Short answer: the JBL Pulse 5 if sound quality matters most, the Tribit Stormbox 2 if price matters most. The JBL Pulse 5 ranks #48 of 175 medium speakers, rated 3.7/5, at $219.99. The Tribit Stormbox 2 ranks #105, rated 3.0/5, at $69.99, $150 cheaper.
The JBL Pulse 5 is the better-sounding choice. A cool light show, though it is not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the Tribit Stormbox 2 cannot. Watch for: Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.
The Tribit Stormbox 2 is the longer-running, lighter option. A little better sounding than the original Tribit Stormbox, less of a rolled off treble. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Pulse 5. At 1.3 lbs (593 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Pulse 5 at 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Pulse 5 lacks. Watch for: Drivers on the side, so it will have a rolled off treble listening to it face on.
Buy the JBL Pulse 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tribit Stormbox 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Pulse 5 | Tribit Stormbox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.99 | $69.99 |
| Ranked | #48 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Stereo | No | No (front/rear drivers) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) | 1.3 lbs (593 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.7” (180 x 69 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 2x 48mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 34W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 200ms |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 400ms AAC, 400ms SBC |
| Maximum SPL | - | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
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- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Pulse 5
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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 Pulse 5: $219.99 Amazon $219.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Pulse 6, ranked lower, estimated 3.7/5, released 2026. It adds USB audio input, AAC and LC3. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68. See every JBL Pulse generation.
Pros: JBL Pulse 5 uses 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter. Its 1500 g, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A cool light show, though it is not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its ~58Hz specification. Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.
Full JBL Pulse 5 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Techder Audios: JBL PULSE 5 VS JBL CHARGE 5 "LIGHTS VS BASS?!" More from techderaudios →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bass Check 💣 Treblab HD-360, Ultimate Ears EpicBoom, Marshall Middleton & JBL Pulse 5. Boom or Bust? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tribit Stormbox 2: $69.99 Amazon $69.99 eBay
Older model: the Tribit Stormbox (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5). See every Tribit Stormbox and Stormbox 2 generation.
Pros: A little better sounding than the original Tribit Stormbox, 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 →
| Released | May 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 34W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 200ms |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (593 g) |
- 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 →
- Sole X Hunter: Zealot S51 Pro 40W vs Tribit StormBox 2 34W - Maximum OverDrive!
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