Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Pro. It ranks #40 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $90; the Bose Soundlink Mini ranks #56 and costs $128.67, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Bose Soundlink Mini 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 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 Pro. 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 Pro is rated for 24 hours versus 10 hours for the Bose Soundlink Mini.
If water resistance matters to you, the Tribit Stormbox Pro 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 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $128.67 Discontinued | $90 |
| Ranked | #56 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 |
| 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) | - |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 76mm subwoofer, 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 40W |
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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 |
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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.
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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