Short answer: the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus. It ranks #5 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $349.95. The Zealot ZE01 ranks #35, rated 3.7/5, at $169.90, $180.05 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus is the better-sounding choice. Well balanced with strong vocals, and its front-firing bass ports give it cleaner, smoother bass than other PartyBoxes, so even the Punchy bass boost setting never overpowers the vocals. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Zealot ZE01 cannot. The tradeoff: The bass has less kick and physical impact than the Encore 2 or PartyBox Club 120, and the Club 120 gets noticeably louder.
The Zealot ZE01 is the longer-running, tougher pick. Appears to be the same internals as the S95. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 15 for the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus. It is rated IPX6 against IPX4 for the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus. The tradeoff: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.
Buy the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $180.05 you would save on the Zealot ZE01 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus | Zealot ZE01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $169.90 |
| Ranked | #5 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #35 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL One app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, Deep and Punchy bass boost) | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 11V/2A) | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.2 lbs (6.45 kg) | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included | - |
| Microphone Input | No (wireless only) | - |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3 | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Dimensions | 19.7” x 10.2” x 8.7” (501 x 258 x 221 mm) | 13.1” x 11.2” x 8.1” (332 x 284 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | Dual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 45Hz |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 On-The-Go 2 Plus: $349.95 Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox On the Go (ranked lower, rated 3/5).
Pros: Well balanced with strong vocals, and its front-firing bass ports give it cleaner, smoother bass than other PartyBoxes, so even the Punchy bass boost setting never overpowers the vocals. It gets a touch louder than the PartyBox Encore 2. EasySing AI vocal removal strips vocals from any song on the speaker itself, with 25%, 50% or 100% removal, and the included rechargeable wireless mic has a tight pickup pattern that rejects handling noise. A removable 34Wh battery shared with the Encore 2 and PartyBox 120, a claimed 15 hours, a padded shoulder strap, USB-C playback and charging, a 3.5mm aux input, Auracast and a light show.
Cons: The bass has less kick and physical impact than the Encore 2 or PartyBox Club 120, and the Club 120 gets noticeably louder. There is no wired microphone or guitar input, so more mics means buying JBL’s EasySing mics separately, and AI vocal removal is disabled while the speaker is linked to other speakers over Auracast. Real world battery life is closer to 7 hours at 80% volume with lights and bass boost on. IPX4 only covers splashes, the grille dents easily, and the battery must be installed for it to run even when plugged in.
Full JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL One app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 19.7” x 10.2” x 8.7” (501 x 258 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, Deep and Punchy bass boost) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | No (wireless only) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 11V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 14.2 lbs (6.45 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Aiwa Exos-9
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- See all 58 comparisons
Zealot ZE01: $169.90 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: Appears to be the same internals as the 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 →
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons