Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the JBL Charge 3 is the better pick: it ranks #91 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.2/5), against #148 (rated 2.4/5) for the Tribit Stormbox Mini. If you want one new, the JBL Charge 6 replaces the JBL Charge 3 and is rated 4.2/5 at $119.95.
The JBL Charge 3 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. Its bass reaches about 63Hz before falling 10dB, against 85Hz for the Tribit Stormbox Mini. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Tribit Stormbox Mini. The catch: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
Why pick the Tribit Stormbox Mini: IPX7 waterproof, excellent battery life (12 hours), RGB LED lighting, app support with AAC codec, true wireless stereo (TWS) capability, USB-C charging. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: Lacking quite a bit of bass.
Buy the JBL Charge 3 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Charge 6, which replaces the JBL Charge 3.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 3 | Tribit Stormbox Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $23 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #91 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #148 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | ~85Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) | 1.6 lbs (708 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.4 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x 48mm 6W full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) | 3.6” x 3.6” x 4.7” (91 x 91 x 119 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 12W |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 3: $80 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025.
Older model: the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. IPX7 rated; built-in noise/echo-cancelling speakerphone. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 3 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: jbl Charge 4 unboxing first impressions - vs Charge 3 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 and Charge 3 - best JBL charge 5 review 2021?
- 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
- YouTube: Sony SRS XB31 vs JBL Charge 3: Sound Battle
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tribit Stormbox Mini: $23 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Tribit Stormbox Mini+, ranked higher, rated 2.5/5, released Jul 2025. It adds app control and adjustable EQ. See every Tribit Stormbox Mini generation.
Pros: IPX7 waterproof, excellent battery life (12 hours), RGB LED lighting, app support with AAC codec, true wireless stereo (TWS) capability, USB-C charging. Measured bass extension of ~85Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Lacking quite a bit of bass. Sounds hollow and thuddy. Just not great overall. Discontinued; Tribit has retired it, superseded by the Tribit Stormbox Mini+.
Full Tribit Stormbox Mini review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 12W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~85Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.6” x 3.6” x 4.7” (91 x 91 x 119 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm 6W full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs (708 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Dominik Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Mini - 30$ hit or miss? vs Tribit Micro 2 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Mini - Bluetooth Speaker Review 🥴Did Tribit Miss the Mark 🎯 On This One?🤔 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Storytripper HD: Tribit Micro 2 vs Tribit STormBox 2 vs Tribit StormBox Mini More from storytripperhd →
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