Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Zealot S97 ranks #66 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $79.98; the JBL Grip ranks #98 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $69.95.
What the Zealot S97 does well: A budget boombox with surprisingly deep bass for its size, waterproofing, power bank outputs, and microSD and aux playback. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Grip lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Grip. 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.
The JBL Grip is the lighter, tougher choice. A small, fully waterproof speaker with app EQ, ambient lighting, Auracast linking and USB-C audio input. At 0.8 lbs (385 g) it weighs much less than the Zealot S97 at 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg). It is rated IP68 against IPX6 for the Zealot S97. The catch: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip.
Buy the Zealot S97 ($79.98) for a large speaker; the JBL Grip ($69.95) suits a medium speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S97 | JBL Grip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.98 | $69.95 |
| Ranked | #66 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #98 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets | Yes (7 band) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP68 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 7.3” x 5.9” (321 x 185 x 151 mm) | 2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 80W | 16W |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 1x 43x80mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~68Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | Yes (strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Grip: