Short answer: the Zealot ZE21 for better sound quality, the Zealot S78 for the lower price. The Zealot ZE21 ranks #15 of 73 boombox speakers at $247.41. The Zealot S78 ranks #73 at $159.68, $87.73 cheaper.
What the Zealot ZE21 offers: Great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class, though the Zealot ZE41 now beats it out. Watch for: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers. Bass EQ is bloated and muddy sounding
What the Zealot S78 offers: 120W RMS output with 150W peak power, exceptional 40-hour battery life, power bank function, IP67 waterproof, EQ with multiple modes, dual woofers with tweeters and passive radiators, MicroSD and USB playback, AUX input, TWS stereo pairing, USB-C charging Watch for: Gets distorted above 50%. Not much bass. Volume level fluctuates at high volume.
Buy the Zealot ZE21 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Zealot S78 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Zealot S78. It ranks near the bottom of the 73 boombox speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot ZE21 | Zealot S78 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $247.41 | $159.68 |
| Ranked | #15 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #73 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 20.4 lbs / 9.27 kg | 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Output Power | 250W | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Dimensions | 16.7" x 10.3" x 14.3" (424 x 262 x 363 mm) | 16.1" x 6.6" x 7.3" (410 x 167 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 50mm woofers + passive radiators | 2x ~120mm (4.72") woofers + 2x ~42mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Max Volume | 116dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Zealot S89
- Zealot S89 vs Zealot S95
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Zealot S89
- Zealot ZE21 vs Zealot S95
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Zealot ZE21
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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 ZE21: $247.41 Amazon Aliexpress eBay
Pros: Great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class, though the Zealot ZE41 now beats it out.
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. Bass EQ is bloated and muddy sounding
Full Zealot ZE21 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.7" x 10.3" x 14.3" (424 x 262 x 363 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 50mm woofers + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 116dB |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 250W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 20.4 lbs / 9.27 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot Ze21!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Zealot Ze21 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2!!!
- Techder Audios: JBL Boombox 4 VS Zealot ZE21 BATTLE OF THE BOOMBOXES! More from techderaudios →
- 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 →
- Reddit Search for Zealot ZE21 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Zealot ZE21 vs Zealot ZE41
- Zealot ZE21 vs Zealot S89
- Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- See all 44 comparisons
Zealot S78: $159.68 Amazon Aliexpress eBay
Pros: 120W RMS output with 150W peak power, exceptional 40-hour battery life, power bank function, IP67 waterproof, EQ with multiple modes, dual woofers with tweeters and passive radiators, MicroSD and USB playback, AUX input, TWS stereo pairing, USB-C charging
Cons: Gets distorted above 50%. Not much bass. Volume level fluctuates at high volume.
Full Zealot S78 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1" x 6.6" x 7.3" (410 x 167 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x ~120mm (4.72") woofers + 2x ~42mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Zealot S78 Bluetooth Boombox Battle Outdoor Tailgater Special 🚗 Let the Whoopin’ Begin More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: DBSOARS F29 Max vs Zealot S78 🛜 (5B) Budget Bluetooth Boombox Basement Battle 🔊 Bass Modes Enabled
- Reddit Search for Zealot S78 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons