Short answer: the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 for better sound quality, the Zealot S61 for the lower price. The Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 ranks #54 of 136 medium speakers at $49.99. The Zealot S61 ranks #134 at $20, $29.99 cheaper.
What the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 offers: Good battery life - 20+ hours on a charge. IPX7 rated. PartyCast mode links multiple speakers; app EQ presets. Watch for: A little less bass than similar size speakers.
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 Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Zealot S61 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
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 Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 only 24 hours.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 | Zealot S61 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $20 |
| Ranked | #54 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 372 g | 1.5 lbs / 665 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.2" x 2.3" (174 x 57 x 59 mm) | 4.1" x 4.1" x 6.7" (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Output Power | 16W | 20W |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5") titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 66mm full-range |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Power Bank | - | No |
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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
Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2: $49.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Good battery life - 20+ hours on a charge. IPX7 rated. PartyCast mode links multiple speakers; app EQ presets.
Cons: A little less bass than similar size speakers.
Full Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.2" x 2.3" (174 x 57 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5") titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 372 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Anker Soundcore 3 vs Tribit Maxsound Plus - Best £50 speaker More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boost vs Soundcore 3 - Best small bluetooth speaker❓
- HQ AUDIO Exchange: Anker SoundCore 3 Vs. SoundCore Select 2 Bass Sound Test
- Reddit Search for Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 Review
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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