Short answer: the JBL Charge 5. It ranks #30 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $114.95 and is still sold new; the Tribit Stormbox Mini ranks #148 (rated 2.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Tribit Stormbox Mini’s replacement, the Tribit Stormbox Mini+, is rated 2.5/5 at $31.99.
The JBL Charge 5 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. Its bass reaches about 53Hz 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. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Tribit Stormbox Mini lacks. The catch: Shouty upper mids.
The Tribit Stormbox Mini is the lighter pick. IPX7 waterproof, excellent battery life (12 hours), RGB LED lighting, app support with AAC codec, true wireless stereo (TWS) capability, USB-C charging. At 1.6 lbs (708 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge 5 at 2.1 lbs (960 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 5. The catch: Lacking quite a bit of bass.
Buy the JBL Charge 5. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Tribit Stormbox Mini is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | Tribit Stormbox Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $23 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #30 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #148 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | ~85Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 1.6 lbs (708 g) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 3.6” x 3.6” x 4.7” (91 x 91 x 119 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 48mm 6W full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 12W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Charge 5:
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- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge 5
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge 5
- JBL Charge 5 vs Minirig 4
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 5: $114.95 Amazon $139.95 Woot $114.95 Lowest eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025. It adds USB audio input, but drops the built-in mic. Battery life goes from 20 to 24 hours. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.
Older models: the JBL Charge 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5), the JBL Charge 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
Same family: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi (larger model, ranked higher, rated 4/5).
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. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.
Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Charge 5 - unboxing & first impressions More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 6 or the JBL Charge 5? don’t go home till you watch this! More from alanrossreviews →
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- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge 6 🎶👌Unboxing 📦vs Jbl Charge 5 Short Test Audio i Hz. More from Mateusz Cholewa →
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- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Review - Worth Upgrading Even If You Have The JBL Charge 5 More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 5 Vs Sony XE300 - How Can You Mess Up This Bad?
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- The Tech Files: JBL CHARGE 5 Vs. CHARGE ESSENTIAL 2 #shorts
- Angelicaaudio: Mini JBL Flip Essential 2 vs. JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth Speaker Review
- Audio y Mas *🔊: 😨JBL Charge 5 vs Zealot S85, LA MARCA IMPORTA?
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- 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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