Short answer: the JBL Flip 5 for better sound quality, the Tribit Stormbox 2 for the lower price. The JBL Flip 5 ranks #62 of 136 medium speakers at $89.95. The Tribit Stormbox 2 ranks #80 at $70, $19.95 cheaper.
On the JBL Flip 5 side: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Watch for: Not stereo. Boosted upper bass.
What the Tribit Stormbox 2 gets right: A little better sounding than the Stormbox 1, less of a rolled off treble. The tradeoff: Drivers on the side, so it will have a rolled off treble listening to it face on.
One note: the JBL Flip 5 is discontinued, but it still ranks #62 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the JBL Flip 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tribit Stormbox 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Stormbox 2 is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Flip 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 5 | Tribit Stormbox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.95 Discontinued | $70 |
| Ranked | #62 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #80 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms | 400ms AAC, 400ms SBC |
| Max Volume | 92dB | 99dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 540 g | 1.3 lbs / 593 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange | 2x 48mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.9" (181 x 69 x 74 mm) | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.7" (180 x 69 x 69 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 20W RMS | 34W RMS |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| App | - | Yes |
| Aux Latency | - | 200ms |
| Stereo | - | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Beats Pill 2024 vs Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3
- JBL Flip 4 vs LG Xboom Grab
- JBL Flip 4 vs Klipsch Nashville
- JBL Flip 5 vs JBL Flip 4
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs LG Xboom Grab
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip 5: $89.95 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated.
Cons: Not stereo. Boosted upper bass. Piercing sound when turned up. Peaky lower treble at higher volumes. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 5 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.9" (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 540 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2 More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Techder Audios: #JBL Flip 5 VS #JBL Flip Essential “IMPRESSIVE COMPARISON!?” More from techderaudios →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tribit Stormbox 2: $70 Amazon
Pros: A little better sounding than the Stormbox 1, less of a rolled off treble. Keep Xbass on for best frequency response.
Cons: Drivers on the side, so it will have a rolled off treble listening to it face on.
Full Tribit Stormbox 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Latency | 200ms |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 400ms AAC, 400ms SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.7" (180 x 69 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 34W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Stereo | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 593 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox 2 - sound test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox 2 - wow is this deliberate? 🤔 More from alanrossreviews →
- Storytripper HD: Tribit Micro 2 vs Tribit STormBox 2 vs Tribit StormBox Mini More from storytripperhd →
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Soundcore 2
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Tribit Xsound Surf
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs LG Xboom Grab
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Tribit Xsound Go
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Treblab HD77
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Sony ULT Field 1
- See all 27 comparisons