JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Zealot S95

Last updated: September 19, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2, for cleaner off axis sound. Its dome tweeters over cone appear to give better off axis performance, though it is missing a little bit of upper bass. The Zealot S95 is a good value for the boombox class, but it is a little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.

JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Zealot S95

What the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 gets right: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. The catch: Missing a little bit of upper bass.

On the Zealot S95 side: A good value for the boombox class. Set against that: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.

Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $96.71 saving on the Zealot S95 is not enough to make up the difference.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at Amazon ($254.12) →Buy the Zealot S95 at Amazon ($157.41) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 Zealot S95
Price$254.12$157.41
Ranked#5 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#26 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYes (JBL PartyBox app)No
Aux InputYesYes
Battery Life15 hours (Manufacturer specified)12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneNoNo
EQYes (7 band App EQ)Yes (multiple modes)
Guitar InputYes-
IP RatingIPX4IPX6
Microphone InputYes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)-
Party ModeYes (Auracast)Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-C)Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A)
Power InputAC Power cordUSB-C
StereoYesYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
USB PlaybackYesYes
Weight13.7 lbs (6.2 kg)11.3 lbs (5.11 kg)
Wireless MicrophonesNo-
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC
Bluetooth Version5.45.3
Amplifier Power100W RMS120W
Dimensions12.6" x 13.5" x 10.3" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm)14.1" x 9.6" x 6.6" (358 x 243 x 167 mm)
Drivers1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters130W subwoofer + dual drivers
Maximum SPL110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)-
Digital Aux InputNoNo
LightsYes-
Bass Extension (-10dB)-45Hz
MicroSD Playback-Yes
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 at Amazon ($254.12) →Buy the Zealot S95 at Amazon ($157.41) →

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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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 Partybox Encore Essential 2: $254.12 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 ranking card

Pros: A compact 6.2kg party speaker with 100W output, 110dB maximum level, a 15-hour claimed battery, app-based 7-band EQ, dynamic lighting, USB playback, guitar and mic inputs, and Auracast linking. Independent testing finds a balanced midrange, genuinely punchy low bass and enough output for a backyard gathering; its dome tweeters also improve the earlier Encore’s high-frequency behavior.

Cons: It is front-facing, so the sound changes noticeably to the sides and behind it, and bass compression reduces kick-drum impact at maximum volume. Bluetooth latency can cause lip-sync issues, its IPX4 rating only covers splashes, and it omits the wireless microphones bundled with the non-Essential Encore 2.

Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power100W RMS
AppYes (JBL PartyBox app)
Aux InputYes
Battery Life15 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.4
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions12.6" x 13.5" x 10.3" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm)
Drivers1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters
EQYes (7 band App EQ)
Guitar InputYes
IP RatingIPX4
LightsYes
Maximum SPL110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Microphone InputYes (Karaoke mode with echo effect)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C)
Power InputAC Power cord
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight13.7 lbs (6.2 kg)
Wireless MicrophonesNo
Check current price at Amazon ($254.12) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 →

Zealot S95: $157.41 Amazon Aliexpress eBay

Zealot S95 ranking card

Pros: A good value for the boombox class. Appears to be the same internals as the ZE01. Bigger case and goes deeper than the ZE01. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).

Cons: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers.

Full Zealot S95 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power120W
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)45Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions14.1" x 9.6" x 6.6" (358 x 243 x 167 mm)
Drivers130W subwoofer + dual drivers
EQYes (multiple modes)
IP RatingIPX6
MicroSD PlaybackYes
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight11.3 lbs (5.11 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($157.41) →Check current price at Aliexpress →Search eBay for Zealot S95 →