These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Tribit Stormbox Lava ranks #3 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $139.99; the JBL Charge 5 ranks #30 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $114.95.
The Tribit Stormbox Lava is the louder, deeper-bass pick. A loud, waterproof large speaker with strong bass, a long battery and an aux input, for far less than its rivals. Its bass reaches about 44Hz before falling 10dB, against 53Hz for the JBL Charge 5. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 108dB at full volume, against 99dB for the JBL Charge 5. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. The tradeoff: XBass can make the low end muddy and obscure vocals, while the deepest notes lose authority and clarity falls at maximum volume.
The JBL Charge 5 is the lighter choice. A rugged, fully waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound and long battery life that also charges your phone. At 2.1 lbs (960 g) it weighs much less than the Tribit Stormbox Lava at 5.2 lbs (2.37 kg). It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the Tribit Stormbox Lava cannot. The catch: Shouty upper mids.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Lava at $139.99 if you want a large speaker. Buy the JBL Charge 5 at $114.95 if you want a medium speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Lava | JBL Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.99 | $114.95 |
| Ranked | #3 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Latency | 20ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 128ms AAC, 144ms SBC | 125ms |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes (dual microphones) |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 5.2 lbs (2.37 kg) | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 12.2” x 5.8” x 6” (310 x 147 x 152 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 30mm tweeters | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 80W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | No |
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