Short answer: the Zealot ZE01. It ranks #36 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5) at $159.90 and is still sold new; the JBL Boombox ranks #67 (rated 2.9/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Boombox’s replacement, the JBL Boombox 4, is rated 4.0/5 at $549.95.
The Zealot ZE01 is the better-sounding, longer-running option. Appears to be the same internals as the Zealot S95. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 24 for the JBL Boombox. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Boombox lacks. The catch: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.
What the JBL Boombox does well: Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx5 protection and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. It links with other speakers (Connect+ up to 100 speakers), which the Zealot ZE01 cannot. The catch: Treble is not very smooth.
Buy the Zealot ZE01. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Boombox is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot ZE01 | JBL Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.90 | $399 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #36 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| Dimensions | 13.1” x 11.2” x 8.1” (332 x 284 x 207 mm) | 10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
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- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Zealot ZE01
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Zealot ZE01
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 ZE01: $159.90 Amazon $159.90 AliExpress $126.02 eBay
Pros: Appears to be the same internals as the Zealot S95. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).
Cons: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers.
Full Zealot ZE01 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.1” x 11.2” x 8.1” (332 x 284 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Techder Audios: ZEALOT S89 VS ZEALOT ZE01 EXTREME POWERFULL VS COMPACTER BASS PERFORMANCE! More from techderaudios →
- Techder Audios: Zealot ZE01 VS Tronsmart Bang Max SOLID VOCALS VS DEEPER BASS
- Techder Audios: Zealot ZE01 VS Xdobo BMTL Wow Max DEEPER BASS VS LOUDER BASS?!
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot ZE01 Vs Zealot S167 which one will win this sound test 🔊🔥 More from YARNZO Tech →
- J_Strat Battles: ZEALOT ZE01 VS ZEALOT PT11 😲😲
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Boombox: $399 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025. See every JBL Boombox generation.
Pros: At 5.2 kg, JBL Boombox combines 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators with Bluetooth and aux. Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx5 protection and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. JBL Connect+ links up to 100 compatible speakers.
Cons: There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Treble is not very smooth. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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