Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Flow. It ranks #49 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $60; the JBL Charge 2 ranks #69 and costs $149, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the JBL Charge 2 side: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. Watch for: Bass compression at higher volumes.
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 JBL Charge 2 is discontinued, but it still ranks #69 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 JBL Charge 2 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 12 hours for the JBL Charge 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 2 | Tribit Stormbox Flow | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 Discontinued | $60 |
| Ranked | #69 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #49 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange | 60W: 2x 30mm drivers + passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) | 7.9" x 3.6" x 2.1" (200 x 91 x 53 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 15W RMS | 25W |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| App | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg | 1.4 lbs / 657 g |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 47Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 400ms aac, 200ms sbc |
| Stereo | - | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 2: $149 Discontinued
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. Social Mode pairs up to 3 phones; works as a speakerphone.
Cons: Bass compression at higher volumes. Warm sound. slightly rolled off treble. Not as loud as other speakers. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 15W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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