Short answer: the Zealot ZE01. It ranks #35 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5) at $159.90 and is still sold new; the Turtlebox ranks #87 (rated 2.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Turtlebox’s replacement, the Turtlebox Gen 3, is rated 2.1/5 at $430.
The Turtlebox is the lighter pick. Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. At 10 lbs (4.54 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Zealot ZE01 at 13.2 lbs (6 kg). Watch for: Sounds basically identical to the later Turtlebox Gen 2 and Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
The Zealot ZE01 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Appears to be the same internals as the Zealot S95. Its bass reaches about 45Hz before falling 10dB, against 65Hz for the Turtlebox. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 25 for the Turtlebox. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Turtlebox lacks. The tradeoff: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.
Buy the Zealot ZE01. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Turtlebox is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox | Zealot ZE01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 Discontinued | $159.90 |
| Ranked | #87 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #35 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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-C) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 13.1” x 11.2” x 8.1” (332 x 284 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter | Dual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Zealot ZE01:
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- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Zealot ZE01
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Zealot ZE01
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Zealot ZE01
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Zealot ZE01
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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 eBay
Newer model: the Turtlebox Gen 3, ranked higher, rated 2.1/5, released Feb 2025. See every Turtlebox generation.
Pros: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume). Pairs with a second unit for stereo. Measured bass extension of ~65Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the later Turtlebox Gen 2 and Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. The nearly identical Turtlebox Gen 3 measured a V shaped tuning, with boosted lows and highs and dipped mids, yet bass only down 10dB at about 65Hz, and only about 12W RMS from its amp; Turtlebox rated this one at just 50W. It rattles at high volume. Nowhere near its claimed 120dB at a standard one meter distance. It charges from an external AC power brick. Inside is essentially a car audio 6x9 two way speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.
Full Turtlebox review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2018 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Zealot ZE01: $159.90 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: Appears to be the same internals as the Zealot 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 →
| Released | Jan 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| 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