Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It ranks #8 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $329.95. The Zealot ZE01 ranks #36, rated 3.7/5, at $159.90, $170.05 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Partybox Encore Essential is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. Its bass reaches about 38Hz before falling 10dB, against 45Hz for the Zealot ZE01. It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the Zealot ZE01 cannot.
The Zealot ZE01 is the longer-running, tougher choice. Appears to be the same internals as the Zealot S95. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 6 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It is rated IPX6 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. The catch: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $170.05 with the Zealot ZE01 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential | Zealot ZE01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.95 | $159.90 |
| Ranked | #8 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #36 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 13.1” x 11.2” x 8.1” (332 x 284 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | Dual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
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- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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: $329.95 Amazon $329.95 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5, released Feb 2025. Battery life goes from 6 to 15 hours. See every JBL PartyBox Encore generation.
Same family: the JBL Partybox Encore (smaller model, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5).
Pros: JBL Partybox Encore Essential uses 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters. Its 5.9 kg, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 110dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 38Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical! More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample. More from DLXWillington →
- DLX Willington: Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Encore Essential Sound Battle
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Klipsch Gig XXL vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential (Pee-Wee) - Indoors, Plugged In🔌 Bluetooth Speakers More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- YouTube: Klipsch Gig Xl vs JBL Encore Essential
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
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- See all 81 comparisons
Zealot ZE01: $159.90 Amazon $159.90 AliExpress $126.02 eBay
Pros: Appears to be the same internals as the Zealot S95. 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 ZE01 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.1” x 11.2” x 8.1” (332 x 284 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Techder Audios: ZEALOT S89 VS ZEALOT ZE01 EXTREME POWERFULL VS COMPACTER BASS PERFORMANCE! More from techderaudios →
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- YARNZO Tech: Zealot ZE01 Vs Zealot S167 which one will win this sound test 🔊🔥 More from YARNZO Tech →
- J_Strat Battles: ZEALOT ZE01 VS ZEALOT PT11 😲😲
- Head-to-Head Comparisons