Short answer: the Zealot S97, if you are buying new. The Soundcore Select Pro ranks higher than it (#15 vs #62 of 105 large speakers, 4.4/5 vs 3.4/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Zealot S97 is still sold new at $78.62.
The Soundcore Select Pro is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. A tough 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) speaker with IPX7 protection, app EQ, a claimed 16-hour battery life, USB-C charging, power-bank output and PartyCast for linking up to 100 compatible speakers. It is rated for 16 hours of battery against 12 for the Zealot S97. At 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) it weighs much less than the Zealot S97 at 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg). Watch for: Independent lab listening finds only fair music fidelity: bass is somewhat boomy and lacks deep extension, mids can sound nasal and congested, and treble becomes smeared or sizzly.
The case for the Zealot S97: For a compact 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) boombox, the S97 delivers unusually deep, clean-enough bass with a more sensible default balance than many inexpensive Zealot models. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Soundcore Select Pro lacks. The tradeoff: It is not especially loud for its size, battery life is only a claimed 12 hours, and the bass preset can swamp the rest of the music.
Buy the Zealot S97 if you want one new; the Soundcore Select Pro is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Select Pro | Zealot S97 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $78.62 |
| Ranked | #15 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #62 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Users say it works) | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | 3 EQ presets |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX6 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 5.8” x 7.9” (346 x 148 x 200 mm) | 12.6” x 7.3” x 5.9” (321 x 185 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.75” fullrange + 2x 2.5” passive radiators | 2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 80W |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Soundcore Select Pro compares with other leading options:
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Marshall Stockwell II vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Soundcore Select Pro
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
Soundcore Select Pro: $80 Discontinued eBay
Pros: A tough 1.5kg speaker with IPX7 protection, app EQ, a claimed 16-hour battery life, USB-C charging, power-bank output and PartyCast for linking up to 100 compatible speakers. It reaches a useful 106dB maximum level and offers a lively, bass-forward sound for casual outdoor use.
Cons: Independent lab listening finds only fair music fidelity: bass is somewhat boomy and lacks deep extension, mids can sound nasal and congested, and treble becomes smeared or sizzly. It strains at high volume, lacks an aux input and is discontinued, so it is best chosen for features and durability rather than detail or neutral sound.
Full Soundcore Select Pro review and specifications →
| Released | May 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
| App | Yes (Users say it works) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 5.8” x 7.9” (346 x 148 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.75” fullrange + 2x 2.5” passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: This is shocking! They broke the world pound for pound champ! 😢 More from alanrossreviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: On a Ledge 🪟 Zealot S67 🆚 Soundcore Select Pro - Bluetooth Speaker Comparison More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Chowa: Soundcore Select Pro (Review)
- Snow Queen’s Tech: ANKER SOUNDCORE SELECT PRO VS MOTION BOOM - DO THEY SOUND THE SAME? SOUND TEST ( PLEASE WEAR 🎧)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Select Pro vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Bose SoundLink Max
- Soundcore Select Pro vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Marshall Stockwell II
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Soundcore Boom 2
- See all 38 comparisons
Zealot S97: $78.62 Amazon $78.62 eBay
Pros: For a compact 3.3kg boombox, the S97 delivers unusually deep, clean-enough bass with a more sensible default balance than many inexpensive Zealot models. It also brings IPX6 protection, aux and microSD playback, power-bank outputs, three EQ presets and PartyAdd linking.
Cons: It is not especially loud for its size, battery life is only a claimed 12 hours, and the bass preset can swamp the rest of the music. There is no app or fine-grained EQ, so the Vocal preset is the only practical way to improve the balance. It is still heavy for a speaker with this output ceiling.
Full Zealot S97 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 7.3” x 5.9” (321 x 185 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons