JBL Charge 5 vs Zealot S39

Last updated: October 10, 2026

Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Charge 5 ranks #30 of 166 medium speakers by sound quality at $139.95; the Zealot S39 ranks #59 of 103 large speakers by sound quality at $78.99.

JBL Charge 5 vs Zealot S39

The JBL Charge 5 is the lighter choice. Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. At 2.1 lbs (960 g) it weighs much less than the Zealot S39 at 5.2 lbs (2.34 kg). The catch: Shouty upper mids.

The case for the Zealot S39: A triple-driver array rated 60W total (1 x 30W plus 2 x 15W) is unusually high claimed power for a portable this size, so it should play loudly enough for outdoor use. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. Watch for: No independent measurements or spinorama data exist, so real frequency response, distortion, directivity and bass extension are unknown.

Buy the JBL Charge 5 at $139.95 for a medium speaker, or the Zealot S39 at $78.99 for a large speaker instead.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check JBL Charge 5 price at Amazon ($139.95) →Check Zealot S39 price at Zealot ($78.99) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Charge 5 Zealot S39
Price$139.95$78.99
Ranked#30 of 166 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#59 of 103 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYes-
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz-
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)-
EQYes (3 band)-
Bluetooth Latency125ms-
Maximum SPL99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)-
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)-
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)-
StereoNo-
OmnidirectionalNo-
TWSYes-
Weight2.1 lbs (960 g)5.2 lbs (2.34 kg) (gross)
Aux InputNoYes (AUX)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBC-
Bluetooth Version5.1BT 5.0
Dimensions8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)14.8” x 5.9” x 6.1” (375 x 150 x 154 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter1 x 30W + 2 x 15W (three drivers)
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)80Hz - 20kHz
IP RatingIP67-
Power InputUSB-C-
Amplifier Power40W60W
Built-in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)-
Digital Aux InputNo-
StrapNo-
Battery Capacity-7200mAh
Cabinet Color-Black
MicroSD Playback-Yes (TF card)
USB Playback-Yes (USB flash drive)
Wireless Microphones-Available in bundle variants
Check JBL Charge 5 price at Amazon ($139.95) →Check Zealot S39 price at Zealot ($78.99) →

Watch Them Compared

Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.

More top alternatives to JBL Charge 5:

Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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 5: $139.95 Amazon eBay

JBL Charge 5 ranking card

Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025. It adds USB audio input, but drops the built-in mic. Battery life goes from 20 to 24 hours. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.

Older models: the JBL Charge 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5), 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.

Same family: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi (larger model, ranked higher, rated 4/5).

Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. ~20 hour battery life. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.

Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →

ReleasedMar 2021 (5 years ago)
Amplifier Power40W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBC
Bluetooth Latency125ms
Bluetooth Version5.1
Built-in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter
EQYes (3 band)
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapNo
TWSYes
Weight2.1 lbs (960 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($139.95) →Search eBay for JBL Charge 5 →

Zealot S39: $78.99 Zealot eBay

Zealot S39 ranking card

Pros: A triple-driver array rated 60W total (1 x 30W plus 2 x 15W) is unusually high claimed power for a portable this size, so it should play loudly enough for outdoor use. The 7200mAh battery is large for the class, and Bluetooth 5.0 plus AUX, USB flash-drive and TF-card playback cover wired and offline sources without a phone. At 375 x 150 x 154 mm and 2.34 kg gross it stays carryable. The claimed 80Hz bottom end suggests mid-bass punch rather than true sub-bass. YARNZO Tech’s full review and sound battle rate it competitive for its size and price.

Cons: No independent measurements or spinorama data exist, so real frequency response, distortion, directivity and bass extension are unknown. The published 80Hz low-frequency limit is high, and no IP rating, playtime hours, charging time, codecs, app or EQ are specified, leaving ruggedness and runtime unverified. Bluetooth 5.0 is now dated, and the 2.34 kg gross weight is heavy for genuinely portable use.

Full Zealot S39 review and specifications →

ReleasedAug 2020 (6 years ago)
Amplifier Power60W
Aux InputYes (AUX)
Battery Capacity7200mAh
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth VersionBT 5.0
Cabinet ColorBlack
Dimensions14.8” x 5.9” x 6.1” (375 x 150 x 154 mm)
Drivers1 x 30W + 2 x 15W (three drivers)
Frequency Response80Hz - 20kHz
MicroSD PlaybackYes (TF card)
USB PlaybackYes (USB flash drive)
Weight5.2 lbs (2.34 kg) (gross)
Wireless MicrophonesAvailable in bundle variants
Check current price at Zealot ($78.99) →Search eBay for Zealot S39 →