Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential on measured sound quality, the Zealot S61 on price. The JBL Flip Essential ranks #66 of 136 medium speakers at $130. The Zealot S61 ranks #134 at $20, $110 cheaper.
What the JBL Flip Essential offers: Aux input for wired sources. IPX7 rated. Genuinely portable at under a pound; a cheaper, more basic alternative to the Flip 5. Watch for: Less bass than a Flip 5.
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 Essential when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Zealot S61 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
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.
Battery life favors the Zealot S61: rated for 40 hours against 10 hours for the JBL Flip Essential.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Zealot S61 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $20 |
| Ranked | #66 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | - |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g | 1.5 lbs / 665 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 66mm full-range |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 4.1" x 4.1" x 6.7" (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | 20W |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| 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 JBL Charge 3
- JBL Charge 3 vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- W-King D320 vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Zealot S61
- JBL Flip 7 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 Essential: $130 eBay
Pros: Aux input for wired sources. IPX7 rated. Genuinely portable at under a pound; a cheaper, more basic alternative to the Flip 5.
Cons: Less bass than a Flip 5.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Flip Essential vs Klipsch Nashville
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Flip Essential vs Sony XB23
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge Essential
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 5
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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