JBL Charge 5 vs Zealot S85

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 S85 ranks #54 of 103 large speakers by sound quality.

JBL Charge 5 vs Zealot S85

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 S85 at 4 lbs (1.81 kg). Watch for: Shouty upper mids.

What the Zealot S85 does well: 50W claimed (60W peak) from a 4 lbs (1.81 kg) cabinet measuring 25.7 x 10.5 x 15.5 cm, with a published 20Hz-20kHz response and separate tweeters plus bass woofers rather than one full-range driver. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 5. The catch: All performance figures are manufacturer claims: there are no independent frequency-response, SPL, distortion or impedance measurements, so real bass extension, maximum output and headroom are unknown.

Buy the JBL Charge 5 for a medium speaker; the Zealot S85 suits a large speaker instead.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check JBL Charge 5 price at Amazon ($139.95) →Check Zealot S85 price at Amazon →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Charge 5 Zealot S85
Price$139.95-
Ranked#30 of 166 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#54 of 103 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYes-
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz-
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)-
EQYes (3 band)3 modes (deep bass / vocal / balanced)
Bluetooth Latency125ms-
Maximum SPL99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)-
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)Yes (dual pairing)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)-
StereoNoYes
OmnidirectionalNo-
TWSYesYes
Weight2.1 lbs (960 g)4 lbs (1.81 kg)
Aux InputNoYes (3.5mm line-in)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBC-
Bluetooth Version5.1BT 5.3
Dimensions8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)25.7 x 10.5 x 15.5 cm
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter40W tweeters plus bass woofers (driver sizes not published)
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)20Hz - 20kHz
IP RatingIP67IPX6
Power InputUSB-CType-C, DC 5V
Amplifier Power40W50W (60W peak)
Built-in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)-
Digital Aux InputNo-
StrapNo-
Battery Capacity-8000mAh
Cabinet Color-Black
Features-RGB lighting, TWS dual pairing (2 x S85 = 100W claimed), 4 play modes (BT / USB / TF card / line-in)
Lights-RGB (rhythm-synced)
MicroSD Playback-Yes (TF card)
USB Playback-Yes (flash drive)
Warranty-1 year
Check JBL Charge 5 price at Amazon ($139.95) →Check Zealot S85 price at Amazon →

Watch Them Compared

Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.

How JBL Charge 5 compares with other leading options:

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 S85 Amazon eBay

Zealot S85 ranking card

Pros: 50W claimed (60W peak) from a 1.81 kg cabinet measuring 25.7 x 10.5 x 15.5 cm, with a published 20Hz-20kHz response and separate tweeters plus bass woofers rather than one full-range driver. The 8000mAh battery, Type-C charging, IPX6 sealing and anti-slip body suit camping, beach and workshop use. Three EQ modes, four inputs (Bluetooth 5.3, USB, TF card, 3.5mm line-in) and TWS pairing of two units for a claimed 100W cover solo listening and small parties, while rhythm-synced RGB lighting and a one-year warranty complete the package. Techder Audios calls it the clearer speaker against the Tronsmart Mirtune S100 and rates its bass and clarity highly for the price.

Cons: All performance figures are manufacturer claims: there are no independent frequency-response, SPL, distortion or impedance measurements, so real bass extension, maximum output and headroom are unknown. The 20Hz figure is implausible for a 1.8 kg passive portable, and driver sizes, charging time and Bluetooth codecs are undocumented. IPX6 resists water jets and rain but not immersion. No companion app, built-in call microphone or power-bank output is documented, and the 8000mAh is quoted at 3.7 V from a 7.4V/4000mAh pack, so real runtime is unverified. Reaction is not unanimous: one independent reviewer was sharply disappointed by the build and sound.

Full Zealot S85 review and specifications →

ReleasedJul 2024 (2 years ago)
Amplifier Power50W (60W peak)
Aux InputYes (3.5mm line-in)
Battery Capacity8000mAh
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth VersionBT 5.3
Cabinet ColorBlack
Dimensions25.7 x 10.5 x 15.5 cm
Drivers40W tweeters plus bass woofers (driver sizes not published)
EQ3 modes (deep bass / vocal / balanced)
FeaturesRGB lighting, TWS dual pairing (2 x S85 = 100W claimed), 4 play modes (BT / USB / TF card / line-in)
Frequency Response20Hz - 20kHz
IP RatingIPX6
LightsRGB (rhythm-synced)
MicroSD PlaybackYes (TF card)
Party ModeYes (dual pairing)
Power InputType-C, DC 5V
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes (flash drive)
Warranty1 year
Weight4 lbs (1.81 kg)
Check current price at Amazon →Search eBay for Zealot S85 →