Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Flow. It ranks #49 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $60; the JBL Flip Essential ranks #66 and costs $130, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Flip Essential offers: Aux input for wired sources. Set against that: Less bass than a Flip 5.
The case for the Tribit Stormbox Flow: Up to 30 hours of battery life, roughly double most rivals (~20-24 hrs with XBass on). The catch: Not stereo. Midrange and bass are weirdly recessed about 4db below 700hz.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Flow. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Flip Essential and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Stormbox Flow is rated for 30 hours versus 10 hours for the JBL Flip Essential.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Tribit Stormbox Flow | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $60 |
| Ranked | #66 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #49 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g | 1.4 lbs / 657 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 60W: 2x 30mm drivers + passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 7.9" x 3.6" x 2.1" (200 x 91 x 53 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | 25W |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 47Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 400ms aac, 200ms sbc |
| Stereo | - | No |
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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.
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Tribit Stormbox Flow: $60 Amazon
Pros: Up to 30 hours of battery life - roughly double most rivals (~20-24 hrs with XBass on). IP67 rated with a loose handle for carrying/hanging. Pairs with a second Flow for stereo; USB-C port charges your phone too.
Cons: Not stereo. Midrange and bass are weirdly recessed about 4db below 700hz. You need xbass mode for it to not sound like a clock radio with missing bass. You also can’t turn up the bass enough in the custom EQ modes to get it neutral, so it will sound bass light. Firmware 1.2.3 fixes the distortion issues with xbass mode on, but bass still sounds wobbly and uncontrolled.
Full Tribit Stormbox Flow review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 400ms aac, 200ms sbc |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.6" x 2.1" (200 x 91 x 53 mm) |
| Drivers | 60W: 2x 30mm drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 25W |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 657 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
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