Zealot S98 vs JBL Xtreme 4

Last updated: October 10, 2026

These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The Zealot S98 ranks #25 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality; the JBL Xtreme 4 ranks #44 of 103 large speakers by sound quality at $309.95.

Zealot S98 vs JBL Xtreme 4

The case for the Zealot S98: 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 keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Xtreme 4 lacks. The catch: 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 Xtreme 4 is the longer-running, lighter choice. A rugged 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) portable with IP67 protection, a replaceable battery, USB-C power-bank output, Auracast, stereo pairing and a useful 5-band app EQ. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 5 for the Zealot S98. At 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) it weighs much less than the Zealot S98 at 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg). Watch for: It cannot produce the deep rumble of a larger speaker, and bass compression increases near maximum volume.

Buy the Zealot S98 if you want a boombox speaker. Buy the JBL Xtreme 4 if you want a large speaker instead.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check Zealot S98 price at Amazon →Check JBL Xtreme 4 price at Amazon ($309.95) →

Specifications Side By Side

Zealot S98 JBL Xtreme 4
Price-$309.95
Ranked#25 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#44 of 103 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Amplifier Power160W100W
Aux InputYesNo
Battery Capacity36000mAh-
Battery Life~5 hours (TF card playback, manufacturer)24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth Version5.35.3
Cabinet ColorBlack-
Dimensions51.2 x 24.1 x 28.9 cm11.7” x 5.9” x 5.6” (297 x 149 x 141 mm)
Drivers134mm x2 + 38mm x22x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators
EQYes (3 modes: bass boost, vocal, balanced)Yes (5 band)
FeaturesBT, USB, TF card and line-in playback; RGB lights; TWS stereo pairing; power bank output-
Frequency Response20Hz - 20kHz44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIPX6IP67
LightsRGB-
MicroSD PlaybackYes (TF card)-
Power BankYes (5V/2A output)Yes (USB-C)
Power InputUSB Type-C (DC 5V/2A)USB-C
TWSYesYes
USB PlaybackYes-
Weight16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) (net), 19.4 lbs (8.79 kg) gross4.6 lbs (2.1 kg)
Wireless MicrophonesYes (on the ‘S98 with Microphone’ version only)-
App-Yes
Bluetooth Latency-220ms
Maximum SPL-106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Party Mode-Yes (Auracast)
Removable Battery-Yes
Bluetooth Codecs-SBC
Built-in Microphone-Yes
Stereo-Yes
Omnidirectional-No
Digital Aux Input-No
Strap-Yes (detachable shoulder strap)
Check Zealot S98 price at Amazon →Check JBL Xtreme 4 price at Amazon ($309.95) →

Watch Them Compared

Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.

How Zealot S98 compares with other leading options:

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

Zealot S98 ranking card

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 →

ReleasedJul 2024 (2 years ago)
Amplifier Power160W
Aux InputYes
Battery Capacity36000mAh
Battery Life~5 hours (TF card playback, manufacturer)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth Version5.3
Cabinet ColorBlack
Dimensions51.2 x 24.1 x 28.9 cm
Drivers134mm x2 + 38mm x2
EQYes (3 modes: bass boost, vocal, balanced)
FeaturesBT, USB, TF card and line-in playback; RGB lights; TWS stereo pairing; power bank output
Frequency Response20Hz - 20kHz
IP RatingIPX6
LightsRGB
MicroSD PlaybackYes (TF card)
Power BankYes (5V/2A output)
Power InputUSB Type-C (DC 5V/2A)
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) (net), 19.4 lbs (8.79 kg) gross
Wireless MicrophonesYes (on the ‘S98 with Microphone’ version only)
Check current price at Amazon →Search eBay for Zealot S98 →

JBL Xtreme 4: $309.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Xtreme 4 ranking card

Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5, released Apr 2026. It adds USB audio input, AAC and LC3, but drops the built-in mic. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.

Older models: the JBL Xtreme 3 (ranked higher, rated 4.3/5), the JBL Xtreme 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5) and the JBL Xtreme (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Xtreme generation.

Pros: A rugged 2.1kg portable with IP67 protection, a replaceable battery, USB-C power-bank output, Auracast, stereo pairing and a useful 5-band app EQ. Independent reviews find the midrange detailed and the sound clear, punchy and refined for outdoor use; it also reaches a strong 106dB maximum level and has excellent real-world battery life.

Cons: It cannot produce the deep rumble of a larger speaker, and bass compression increases near maximum volume. The front-facing layout has only modest off-axis consistency, Bluetooth latency is high for video, and the default balance benefits from EQ adjustment. There is no aux input, so wired sources are not supported. Out of the box it leans bass-boosted, with a dip between the upper bass and midrange that EQ cannot fix, and it pushes the upper mids and treble at high volume. It is also expensive.

Full JBL Xtreme 4 review and specifications →

ReleasedMar 2024 (2 years ago)
Amplifier Power100W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency220ms
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions11.7” x 5.9” x 5.6” (297 x 149 x 141 mm)
Drivers2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators
EQYes (5 band)
Frequency Response44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C)
Power InputUSB-C
Removable BatteryYes
StereoYes
StrapYes (detachable shoulder strap)
TWSYes
Weight4.6 lbs (2.1 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($309.95) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for JBL Xtreme 4 →