Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 for better sound quality, the Tribit Stormbox Flow for the lower price. The JBL Charge 5 ranks #26 of 135 medium speakers at $134.95. The Tribit Stormbox Flow ranks #49 at $60, $74.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge 5 gets right: It doubles as a power bank via USB-A, is IP67 rated to survive a 1m dunk for 30 minutes, and offers around 20 hours of battery life. Set against that: it isn’t stereo, sound leans warm with shouty upper mids, boosted bass, slightly rolled off treble, and it’s priced higher than it probably should be.
The case for the Tribit Stormbox Flow: Up to 30 hours of battery life (roughly double most rivals), an IP67 rating with a handle for carrying or hanging, stereo pairing with a second Flow, and a USB-C port that doubles as a phone charger. The catch: on its own it’s not stereo, midrange and bass sit recessed about 4dB below 700Hz, XBass mode is needed to avoid a hollow clock-radio sound, the EQ can’t get bass fully neutral, and even with the firmware 1.2.3 fix, bass still sounds wobbly and uncontrolled.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tribit Stormbox Flow if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Stormbox Flow is rated for 30 hours versus 20 hours for the JBL Charge 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | Tribit Stormbox Flow | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $134.95 | $60 |
| Ranked | #26 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #49 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | 400ms aac, 200ms sbc |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g | 1.4 lbs / 657 g |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 7.9" x 3.6" x 2.1" (200 x 91 x 53 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 60W: 2x 30mm drivers + passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Output Power | 40W | 25W |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 5: $134.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. ~20 hour battery life.
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.
Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 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 6 or the JBL Charge 5? don’t go home till you watch this!
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge 6 🎶👌Unboxing 📦vs Jbl Charge 5 Short Test Audio i Hz.
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Review - Worth Upgrading Even If You Have The JBL Charge 5
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 and Charge 3 - best JBL charge 5 review 2021?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Plus and Sony XB33 - ultimate travel speaker 2021 🤗
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex Review! vs JBL Flip 6 and JBL Charge 5. Travel heaven?? 🤞
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Mega vs the world! (JBL Charge 5, Bose Flex, Sony XB33, LG PL7) 👍
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Charge 5 - unboxing & first impressions
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bogasing M4 Review - vs JBL Charge 5 & Motion Plus - a new contender?
- The Tech Files: JBL CHARGE 5 Vs. CHARGE ESSENTIAL 2 #shorts
- Alan Ross Reviews: Huawei sound joy vs JBL Charge 5 and Flip 6 - top mono speaker! 🤓
- New Stuff TV 2: Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Flip 6, JBL Charge 5 & Soundcore Motion 300
- Techder Audios: JBL PULSE 5 VS JBL CHARGE 5 “LIGHTS VS BASS?!”
- Storytripper HD: Klipsch Nashville vs JBL Charge 5
- Flossy Carter: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Charge Essential
- Storytripper HD: KEF MUO vs JBL Charge 5
- KULAS TECH SHOW: JBL Charge 5 vs Tronsmart Mirtune S100 - Sound Comparison💥🔥
- Alan Ross Reviews: UE Megaboom 3 review vs JBL Charge 5 & Motion Boom! how bad can it be??
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XE300 vs JBL Charge 5
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 5 Vs Sony XE300 - How Can You Mess Up This Bad?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Stockwell 2 Review and huge sound test! - vs JBL Charge 5! 💯
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Boom vs Sony XB43 - a step to far? 🤪
- DIGI-EARS: Xdobo X8 Max vs. JBL Charge 5 vs. Anker Soundcore Motion+ vs. Tribit Stormbox Pro Sound Test Battle
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 5 Review
- 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 |
| 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow has deeper bass than the Bose Flex but………..
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow firmware update 1.2.3 game changing moment in portable bluetooth history!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow firmware update 1.2.5 - stuff gets fixed ✔
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs XSound Mega - Sound Comparison, Stock EQ, Both Mono Sound 😶🌫️ A Family Feud
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Soundcore Motion 300 (LDAC) 😵 Budget Bose Soundlink Flex “Inspired” Speakers
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox Flow - after firmware update
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox Flow - sound demo
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox Flow Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons