Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Flow. It ranks #49 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $60; the Bose Soundlink Mini ranks #56 and costs $128.67, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Bose Soundlink Mini side: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Watch for: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
What the Tribit Stormbox Flow gets right: Up to 30 hours of battery life, roughly double most rivals (~20-24 hrs with XBass on). The tradeoff: Not stereo. Midrange and bass are weirdly recessed about 4db below 700hz.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Mini is discontinued, but it still ranks #56 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 Flow. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Mini and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Stormbox Flow is rated for 30 hours versus 10 hours for the Bose Soundlink Mini.
If water resistance matters to you, the Tribit Stormbox Flow at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini | Tribit Stormbox Flow | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $128.67 Discontinued | $60 |
| Ranked | #56 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #49 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 1.4 lbs / 657 g |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) | 7.9" x 3.6" x 2.1" (200 x 91 x 53 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | - |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Yes |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 60W: 2x 30mm drivers + passive radiators |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 400ms aac, 200ms sbc |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 25W |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Mini: $128.67 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Comes with a charging cradle.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| 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 | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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Tribit Stormbox Flow: $60 Amazon
Pros: Up to 30 hours of battery life - roughly double most rivals (~20-24 hrs with XBass on). IP67 rated with a loose handle for carrying/hanging. Pairs with a second Flow for stereo; USB-C port charges your phone too.
Cons: Not stereo. Midrange and bass are weirdly recessed about 4db below 700hz. You need xbass mode for it to not sound like a clock radio with missing bass. You also can’t turn up the bass enough in the custom EQ modes to get it neutral, so it will sound bass light. Firmware 1.2.3 fixes the distortion issues with xbass mode on, but bass still sounds wobbly and uncontrolled.
Full Tribit Stormbox Flow review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 400ms aac, 200ms sbc |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.6" x 2.1" (200 x 91 x 53 mm) |
| Drivers | 60W: 2x 30mm drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 25W |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 657 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
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