Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential for better sound quality, the Tribit Stormbox 2 for the lower price. The JBL Flip Essential ranks #66 of 136 medium speakers at $130. The Tribit Stormbox 2 ranks #80 at $70, $60 cheaper.
On the JBL Flip Essential side: Aux input for wired sources. Watch for: Less bass than a Flip 5.
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.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential 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 10 hours for the JBL Flip Essential.

Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Tribit Stormbox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $70 |
| Ranked | #66 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #80 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g | 1.3 lbs / 593 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 2x 48mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.7" (180 x 69 x 69 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | 34W RMS |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Aux Latency | - | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 400ms AAC, 400ms SBC |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| Stereo | - | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip Essential: $130
Pros: Aux input for wired sources. IPX7 rated. Genuinely portable at under a pound; a cheaper, more basic alternative to the Flip 5.
Cons: Less bass than a Flip 5.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Flip Essential vs Klipsch Nashville
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- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 5
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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 →
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- Storytripper HD: Tribit Micro 2 vs Tribit STormBox 2 vs Tribit StormBox Mini More from storytripperhd →
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox 2 Review
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