Short answer: the Zealot S97. It ranks #62 of 103 large speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $78.62; the Zealot PT01 ranks #73, rated 3.1/5, and costs $79.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Zealot S97: For a compact 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) boombox, the S97 delivers unusually deep, clean-enough bass with a more sensible default balance than many inexpensive Zealot models. The catch: 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 Zealot PT01 is the lighter choice. A compact 14.3 x 12.2 x 14.5 cm, 3.2 lbs (1.47 kg) cube with a moulded carry handle, so it is easy to move between rooms, campsites and parties. At 3.2 lbs (1.47 kg) it weighs much less than the Zealot S97 at 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg). The tradeoff: The published 20Hz-20kHz response is a generic rating, not measured bass extension; one 79mm driver cannot produce deep sub-bass, and an independent reviewer found the passive radiators stiff and leaking air, with bass ‘not that great’.
Buy the Zealot S97. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Zealot PT01 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S97 | Zealot PT01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $78.62 | $79.99 |
| Ranked | #62 of 103 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #73 of 103 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets | 3 EQ presets |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | - |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Type-C, DC 5V |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | No | - |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 3.2 lbs (1.47 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | BT 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 7.3” x 5.9” (321 x 185 x 151 mm) | 14.3 x 12.2 x 14.5 cm |
| Amplifier Power | 80W | 30W |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 79mm x 1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Battery Capacity | - | 6000mAh |
| Features | - | Carrying handle, RGB lighting, three EQ presets |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 20kHz |
| Lights | - | RGB light ring |
| Wireless Microphones | - | 1 handheld microphone (bundle version) |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Zealot S97:
- Vifa Helsinki vs Zealot S97
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Zealot S97
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Zealot S97
- Brane X vs Zealot S97
- Zealot S97 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 →
| Released | Apr 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
Zealot PT01: $79.99 Zealot eBay
Pros: A compact 14.3 x 12.2 x 14.5 cm, 1.47 kg cube with a moulded carry handle, so it is easy to move between rooms, campsites and parties. A single 79mm full-range driver is fed by a claimed 30W amplifier and a 6000mAh battery, a large cell for this size, recharged over Type-C. Bluetooth 5.4 covers roughly 10m, and a ring of RGB lighting, a three-preset EQ and an optional handheld microphone cover casual outdoor listening and karaoke.
Cons: The published 20Hz-20kHz response is a generic rating, not measured bass extension; one 79mm driver cannot produce deep sub-bass, and an independent reviewer found the passive radiators stiff and leaking air, with bass ‘not that great’. No IP rating, runtime or charging time is given on the official spec sheet, so weather resistance and battery life remain unverified. No independent measurements exist.
Full Zealot PT01 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
| Battery Capacity | 6000mAh |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | BT 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 14.3 x 12.2 x 14.5 cm |
| Drivers | 79mm x 1 |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets |
| Features | Carrying handle, RGB lighting, three EQ presets |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz |
| Lights | RGB light ring |
| Power Input | Type-C, DC 5V |
| Weight | 3.2 lbs (1.47 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | 1 handheld microphone (bundle version) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons