Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Pro. It ranks #40 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $90; the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ranks #55 and costs $184, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 offers: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Set against that: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
The case for the Tribit Stormbox Pro: 24 hour battery life (60% volume, XBass off); doubles as a power bank. The catch: Bottom woofer was fixed in a later firmware, upgrade for best sound.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 is discontinued, but it still ranks #55 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Pro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Stormbox Pro is rated for 24 hours versus 10 hours for the Bose Soundlink Mini 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the Tribit Stormbox Pro at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | Tribit Stormbox Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $184.00 Discontinued | $90 |
| Ranked | #55 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #40 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 2.2 lbs / 980 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange | 76mm subwoofer, 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) | 3.8" x 3.8" x 7.1" (96 x 96 x 180 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | aptX |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | USB-C |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | - |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 40W |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Mini 2: $184.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech! More from alanrossreviews →
- Patricio Benadon: Bose SoundLink Flex vs. Mini 2 SE. Music audio quality sound test. Listen 4 different genres!
- techkiste.net: Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs the world ;) (Denon Envaya DSB250, Vifa Reykjavik, iRoar Go)
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Mini 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- See all 23 comparisons
Tribit Stormbox Pro: $90 Amazon
Pros: 24 hour battery life (60% volume, XBass off); doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Multi-point Bluetooth 5.3 pairing.
Cons: Bottom woofer was fixed in a later firmware, upgrade for best sound. Peaky mids, highs rolled off. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Tribit Stormbox Pro review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.8" x 3.8" x 7.1" (96 x 96 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 76mm subwoofer, 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 980 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Glow: best budget 360 degree speaker or get the Bose Revolve+? 1 hour of fun! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Pro Review - vs Tribit Stormbox - bass monster?? 🤔
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Pro - two versions compared - was it broken? 🤔
- DIGI-EARS: Xdobo X8 Max vs. JBL Charge 5 vs. Anker Soundcore Motion+ vs. Tribit Stormbox Pro Sound Test Battle
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- Tribit Stormbox Pro vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Tribit Stormbox Pro vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- Tribit Stormbox Pro vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- See all 22 comparisons