Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Micro. It ranks #5 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $40; the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 ranks #42 and costs $100, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Tribit Stormbox Micro offers: Quite neutral. Slight hollowness in the mids. Built in strap is super useful for attaching it to things. Highly recommend spending the extra $10 for the Micro 2 which goes louder and deeper. To have it aimed directly at you unclip the strap and the speaker will sit upright with a slight lean back. Watch for: Gets murky and slightly sharp near max volume; boosted bass distorts when pushed loud. Down-firing passive radiator needs a flat surface underneath or the bass gets muffled.
What the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 offers: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. Metal grille with a faux-leather back and a small kickstand. 8-10 hour battery life. Watch for: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Micro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Skip the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 47 small speakers.
Water resistance is not close: the Tribit Stormbox Micro is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Micro | Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $40 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Max Volume | 93dB | - |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 295 g | 0.6 lbs / 250 g |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 13W | 8W |
| Drivers | 48mm NdFeB | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (99.1 x 99.1 x 35.6 mm) | 5.5" x 3" x 1" (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
| Frequency Response | - | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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
Tribit Stormbox Micro: $40 Amazon eBay
Pros: Quite neutral. Slight hollowness in the mids. Built in strap is super useful for attaching it to things. Highly recommend spending the extra $10 for the Micro 2 which goes louder and deeper. To have it aimed directly at you unclip the strap and the speaker will sit upright with a slight lean back.
Cons: Gets murky and slightly sharp near max volume; boosted bass distorts when pushed loud. Down-firing passive radiator needs a flat surface underneath or the bass gets muffled.
Full Tribit Stormbox Micro review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (99.1 x 99.1 x 35.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 48mm NdFeB |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 93dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 13W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 295 g |
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Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2: $100 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. Metal grille with a faux-leather back and a small kickstand. 8-10 hour battery life.
Cons: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.5" x 3" x 1" (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 8W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 250 g |
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