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 #119 (rated 2.8/5) for the Tribit Stormbox. 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 pick. Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. 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: Boosted upper bass.
The Tribit Stormbox is the louder, deeper-bass option. IPX7 water resistant, dual pairing for stereo setup, excellent battery life (20 hours), instant on/off buttons, 97dB max volume. Its bass reaches about 52Hz before falling 10dB, against 59Hz for the JBL Flip 5. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 97dB at full volume, against 92dB for the JBL Flip 5. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Flip 5. The catch: Muffled sounding, treble dips from 5kHz-12kHz.
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.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 5 | Tribit Stormbox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.97 Discontinued | $68 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #81 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #119 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms | 166ms |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (540 g) | 1.2 lbs (535 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange | 2x 45mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| 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 68 x 68 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 20W |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| 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 | Yes |
| App | Yes | No |
| Stereo | No | No (360° mono; true stereo requires two paired StormBox units) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
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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 →
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- 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: $68 Discontinued eBay
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 →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 166ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.7” (180 x 68 x 68 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No (360° mono; true stereo requires two paired StormBox units) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (535 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Earfun Uboom vs Tribit Stormbox - 360 degree bluetooth speaker comparison More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Pro Review - vs Tribit Stormbox - bass monster?? 🤔
- Alan Ross Reviews: Mifa Wild camping Lantern portable bluetooth speaker reviewed by an old geezer!
- Alan Ross Reviews: All Tribit Speakers Compared - Maxsound Plus, Stormbox, Xsound Go, Maxboom
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Flare 2 - mega 360 degree speaker shootout!
- DankPods: The bluetooth speaker shootout.
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