Short answer: the Zealot S89. It ranks #19 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $246.99 and is still sold new; the JBL Boombox 2 ranks #43 (rated 3.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Boombox 2’s replacement, the JBL Boombox 4, is rated 4.0/5 at $549.95.
The Zealot S89 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) boombox with a claimed 36Hz bass extension, 40-hour battery life, IPX6 protection, USB-C charging, aux, USB and microSD playback, TWS and multi-speaker PartyAdd. Its bass reaches about 36Hz before falling 10dB, against 46Hz for the JBL Boombox 2. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 24 for the JBL Boombox 2. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Boombox 2 lacks. The tradeoff: At high volume, listener reports describe the bass as loose or muddy and the overall balance as less clear than better boombox speakers.
What the JBL Boombox 2 does well: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. The catch: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy.
Buy the Zealot S89. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Boombox 2 is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S89 | JBL Boombox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $246.99 | $449.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #19 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #43 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 250W | 160W |
| Dimensions | 21.2” x 10.4” x 9.4” (538 x 265 x 240 mm) | 19.1” x 7.9” x 10.1” (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 40mm drivers + 2x tweeters | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Strap | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 140ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Zealot S89 compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Zealot S89
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Zealot S89
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Zealot S89
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Zealot S89
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Zealot S89: $246.99 Amazon $246.99 AliExpress $193.58 eBay
Pros: A 7.3kg boombox with a claimed 36Hz bass extension, 40-hour battery life, IPX6 protection, USB-C charging, aux, USB and microSD playback, TWS and multi-speaker PartyAdd. Listener comparisons find it capable of very high output and substantial bass for outdoor use. A great value for its bass, battery life and maximum volume. Measured bass extension of 36Hz (-10dB).
Cons: At high volume, listener reports describe the bass as loose or muddy and the overall balance as less clear than better boombox speakers. The heavy cabinet and basic finish also make it less polished for daily portability, while its multiple EQ modes cannot substitute for a genuinely neutral tuning.
Full Zealot S89 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 250W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 21.2” x 10.4” x 9.4” (538 x 265 x 240 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 40mm drivers + 2x tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| 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 |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 - indoor listening fun More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max3 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max3 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Boom Max3 - indoor listening test
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test More from Dominik Reviews →
- Techder Audios: ZEALOT S89 VS ZEALOT ZE01 EXTREME POWERFULL VS COMPACTER BASS PERFORMANCE! More from techderaudios →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Zealot PT21 Vs Zealot S89!!! 😈😈😈
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot s89 vs zealot s98 Full sound comparison (with DB sound meter App) More from YARNZO Tech →
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot s98 vs zealot s89 and zealot s95 outdoor sound battle 🔊
- J_Strat Battles: Zealot S89 (Revised Version) vs PT11
- UFO SoYLX: Zealot S98 Vs Zealot S89 Deep Bass speaker 2025 📟
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Boombox 2: $449.99 Discontinued Amazon $449.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025.
Older model: the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5). See every JBL Boombox generation.
Pros: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. IPX7 rated. Doubles as a power bank. Bluetooth 5.1 with PartyBoost (up to 100 speakers). Reaches 101dB. Measured bass extension of 46Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 140ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1” x 7.9” x 10.1” (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 review vs JBL Boombox 2 a subwoofer and a 3 way equals heaven? 💋 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 vs Onyx Studio 7 big bass battle 💋
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Boombox 2 big bass boombox speakers 💕
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 bass monster or the mature Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini for bass?? 💥
- Mateusz Cholewa: 2 x 🔊Teufel Boomster 2021🎵 vs JBL Boombox 2 AC🔌 Power Test Audio🎧. More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- YARNZO Tech: Outdoor sound test between zealot s98 and jbl boombox2 👂🎧🔊 More from YARNZO Tech →
- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Go Vs JBL Boombox 2 Vs UE Hyperboom Vs Sony XG500 More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons