Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2 for better sound quality, the Tribit Stormbox Pro for the lower price. The JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #35 of 136 medium speakers at $130. The Tribit Stormbox Pro ranks #40 at $90, $40 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge Essential 2 gets right: Doubles as a power bank. The catch: Not stereo.
The case for the Tribit Stormbox Pro: 24 hour battery life (60% volume, XBass off); doubles as a power bank. The tradeoff: Bottom woofer was fixed in a later firmware, upgrade for best sound.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tribit Stormbox Pro if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Tribit Stormbox Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $90 |
| Ranked | #35 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #40 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | - |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 930 g | 2.2 lbs / 980 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 3.8" x 3.8" x 7.1" (96 x 96 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 76mm subwoofer, 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Output Power | 40W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | aptX |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge Essential 2: $130
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Close to Charge 5 performance at a lower price.
Cons: Not stereo. Slightly less bass than a Charge 5.
Full JBL Charge Essential 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| 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 | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 930 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
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- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Charge 5
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Flip 7
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
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Tribit Stormbox Pro: $90 Amazon
Pros: 24 hour battery life (60% volume, XBass off); doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Multi-point Bluetooth 5.3 pairing.
Cons: Bottom woofer was fixed in a later firmware, upgrade for best sound. Peaky mids, highs rolled off. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Tribit Stormbox Pro review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.8" x 3.8" x 7.1" (96 x 96 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 76mm subwoofer, 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 980 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Glow: best budget 360 degree speaker or get the Bose Revolve+? 1 hour of fun!
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- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Pro - two versions compared - was it broken? 🤔
- DIGI-EARS: Xdobo X8 Max vs. JBL Charge 5 vs. Anker Soundcore Motion+ vs. Tribit Stormbox Pro Sound Test Battle
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox Pro Review
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- Tribit Stormbox Pro vs Soundcore Motion 100
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