Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore for better sound quality, the Zealot ZE21 for the lower price. The JBL Partybox Encore ranks #6 of 73 boombox speakers at $230. The Zealot ZE21 ranks #15 at $187.15, $42.85 cheaper.
On the JBL Partybox Encore side: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker. Set against that: Only 10 hours of battery at medium volume.
The case for the Zealot ZE21: Great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class, though the Zealot ZE41 now beats it out. The tradeoff: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Zealot ZE21 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Zealot ZE21 is rated for 40 hours versus 6 hours for the JBL Partybox Encore.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore | Zealot ZE21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 | $187.15 |
| Ranked | #6 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #15 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | 36Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 | - |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 116dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) | 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 | 13.9 lbs / 6.3 kg | 20.4 lbs / 9.27 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 250W |
| Dimensions | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 16.7" x 10.3" x 14.3" (424 x 262 x 363 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 130W subwoofer + 2x 50mm woofers + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
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- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Zealot ZE41
- Monster Rockin’ Roller 270 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs JBL Partybox Encore
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Encore: $230 Walmart
Pros: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker. 2 included wireless microphones.
Cons: Only 10 hours of battery at medium volume. Poor water rating.
Full JBL Partybox Encore review and specifications →
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs / 6.3 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical!
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: outdoors
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun UBoom X: indoors
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade
- Alan Ross Reviews: This changed my opinion on JBL speakers!
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample.
- True Techy: BOSE S1 Pro vs JBLPartybox ENCORE This Comparison SHOCKED me!!!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT Boombox vs. JBL Partybox Encore Party Speaker.🛜 How Low Can You Go?😲
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tronsmart Halo 200 vs JBL Partybox Encore 🔊 Sound Check & Wireless Microphone test 🔋 Battery Powered
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: ONN Large Party Speaker Gen 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore 🛻 Tailgater Special 🔋 Battery Powered
- Dominik Reviews: Soundcore Rave 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore - Quick Sound Test! 🤗
- Reddit Search for JBL Partybox Encore Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Aiwa Exos-9
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Earfun Uboom X
- See all 18 comparisons
Zealot ZE21: $187.15 Aliexpress Amazon
Pros: Great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class, though the Zealot ZE41 now beats it out.
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. Bass EQ is bloated and muddy sounding
Full Zealot ZE21 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.7" x 10.3" x 14.3" (424 x 262 x 363 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 50mm woofers + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 116dB |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 250W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 20.4 lbs / 9.27 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot Ze21!!!
- Jagist reviews: Zealot Ze21 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2!!!
- Techder Audios: JBL Boombox 4 VS Zealot ZE21 BATTLE OF THE BOOMBOXES!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Boombox 3 Tailgater Special @20ft. The Budget Beast Against the OG Boombox
- Reddit Search for Zealot ZE21 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Zealot ZE21 vs Zealot ZE41
- Zealot ZE21 vs Zealot S89
- Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- See all 19 comparisons