Short answer: the Zealot ZE21 for better sound quality, the Zealot S95 for the lower price. The Zealot ZE21 ranks #15 of 73 boombox speakers at $187.15. The Zealot S95 ranks #24 at $157.41, $29.74 cheaper.
On the Zealot ZE21 side: Great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class, though the Zealot ZE41 now beats it out. Set against that: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.
What the Zealot S95 gets right: A good value for the boombox class. The catch: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.
Buy the Zealot ZE21 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Zealot S95 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Zealot ZE21 is rated for 40 hours versus 12 hours for the Zealot S95.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot ZE21 | Zealot S95 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $187.15 | $157.41 |
| Ranked | #15 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 20.4 lbs / 9.27 kg | 11.3 lbs / 5.11 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Output Power | 250W | 120W |
| Dimensions | 16.7" x 10.3" x 14.3" (424 x 262 x 363 mm) | 14.1" x 9.6" x 6.6" (358 x 243 x 167 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 50mm woofers + passive radiators | 130W subwoofer + dual drivers |
| Max Volume | 116dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Earfun Uboom X vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot S95
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Zealot ZE21
The Two Speakers In Full
Zealot ZE21: $187.15 Aliexpress Amazon
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot Ze21!!!
- Jagist reviews: Zealot Ze21 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2!!!
- Techder Audios: JBL Boombox 4 VS Zealot ZE21 BATTLE OF THE BOOMBOXES!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Boombox 3 Tailgater Special @20ft. The Budget Beast Against the OG Boombox
- 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 19 comparisons
Zealot S95: $157.41 Amazon Aliexpress
Pros: A good value for the boombox class. Appears to be the same internals as the ZE01. Bigger case and goes deeper than the ZE01
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 S95 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1" x 9.6" x 6.6" (358 x 243 x 167 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + dual drivers |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 120W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 11.3 lbs / 5.11 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S95!!!
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- Jagist reviews: Zealot S95 Vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus!!!
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs Zealot S95!!!
- Techder Audios: W-king X20 VS Zealot S95 DEEP BASS VS DEEPER & LOUDER BASS?!
- Reddit Search for Zealot S95 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons