Short answer: the JBL Partybox 100 for better sound quality, the Zealot PT21 for the lower price. The JBL Partybox 100 ranks #6 of 50 party speakers at $449.99. The Zealot PT21 ranks #15 at $216.73, $233.26 cheaper.
What the JBL Partybox 100 offers: Quite neutral sound, pretty deep bass. Watch for: A slight peak in the upper mids.
What the Zealot PT21 gets right: Dual 166mm woofers and 200W output in a lighter, more compact body than the ZE41, with a bundled wireless microphone and echo effect built in for karaoke. The catch: Unlike some other Zealot models, app-based EQ customization doesn’t appear to be fully supported yet, and IPX5 means it can handle splashes but not submersion.
Buy the JBL Partybox 100 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Zealot PT21 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If water resistance matters to you, the Zealot PT21 at IPX5 (water jets) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox 100 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 100 | Zealot PT21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 Discontinued | $216.73 |
| Ranked | #6 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #15 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Charging Time | 6.5 hours | - |
| Dimensions | 11.3" x 21.7" x 11.4" (288 x 551 x 290 mm) | 21.1" x 8.6" x 11.9" (535 x 219 x 303 mm) |
| EQ | No | Yes (Bass, Voice, Standard modes) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | None | IPX5 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | Type-C |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 21.4 lbs / 9.7 kg | 20.7 lbs / 9.4 kg |
| Output Power | 160W | 200W |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25" (133mm) woofers + 2x 2.25" (57mm) tweeters | 2x 166mm woofers + tweeters + midrange drivers |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Capacity | - | 48000mAh (12x4000mAh) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Partybox 110 vs W-King T12
- JBL Partybox 110 vs Soundcore Rave 3/3s
- JBL Partybox 110 vs JBL Partybox 300
- Zealot PT21 vs Sony SRS-XP500
- Zealot PT21 vs Mackie Thump Go
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox 100: $449.99 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Quite neutral sound, pretty deep bass.
Cons: A slight peak in the upper mids. Slight TWS issue where the 2nd is slightly delayed. Just as loud and slightly deeper bass than a Stormbox Blast which is way smaller with better sound quality. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal. Discontinued.
Full JBL Partybox 100 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Charging Time | 6.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3" x 21.7" x 11.4" (288 x 551 x 290 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25" (133mm) woofers + 2x 2.25" (57mm) tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 160W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 21.4 lbs / 9.7 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- KULAS TECH SHOW: JBL Partybox 310, 100, on the Go Sound comparison
- DLX Willington: 🥰🙄SONY SRS XP500 vs JBL Partybox 100 Sound battle with sound sample love and hate this
- HQ AUDIO Exchange: Bose S1 Pro vs. JBL PartyBox 100 Bass Sound Test 😱💥🔥
- DLX Willington: JBL Partybox 100 vs UE Hyperboom SoundBattle Does Size Matter🤔
- Stereo Specs: 🔥JBL PARTYBOX 100 vs PANASONIC SC TMAX10🔥BIG BASS Sound🔊Best 2021 Deep Sound Speakers👑USA
- DLX Willington: 🤣JBL Partybox 100 vs Sony GTK XB60 Sound Battle You Asked For It
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Partybox 100
- Vua2hand: Solo Braven XXL/2 vs JBL Partybox 100 Sound test l Braven hay Jbl ?!!
- Reddit Search for JBL Partybox 100 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 130
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 110
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 300
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox 100 vs Electro-Voice Everse 12
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 100 vs JBL Partybox 330
- See all 14 comparisons
Zealot PT21: $216.73 Aliexpress
Pros: Dual 166mm woofers and 200W output in a lighter, more compact body than the ZE41, with a bundled wireless microphone and echo effect built in for karaoke. Quite deep bass for the price, even deeper than the JBL Boombox 4 in direct comparisons.
Cons: Unlike some other Zealot models, app-based EQ customization doesn’t appear to be fully supported yet, and IPX5 means it can handle splashes but not submersion.
Full Zealot PT21 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Capacity | 48000mAh (12x4000mAh) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 21.1" x 8.6" x 11.9" (535 x 219 x 303 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 166mm woofers + tweeters + midrange drivers |
| EQ | Yes (Bass, Voice, Standard modes) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 200W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Type-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs / 9.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Zealot PT21 Vs Jbl Boombox 4!!! 😁😁😁
- Techder Audios: Zealot PT21 - Soundtest “BUDGET PARTYBOX WITH BASS ?”
- Jagist reviews: Zealot PT21 Vs Zealot Ze21!!! 🥰😍🥰
- Jagist reviews: Zealot PT21 Unboxing And Review!!! 😈😈😈
- Techder Audios: Zealot PT21 VS Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra “BASS VS QUALITY BASS!?”
- Jagist reviews: Zealot Ze41 Vs Zealot PT21!!! BATTLE OF THE BROTHERS!!! 😝😝😝
- Jagist reviews: Zealot PT21 Vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max3!!! 💥💥💥
- Jagist reviews: Zealot PT21 Vs Zealot S89!!! 😈😈😈
- Jagist reviews: Zealot PT21 Vs LG xboom Stage301!!! 🫣🫣🫣
- Jagist reviews: Zealot PT21 Slim Back Rattle Fix!!!😇😇😇
- Reddit Search for Zealot PT21 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons