Short answer: the JBL Flip 5 for better sound quality, the Zealot S61 for the lower price. The JBL Flip 5 ranks #62 of 136 medium speakers at $64.97. The Zealot S61 ranks #134 at $20, $44.97 cheaper.
What the JBL Flip 5 offers: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated. Watch for: Not stereo. Boosted upper bass. Piercing sound when turned up. Peaky lower treble at higher volumes.
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 Flip 5 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.
If battery life is a priority, the Zealot S61 is rated for 40 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Flip 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 5 | Zealot S61 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.97 Discontinued | $20 |
| Ranked | #62 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms | - |
| Max Volume | 92dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 540 g | 1.5 lbs / 665 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange | 66mm full-range |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.9" (181 x 69 x 74 mm) | 4.1" x 4.1" x 6.7" (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 20W RMS | 20W |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Power Bank | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- JBL Flip 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
- JBL Flip 4 vs Tribit Xsound Surf
- W-King D8 Mini vs Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3
- JBL Flip 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
- Tribit Stormbox vs Zealot S61
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 Flip 5: $64.97 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated.
Cons: Not stereo. Boosted upper bass. Piercing sound when turned up. Peaky lower treble at higher volumes. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 5 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.9" (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 540 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2 More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Techder Audios: #JBL Flip 5 VS #JBL Flip Essential “IMPRESSIVE COMPARISON!?” More from techderaudios →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 5 Review
- 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