Short answer: the JBL Charge 3 for better sound quality, the Tribit Stormbox 2 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 3 ranks #67 of 136 medium speakers at $80. The Tribit Stormbox 2 ranks #80 at $70, $10 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Charge 3: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. The catch: Less clarity than the Flip 4.
On the Tribit Stormbox 2 side: A little better sounding than the Stormbox 1, less of a rolled off treble. Watch for: Drivers on the side, so it will have a rolled off treble listening to it face on.
One note: the JBL Charge 3 is discontinued, but it still ranks #67 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the JBL Charge 3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tribit Stormbox 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 3 | Tribit Stormbox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $70 |
| Ranked | #67 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #80 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 100dB | 99dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | - |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g | 1.3 lbs / 593 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x 48mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.5" (213 x 88 x 88 mm) | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.7" (180 x 69 x 69 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 20W RMS | 34W RMS |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Aux Latency | - | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 400ms AAC, 400ms SBC |
| Stereo | - | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | - | Yes |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Charge Essential vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom
- JBL Charge Essential vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
- JBL Charge Essential vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- JBL Flip 4 vs JBL Charge 3
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 3: $80 Discontinued
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. IPX7 rated; built-in noise/echo-cancelling speakerphone.
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 3 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.5" (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 and Charge 3 - best JBL charge 5 review 2021? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge 4 and JBL Charge 3 - small one or a large one? 🤷♂️
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- EnforcerMan: JBL CHARGE 3 VS TREBLAB HD77 - FULL REVIEW
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tribit Stormbox 2: $70 Amazon
Pros: A little better sounding than the Stormbox 1, less of a rolled off treble. Keep Xbass on for best frequency response.
Cons: Drivers on the side, so it will have a rolled off treble listening to it face on.
Full Tribit Stormbox 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Latency | 200ms |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 400ms AAC, 400ms SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.7" (180 x 69 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 34W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Stereo | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 593 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox 2 - sound test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox 2 - wow is this deliberate? 🤔 More from alanrossreviews →
- Storytripper HD: Tribit Micro 2 vs Tribit STormBox 2 vs Tribit StormBox Mini More from storytripperhd →
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox 2 Review
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- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Treblab HD77
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Sony ULT Field 1
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