Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential, if you are buying new. The Tribit Maxsound Plus ranks higher than it (#22 vs #82 of 157 medium speakers, 4.1/5 vs 3.2/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Charge Essential is still sold new at $73.99.
The Tribit Maxsound Plus is the better-sounding, lighter option. Use XBass mode for flattest frequency response and balanced audio reproduction. At 1.3 lbs (595 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge Essential at 1.7 lbs (770 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge Essential. Watch for: Slightly less deep bass than modern class leaders.
Why pick the JBL Charge Essential: Doubles as a power bank. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential, since the Tribit Maxsound Plus is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Maxsound Plus | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 Discontinued | $73.99 |
| Ranked | #22 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #82 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (595 g) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 44mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Amplifier Power | 24W | 20W RMS |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Dimensions | 2.6” x 7.8” x 2.7” (65 x 198 x 68 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Strap | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Tribit Maxsound Plus compares with other leading options:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Tribit Maxsound Plus
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Tribit Maxsound Plus
- JBL Charge 6 vs Tribit Maxsound Plus
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Maxsound Plus: $79.99 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Tribit Xsound Plus 2, ranked lower, rated 3.9/5.
Pros: Use XBass mode for flattest frequency response and balanced audio reproduction. 24W output with dual 44mm drivers and dual passive radiators. Up to 20 hours battery life and IPX7 waterproof casing. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Slightly less deep bass than modern class leaders. No true wireless stereo pairing between two units (introduced on the V2). Discontinued; superseded by Maxsound Plus V2 and XSound Plus 2.
Full Tribit Maxsound Plus review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 24W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.6” x 7.8” x 2.7” (65 x 198 x 68 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 44mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (595 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: All Tribit Speakers Compared - Maxsound Plus, Stormbox, Xsound Go, Maxboom More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow has deeper bass than the Bose Flex but………..
- Alan Ross Reviews: Anker Soundcore 3 vs Tribit Maxsound Plus - Best £50 speaker
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Maxsound Plus v1 vs V2 - upgraded Maxsound Plus tested! 🏅
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Maxsound Plus vs Tribit Thunderbox Plus
- Tribit Maxsound Plus vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- Tribit Maxsound Plus vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Tribit Maxsound Plus vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- Tribit Maxsound Plus vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- Tribit Maxsound Plus vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- Tribit Maxsound Plus vs JBL Charge 5
- Tribit Maxsound Plus vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- See all 77 comparisons
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5.
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential.
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound.
Full JBL Charge Essential review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Flip Essential
- JBL Charge Essential vs Teufel Rockster Go 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus
- JBL Charge Essential vs Klipsch Nashville
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam
- See all 121 comparisons