zealot S78 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 Discontinued | $159.68 |
| Ranked | #67 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #97 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (multiple modes) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 60W AC / 40W battery | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Dimensions | 10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) | 16.1” x 6.6” x 7.3” (410 x 167 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 2x ~120mm (4.72”) woofers + 2x ~42mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Boombox:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Boombox
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Boombox
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox: $399 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025. See every JBL Boombox generation.
Pros: At 5.2 kg, JBL Boombox combines 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators with Bluetooth and aux. Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx5 protection and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. JBL Connect+ links up to 100 compatible speakers.
Cons: There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Treble is not very smooth. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- JBL Boombox vs Sony SRS-XG500
- JBL Boombox vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- JBL Boombox vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
- JBL Boombox vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- JBL Boombox vs Tronsmart Halo 200
- JBL Boombox vs Sony ULT Field 7
- JBL Boombox vs W-King H10
- See all 61 comparisons
Zealot S78: $159.68 Amazon $159.68 AliExpress $91.38 eBay
Pros: A robust 4.4kg party speaker with claimed 120W RMS output, IP67 protection, USB-C charging, a power-bank function, aux, USB and microSD playback, TWS pairing and multiple EQ modes. Reviews find it very loud with useful bass and long claimed battery life, making it a credible choice for outdoor gatherings.
Cons: At high volume, reviews report distortion and fluctuating level, so its headline power is more useful below its maximum setting. It has no app-based EQ, and the bass and midrange refinement do not match better-established boombox speakers; assess its sound in person if tonal accuracy matters.
Full Zealot S78 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1” x 6.6” x 7.3” (410 x 167 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x ~120mm (4.72”) woofers + 2x ~42mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: DBSOARS F29 Max vs Zealot S78 🛜 (5B) Budget Bluetooth Boombox Basement Battle 🔊 Bass Modes Enabled More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Zealot S78 Bluetooth Boombox Battle Outdoor Tailgater Special 🚗 Let the Whoopin’ Begin
- Head-to-Head Comparisons