Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Flow. It ranks #49 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $60; the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ranks #55 and costs $184, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Tribit Stormbox Flow offers: 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.
On the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 side: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8. Set against that: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Flow. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 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 Bose Soundlink Mini 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the Tribit Stormbox Flow at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Flow | Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 | $184.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #49 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #55 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bose Connect) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | 400ms aac, 200ms sbc | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 657 g | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.6" x 2.1" (200 x 91 x 53 mm) | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 25W | - |
| Drivers | 60W: 2x 30mm drivers + passive radiators | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | None |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | Proprietary connector |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Charge 4 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony XB33
- JBL Charge 4 vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
The Two Speakers In Full
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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow has deeper bass than the Bose Flex but………..
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow firmware update 1.2.3 game changing moment in portable bluetooth history!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow firmware update 1.2.5 - stuff gets fixed ✔
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs XSound Mega - Sound Comparison, Stock EQ, Both Mono Sound 😶🌫️ A Family Feud
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Soundcore Motion 300 (LDAC) 😵 Budget Bose Soundlink Flex “Inspired” Speakers
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox Flow - after firmware update
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox Flow - sound demo
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox Flow Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs JBL Charge 4
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Soundcore Glow
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs JBL Pulse 5
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Sony XB33
- See all 17 comparisons
Bose Soundlink Mini 2: $184.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech!
- Patricio Benadon: Bose SoundLink Flex vs. Mini 2 SE. Music audio quality sound test. Listen 4 different genres!
- techkiste.net: Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs the world ;) (Denon Envaya DSB250, Vifa Reykjavik, iRoar Go)
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Mini 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs DBSONO X-Blast F37