Short answer: the Turtlebox for better sound quality, the Zealot S78 for the lower price. The Turtlebox ranks #70 of 73 boombox speakers at $329. The Zealot S78 ranks #73 at $91.38, $237.62 cheaper.
What the Turtlebox offers: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume). Pairs with a second unit for stereo. Watch for: Sounds basically identical to the later Gen 2 and Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. They pretty much lie about all their specs and sound horrible in all youtube sound samples. Only 50w (from their indigogo page), will never hit 120db at a reasonable measuring distance. Putting your db meter right against the speaker doesn’t count, 1 meter distance is the standard. Barely any bass. Rattles at high volume. Uses an external AC power brick to charge, before USB-C was added on the Gen 2. Looking at it, it appears to be a generic car 2-way 6x9 speaker in a plastic box.
What the Zealot S78 offers: 120W RMS output with 150W peak power, exceptional 40-hour battery life, power bank function, IP67 waterproof, EQ with multiple modes, dual woofers with tweeters and passive radiators, MicroSD and USB playback, AUX input, TWS stereo pairing, USB-C charging Watch for: Gets distorted above 50%. Not much bass. Volume level fluctuates at high volume.
Buy the Turtlebox if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Zealot S78 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 73 boombox speakers instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Zealot S78 is rated for 40 hours versus 25 hours for the Turtlebox.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox | Zealot S78 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 Discontinued | $91.38 |
| Ranked | #70 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #73 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg | 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (multiple modes) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | - |
| Output Power | 50W | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 16.1" x 6.6" x 7.3" (410 x 167 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter | 2x ~120mm (4.72") woofers + 2x ~42mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
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- Altec Lansing Rockbox XL 2.0 vs Zealot ZE41
- Turtlebox vs W-King X10
- Braven XXL 2 vs Zealot S78
Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM 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
Turtlebox: $329 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume). Pairs with a second unit for stereo.
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the later Gen 2 and Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. They pretty much lie about all their specs and sound horrible in all youtube sound samples. Only 50w (from their indigogo page), will never hit 120db at a reasonable measuring distance. Putting your db meter right against the speaker doesn’t count, 1 meter distance is the standard. Barely any bass. Rattles at high volume. Uses an external AC power brick to charge, before USB-C was added on the Gen 2. Looking at it, it appears to be a generic car 2-way 6x9 speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.
Full Turtlebox review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Turtlebox Gen 1 vs JBL Partybox 110 Review
- Outeraudio: Turtlebox vs EcoXgear Defender Sound Comparison
- Risk Profile: TurtleBox Demo Risk Profile Podcast
- Everyday Man: Soundboks Go Vs Turttlebox Vs EcoXGear Defender
- KosherTech: Soundcore Rave VS Turtlebox- (Sound Test Only)🎧
- Reddit Search for Turtlebox Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Zealot S78: $91.38 Aliexpress Amazon eBay
Pros: 120W RMS output with 150W peak power, exceptional 40-hour battery life, power bank function, IP67 waterproof, EQ with multiple modes, dual woofers with tweeters and passive radiators, MicroSD and USB playback, AUX input, TWS stereo pairing, USB-C charging
Cons: Gets distorted above 50%. Not much bass. Volume level fluctuates at high volume.
Full Zealot S78 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1" x 6.6" x 7.3" (410 x 167 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x ~120mm (4.72") woofers + 2x ~42mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Zealot S78 Bluetooth Boombox Battle Outdoor Tailgater Special 🚗 Let the Whoopin’ Begin More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: DBSOARS F29 Max vs Zealot S78 🛜 (5B) Budget Bluetooth Boombox Basement Battle 🔊 Bass Modes Enabled
- Reddit Search for Zealot S78 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons


