JBL Charge 5 vs Tribit Stormbox

Last updated: October 12, 2026

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 ranks #119 (rated 2.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Tribit Stormbox’s replacement, the Tribit Stormbox 2, is rated 3.0/5 at $69.99.

JBL Charge 5 vs Tribit Stormbox

The JBL Charge 5 is the better-sounding option. Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Tribit Stormbox lacks. It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the Tribit Stormbox cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Tribit Stormbox lacks. The tradeoff: Shouty upper mids.

The Tribit Stormbox is the lighter pick. IPX7 water resistant, dual pairing for stereo setup, excellent battery life (20 hours), instant on/off buttons, 97dB max volume. At 1.2 lbs (535 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge 5 at 2.1 lbs (960 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. The catch: Muffled sounding, treble dips from 5kHz-12kHz.

Buy the JBL Charge 5. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Tribit Stormbox is no longer sold new.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check JBL Charge 5 price at Woot ($114.95) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Charge 5 Tribit Stormbox
Price$114.95$68 Discontinued
Ranked#30 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#119 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz52Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (3 band)No
Bluetooth Latency125ms166ms
Maximum SPL99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)No
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)-
StereoNoNo (360° mono; true stereo requires two paired StormBox units)
OmnidirectionalNoYes
TWSYesYes
Weight2.1 lbs (960 g)1.2 lbs (535 g)
Aux InputNoYes
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBCSBC
Bluetooth Version5.15.0
Dimensions8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)7.1” x 2.7” x 2.7” (180 x 68 x 68 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter2x 45mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)-
IP RatingIP67IPX7
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Amplifier Power40W20W
Built-in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)Yes
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapNo-
Aux Latency-0ms
Check JBL Charge 5 price at Woot ($114.95) →

More top alternatives to JBL Charge 5:

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

JBL Charge 5 ranking card

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 →

ReleasedMar 2021 (5 years ago)
Amplifier Power40W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBC
Bluetooth Latency125ms
Bluetooth Version5.1
Built-in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter
EQYes (3 band)
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapNo
TWSYes
Weight2.1 lbs (960 g)
Check current price at Woot ($114.95) →Check current price at Amazon ($139.95) →Search eBay for JBL Charge 5 →

Tribit Stormbox: $68 Discontinued eBay

Tribit Stormbox ranking card

Newer model: the Tribit Stormbox 2, ranked higher, rated 3/5, released May 2024. It adds app control, adjustable EQ and AAC. Battery life goes from 20 to 24 hours. See every Tribit Stormbox and Stormbox 2 generation.

Pros: IPX7 water resistant, dual pairing for stereo setup, excellent battery life (20 hours), instant on/off buttons, 97dB max volume. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Muffled sounding, treble dips from 5kHz-12kHz. Listening from the front is the worst frequency response, lay it down facing up with xbass off for the smoothest response. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued; Tribit has retired it, superseded by the Tribit Stormbox 2.

Full Tribit Stormbox review and specifications →

Released2018 (8 years ago)
Amplifier Power20W
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency0ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)52Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency166ms
Bluetooth Version5.0
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions7.1” x 2.7” x 2.7” (180 x 68 x 68 mm)
Drivers2x 45mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators
EQNo
IP RatingIPX7
Maximum SPL97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalYes
Party ModeNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo (360° mono; true stereo requires two paired StormBox units)
TWSYes
Weight1.2 lbs (535 g)
Search eBay for Tribit Stormbox →