Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB20 if sound quality matters most, the Zealot S61 if price matters most. The Sony SRS-XB20 ranks #94 of 136 medium speakers at $129. The Zealot S61 ranks #134 at $20, $109 cheaper.
What the Sony SRS-XB20 offers: IPX5 rated pill shape slides easily into a bag. 12 hour battery life. Watch for: Sounds thin at higher volumes. Bass falls away quickly.
What the Zealot S61 offers: 20W output, IPX7 waterproof, exceptional 40-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.2, TWS stereo pairing, compact 665g design, single full-range driver, built-in microphone, AUX input, USB-C charging Watch for: Sounds like a soup can, no bass at all. Weird frequency response all over.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB20 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Zealot S61 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Zealot S61. It ranks near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Zealot S61 is rated for 40 hours, the Sony SRS-XB20 only 12 hours.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB20 | Zealot S61 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129 | $20 |
| Ranked | #94 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g | 1.5 lbs / 665 g |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | - |
| Dimensions | 7.8" x 2.7" x 2.7" (198 x 68 x 69 mm) | 4.1" x 4.1" x 6.7" (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| App | Yes (SongPal) | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Output Power | 20W | 20W |
| Drivers | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 66mm full-range |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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- Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs Zealot S61
- JBL Flip 7 vs Zealot S61
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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
Sony SRS-XB20: $129 eBay
Pros: IPX5 rated pill shape slides easily into a bag. 12 hour battery life.
Cons: Sounds thin at higher volumes. Bass falls away quickly.
Full Sony SRS-XB20 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (SongPal) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8" x 2.7" x 2.7" (198 x 68 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Tribit Stormbox
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Sony SRS-XE300
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- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Marshall Emberton III
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
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Zealot S61: $20 Amazon Aliexpress eBay
Pros: 20W output, IPX7 waterproof, exceptional 40-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.2, TWS stereo pairing, compact 665g design, single full-range driver, built-in microphone, AUX input, USB-C charging
Cons: Sounds like a soup can, no bass at all. Weird frequency response all over.
Full Zealot S61 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1" x 4.1" x 6.7" (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 66mm full-range |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 665 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons