Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi for better sound quality, the Zealot S61 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 5 Wifi ranks #25 of 136 medium speakers at $250. The Zealot S61 ranks #134 at $20, $230 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge 5 Wifi offers: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version Watch for: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive. No party mode on the wifi version
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 5 Wifi if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Zealot S61 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
The Zealot S61 is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers; there are better options higher up.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Zealot S61 is rated for 40 hours, the JBL Charge 5 Wifi only 20 hours.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 Wifi | Zealot S61 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 | $20 |
| Ranked | #25 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | - |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1000 g | 1.5 lbs / 665 g |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 97 x 94 mm) | 4.1" x 4.1" x 6.7" (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 66mm full-range |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music | - |
| Output Power | 40W | 20W |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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- JBL Charge 5 Wifi 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 5 Wifi: $250 Amazon eBay
Pros: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive. No party mode on the wifi version
Full JBL Charge 5 Wifi review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 97 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1000 g |
| Wifi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Harman Kardon Luna
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Xiaomi Sound Party
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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