Short answer: the LG Xboom Bounce. It ranks #33 of 115 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $103.17. The Zealot S97 ranks #63, rated 3.4/5, at $79.98, $23.19 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Zealot S97: A budget boombox with surprisingly deep bass for its size, waterproofing, power bank outputs, and microSD and aux playback. Watch for: 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 LG Xboom Bounce is the better-sounding, longer-running option. A tough, waterproof speaker that survives drops and extreme temperatures, with a long battery and multipoint pairing. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 12 for the Zealot S97. At 2.9 lbs (1.32 kg) it weighs much less than the Zealot S97 at 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Zealot S97 lacks. The tradeoff: Bass extension not as deep as the top speakers.
Buy the LG Xboom Bounce. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $23.19 saving on the Zealot S97 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A budget boombox with surprisingly deep bass for its size, waterproofing, power bank outputs, and microSD and aux playback.
A tough, waterproof speaker that survives drops and extreme temperatures, with a long battery and multipoint pairing.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S97 | LG Xboom Bounce | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.98 | $103.17 |
| Ranked | #63 of 115 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #33 of 115 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 2.9 lbs (1.32 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 7.3” x 5.9” (321 x 185 x 151 mm) | 10.3” x 3.7” x 3.9” (261.6 x 94 x 99.1 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 80W | 40W |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 63mm woofer + dual dome tweeters (Peerless) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 54Hz |
| Wi-Fi | - | No |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | Yes (adjustable strap) |
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