Short answer: the Zealot S97 for clean bass at low volume, the JBL Xtreme for battery life. The Xtreme runs 15 hours, but the source flags bass distortion at high volumes. The S97 is the value pick for deep bass and a reasonable tuning, with the caveat that it does not get very loud.
Buy the Zealot S97. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Xtreme is no longer sold new.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S97 | JBL Xtreme | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $78.62 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #55 of 93 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #63 of 93 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets | No |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 7.3” x 5.9” (321 x 185 x 151 mm) | 11.1” x 5” x 4.8” (283 x 126 x 122 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 80W | 40W |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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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 S97: $78.62 Amazon eBay
Pros: For a compact 3.3kg boombox, the S97 delivers unusually deep, clean-enough bass with a more sensible default balance than many inexpensive Zealot models. It also brings IPX6 protection, aux and microSD playback, power-bank outputs, three EQ presets and PartyAdd linking.
Cons: 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. There is no app or fine-grained EQ, so the Vocal preset is the only practical way to improve the balance. It is still heavy for a speaker with this output ceiling.
Full Zealot S97 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 7.3” x 5.9” (321 x 185 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets |
| 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 |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Xtreme: $200 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5.
Pros: 15 hour battery. IPX7 water resistance. JBL Connect for pairing with other JBL speakers. Built-in microphone for calls.
Cons: Issues with bass distortion at high volumes. An older speaker outclassed by newer releases of the Xtreme. External AC power brick for charging. Discontinued.
Full JBL Xtreme review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.1” x 5” x 4.8” (283 x 126 x 122 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons