Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the JBL Charge 4 is the better pick: it ranks #63 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5), against #172 (rated 2.0/5) for the Zealot S61. If you want one new, the JBL Charge 6 replaces the JBL Charge 4 and is rated 4.2/5 at $119.95.
The JBL Charge 4 is the better-sounding choice. Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. The catch: 1 Oval driver.
The Zealot S61 is the longer-running, lighter option. 20W output, IPX7 waterproof, exceptional 40-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.2, TWS stereo pairing, compact 1.5 lbs (665 g) design, single full-range driver, built-in microphone, AUX input, USB-C charging. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge 4. At 1.5 lbs (665 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge 4 at 2.1 lbs (960 g). The catch: Sounds like a soup can, no bass at all.
Buy the JBL Charge 4 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Charge 6, which replaces the JBL Charge 4.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 4 | Zealot S61 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $94.99 Discontinued | $20 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #63 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #172 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | No |
| Stereo | No | No (single full-range driver) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 1.5 lbs (665 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange | 66mm full-range |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.7” x 3.7” (220 x 95 x 93 mm) | 4.1” x 4.1” x 6.7” (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS | 20W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| App | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | No | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Charge 4 compares with other leading options:
- EarFun Uboom L vs JBL Charge 4
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Charge 4
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge 4
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge 4
- Minirig 4 vs JBL Charge 4
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
JBL Charge 4: $94.99 Discontinued Amazon $94.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025.
Older models: the JBL Charge 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a JBL Charge 3. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 4 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.7” x 3.7” (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: jbl Charge 4 unboxing first impressions - vs Charge 3 More from alanrossreviews →
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- Alan Ross Reviews: LG Xboom Go PL7 vs JBL Charge 4 and Sony XB33 - best Bluetooth speaker?
- Flossy Carter: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Charge Essential More from FlossyCarter →
- Naresh Lal: JBL Charge 4 Vs Xdobo X8 Tell me Which one is the BEST?
- YouTube: Sony SRS XB31 vs JBL Charge 4: Sound Battle
- YouTube: Vifa Reykjavik vs JBL Charge 4 vs Sony XB31
- DankPods: The bluetooth speaker shootout.
- YouTube: UE Boom 3 vs JBL Charge 4 vs Vifa Reykjavik
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Zealot S61: $20 Discontinued 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. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Zealot S61 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| 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 |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No (single full-range driver) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (665 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons