Short answer: the JBL Charge 2 for better sound quality, the Zealot S61 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 2 ranks #69 of 136 medium speakers at $149. The Zealot S61 ranks #134 at $20, $129 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge 2 offers: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. Social Mode pairs up to 3 phones; works as a speakerphone. Watch for: Bass compression at higher volumes. Warm sound. slightly rolled off treble. Not as loud as other speakers.
What the Zealot S61 offers: 20W output, IPX7 waterproof, exceptional 40-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.2, TWS stereo pairing, compact 665g design, single full-range driver, built-in microphone, AUX input, USB-C charging Watch for: Sounds like a soup can, no bass at all. Weird frequency response all over.
Buy the JBL Charge 2 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Zealot S61 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Skip the Zealot S61 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers.
Battery life favors the Zealot S61: rated for 40 hours against 12 hours for the JBL Charge 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 2 | Zealot S61 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 Discontinued | $20 |
| Ranked | #69 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange | 66mm full-range |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) | 4.1" x 4.1" x 6.7" (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 15W RMS | 20W |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | - |
| App | No | - |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg | 1.5 lbs / 665 g |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Teufel Rockster Go 2 vs Treblab HD77
- Teufel Rockster Go 2 vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Klipsch Nashville vs JBL Charge Essential
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Zealot S61
- JBL Charge 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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
JBL Charge 2: $149 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. Social Mode pairs up to 3 phones; works as a speakerphone.
Cons: Bass compression at higher volumes. Warm sound. slightly rolled off treble. Not as loud as other speakers. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 15W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Zealot S61: $20 Amazon Aliexpress eBay
Pros: 20W output, IPX7 waterproof, exceptional 40-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.2, TWS stereo pairing, compact 665g design, single full-range driver, built-in microphone, AUX input, USB-C charging
Cons: Sounds like a soup can, no bass at all. Weird frequency response all over.
Full Zealot S61 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1" x 4.1" x 6.7" (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 66mm full-range |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 665 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons