Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the JBL Flip 5 is the better pick: it ranks #81 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.3/5), against #148 (rated 2.4/5) for the Tribit Stormbox Mini. If you want one new, the JBL Flip 7 replaces the JBL Flip 5 and is rated 4.2/5 at $89.95.
The JBL Flip 5 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Its bass reaches about 59Hz before falling 10dB, against 85Hz for the Tribit Stormbox Mini. At 1.2 lbs (540 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Tribit Stormbox Mini at 1.6 lbs (708 g). It has an adjustable EQ, which the Tribit Stormbox Mini lacks. Watch for: Boosted upper bass.
The case for the Tribit Stormbox Mini: IPX7 waterproof, excellent battery life (12 hours), RGB LED lighting, app support with AAC codec, true wireless stereo (TWS) capability, USB-C charging. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip 5 lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Flip 5 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Flip 5. The catch: Lacking quite a bit of bass.
Buy the JBL Flip 5 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Flip 7, which replaces the JBL Flip 5.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 5 | Tribit Stormbox Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.97 Discontinued | $23 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #81 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #148 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | ~85Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (540 g) | 1.6 lbs (708 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.4 |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange | 2x 48mm 6W full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) | 3.6” x 3.6” x 4.7” (91 x 91 x 119 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 12W |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| App | Yes | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | - |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Flip 5 compares with other leading options:
- EarFun Uboom L vs JBL Flip 5
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Flip 5
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Flip 5
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Flip 5
- Minirig 4 vs JBL Flip 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 Flip 5: $64.97 Discontinued Amazon $64.97 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025.
Older model: the JBL Flip 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5). See every JBL Flip generation.
Pros: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| Released | Jul 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: UE Wonderboom 2 review and sound test - vs Flip 5 - Flip 4 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Pro - two versions compared - was it broken? 🤔
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- Techder Audios: #JBL Flip 5 VS #JBL Flip Essential "IMPRESSIVE COMPARISON!?" More from techderaudios →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Flip 7 Review - Is It Worth Upgrading Over The JBL Flip 6 Or Flip 5? More from GYMCADDY →
- 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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