Short answer: the Zealot S98. It ranks #25 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5); the JBL Boombox 3 ranks #27 (rated 3.8/5).
What the Zealot S98 does well: Zealot rates the S98 at 160W through four drivers, two 134mm woofers and two 38mm tweeters, in a 51.2 x 24.1 x 28.9cm cabinet. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Boombox 3 lacks. The tradeoff: At 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) net and 51.2cm wide the S98 is a two-hand carry, not a grab-and-go speaker.
The JBL Boombox 3 is the longer-running pick. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 5 for the Zealot S98. The catch: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700Hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Buy the Zealot S98. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox 3.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S98 | JBL Boombox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #25 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 160W | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Capacity | 36000mAh | - |
| Battery Life | ~5 hours (TF card playback, manufacturer) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Cabinet Color | Black | - |
| Dimensions | 51.2 x 24.1 x 28.9 cm | 19” x 10.1” x 7.9” (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 134mm x2 + 38mm x2 | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 modes: bass boost, vocal, balanced) | No |
| Features | BT, USB, TF card and line-in playback; RGB lights; TWS stereo pairing; power bank output | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz | - |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP67 |
| Lights | RGB | - |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes (TF card) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (5V/2A output) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB Type-C (DC 5V/2A) | AC Power cable |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) (net), 19.4 lbs (8.79 kg) gross | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes (on the ‘S98 with Microphone’ version only) | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 43Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| App | - | No |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
- YARNZO Tech: Jbl boombox3 vs zealot s98 full sound comparison 🔊🎧
- flmclau: Zealot s98 160W!!!quick unboxing and sound test,is it better than Jbl boombox 3?
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Zealot S98:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Zealot S98
- Zealot S89 vs Zealot S98
- Zealot S98 vs Zealot S95
- Zealot S98 vs W-King X20
- Zealot S98 vs JBL Boombox 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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 S98 Amazon eBay
Pros: Zealot rates the S98 at 160W through four drivers, two 134mm woofers and two 38mm tweeters, in a 51.2 x 24.1 x 28.9cm cabinet. A 36000mAh battery doubles as a 5V/2A power bank and recharges over USB-C, while IPX6 water resistance, RGB lighting, three EQ modes, TWS stereo pairing and Bluetooth 5.3 with BT/USB/TF/line-in playback cover party and outdoor use. Independent reviewers including Jagist Reviews and YARNZO Tech rate its bass output highly against JBL models. At 7.3kg net with a carry handle it remains transportable. Jagist Reviews and YARNZO Tech’s sound-meter comparisons against the JBL Boombox 3 and JBL Xtreme 4 rate its bass and output highly for the money.
Cons: At 7.3kg net and 51.2cm wide the S98 is a two-hand carry, not a grab-and-go speaker. Zealot publishes no standard battery-life rating, no charging time, no app and no Bluetooth codec list, so real runtime, control features and codec support are unverified; the only runtime figure is a roughly five-hour TF-card playback claim. The 160W rating and the 20Hz bass-extension claim have no independent measurement, so actual bass depth, distortion and maximum output are unknown. Wireless microphone support is not fitted to the standard version.
