Short answer: the Zealot S95, unless the light show is the point. The Skullcandy Barrel is water-resistant (IPX5) with an LED lightshow synced to music, but its bass is not as deep as the top ranked speakers. The S95 is a good value in the boombox class, a little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.
Buy the Zealot S95. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Skullcandy Barrel and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S95 | Skullcandy Barrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $157.41 | $162.18 |
| Ranked | #34 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #55 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 11.3 lbs (5.11 kg) | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 120W | 60W |
| Dimensions | 14.1” x 9.6” x 6.6” (358 x 243 x 167 mm) | 11.8” x 22.1” x 9.6” (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + dual drivers | 2x 20mm drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Zealot S95 compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom X vs Zealot S95
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Zealot S95
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Zealot S95
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Zealot S95
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Zealot S95
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
Zealot S95: $157.41 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: A good value for the boombox class. Appears to be the same internals as the ZE01. Bigger case and goes deeper than the ZE01. 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 S95 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 120W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1” x 9.6” x 6.6” (358 x 243 x 167 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + dual drivers |
| 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, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 11.3 lbs (5.11 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S95!!! More from Jagistreviews →
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- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs Zealot S95!!!
- Techder Audios: W-king X20 VS Zealot S95 DEEP BASS VS DEEPER & LOUDER BASS?! More from techderaudios →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Skullcandy Barrel: $162.18 Amazon eBay
Pros: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. 12 hour battery life. Bass Boost mode. Multi-Link feature connects up to 99 speakers. Doubles as phone charger. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers. Not as loud as the top ranked speakers. Rolled off treble.
Full Skullcandy Barrel review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 22.1” x 9.6” (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) |
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