Full Zealot S98 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Capacity | 36000mAh |
| Battery Life | ~5 hours (TF card playback, manufacturer) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Cabinet Color | Black |
| Dimensions | 51.2 x 24.1 x 28.9 cm |
| Drivers | 134mm x2 + 38mm x2 |
| EQ | Yes (3 modes: bass boost, vocal, balanced) |
| Features | BT, USB, TF card and line-in playback; RGB lights; TWS stereo pairing; power bank output |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Lights | RGB |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes (TF card) |
| Power Bank | Yes (5V/2A output) |
| Power Input | USB Type-C (DC 5V/2A) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) (net), 19.4 lbs (8.79 kg) gross |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes (on the ‘S98 with Microphone’ version only) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Zealot S98 Unboxing And Review!!! 😍😍😍 She Is A Beast!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Zealot S98 Vs W-king X20!!! 🥰🥰🥰
- Jagist reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast Vs Zealot S98!!! 😁😁😁
- Jagist reviews: Zealot S95 Vs Zealot S98!!! 😍😍😍
- Jagist reviews: Zealot S98 Vs Tronsmart Bang Max!!! 😍😍😍
- Jagist reviews: Zealot S98 Bass Test!!! Beastly!!! 😍😍😍
- YARNZO Tech: Jbl boombox3 vs zealot s98 full sound comparison 🔊🎧 More from YARNZO Tech →
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot s89 vs zealot s98 Full sound comparison (with DB sound meter App)
- YARNZO Tech: Jbl xtreme 4 vs zealot s98. both were released 2024 does size really matter here 🤔let’s find out
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot s98 vs Jbl xtreme 4. outdoor sound test 🔊
- YARNZO Tech: Outdoor sound test between zealot s98 and jbl boombox2 👂🎧🔊
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot s98 vs zealot s89 and zealot s95 outdoor sound battle 🔊
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot s98 water test 💦💧
- flmclau: Zealot S98 vs Jbl Partybox100 outdoors flat mode and bass sound test
- flmclau: Zealot s98 160W!!!quick unboxing and sound test,is it better than Jbl boombox 3?
- flmclau: Zealot S98 extreme bass test Speaker grill removed,the beast unleashed 🔥🔥🔥
- Audio y Mas *🔊: ¡Este altavoz gigante suena increíble! Zealot S98💪
- TElcoPApi: Unboxing ZEALOT-S98 Bluetooth Speaker & SoundTest 
- UFO SoYLX: Zealot S98 Vs Zealot S89 Deep Bass speaker 2025 📟
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Boombox 3: $349.95 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025. It adds USB audio input, app control, adjustable EQ and AAC, but drops the aux input. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.
Older models: the JBL Boombox 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5). See every JBL Boombox generation.
Same family: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: IP67 rated. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Doubles as a power bank. PartyBoost links up to 100 compatible JBL speakers. Three-way speaker system with subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700Hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Full JBL Boombox 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19” x 10.1” x 7.9” (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Boombox 3 - outdoor test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 review vs JBL Boombox 2 a subwoofer and a 3 way equals heaven? 💋 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: W King T11 party boombox and Karaoke machine review vs T9, Stormbox Blast and Boombox 3.
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 vs 2x Tribit Stormbox Blast 🤑 Huge difference? More from Dominik Reviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Boombox 3 - outdoor
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Boombox 3 Tailgater Special @20ft. The Budget Beast Against the OG Boombox More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 🔊 Got Bass? Let’s See How They Compare 😲 Battery Powered 🔋
- Picky Audio: SO CLOSE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3 More from pickyaudio →
- Picky Audio: Extended Sound Test (Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3)
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart Bang Max Review, JBL Boombox 3 wannabe 130w
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy BARREL XT vs JBL Boombox 3 🤯Budget Banger vs Reigning Champ 🔋 Battery Powered 🏠 Indoors
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: SONY ULT Field 7 💣vs JBL Boombox 3 🧨 Showdown! 🪇Let’s Shake it Up! 🔋Battery Powered Basement Battle
- AudioTribe: JBL Authentics 500 VS JBL Boombox 3 Sound Test Comparison
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 Compared to Boombox 3 & 3 WiFi – Worth the Upgrade?
- YARNZO Tech: Jbl boombox3 vs zealot s98 full sound comparison 🔊🎧 More from YARNZO Tech →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Distortion Fest vs my favorite speaker today! I wasn’t expecting this!
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - any improvement?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Authentics 500 vs Boombox 3 🙮💨 Bluetooth Speaker Sound Comparison. Plugged In 🔌 Get Your 💵 Out!
- flmclau: Zealot s98 160W!!!quick unboxing and sound test,is it better than Jbl boombox 3?
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - old one sounding better? 🤔
- Alan Ross Reviews: This changed my opinion on JBL speakers!
- GYMCADDY: Bose S1 Pro Vs JBL Boombox 3 & Sony ULT 7 More from GYMCADDY →
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