Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Micro. It ranks #5 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $40; the JBL Clip 4 ranks #22 and costs $59.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Tribit Stormbox Micro: Quite neutral. Slight hollowness in the mids. Built in strap is super useful for attaching it to things. The catch: Gets murky and slightly sharp near max volume; boosted bass distorts when pushed loud.
What the JBL Clip 4 gets right: Very light (0.4 lb) with a sturdy spring clip that attaches to bags/belts. The tradeoff: Quite a lack of bass. Not very loud.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Micro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Clip 4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Micro | JBL Clip 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $40 | $59.95 |
| Ranked | #5 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #22 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | 80Hz |
| 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 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Max Volume | 93dB | 79dB |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 295 g | 0.5 lbs / 239 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Output Power | 13W | 5W |
| Drivers | 48mm NdFeB | 1x 40mm (1.57") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (99.1 x 99.1 x 35.6 mm) | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 135 x 46 mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
| Frequency Response | - | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs JBL Clip 5
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- JBL Clip 4 vs JBL Go 3
The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Stormbox Micro: $40 Amazon
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 ultimate review 🤭 vs Micro 1 - small and mighty!
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- NJ Studio Channel: Tribit stormbox micro vs 1More s1001bt Bass Test!!🔥
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox Micro Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Minirig Mini
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Minirig Mini 2
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Teufel Boomster Go
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- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
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- See all 23 comparisons
JBL Clip 4: $59.95 Amazon
Pros: Very light (0.4 lb) with a sturdy spring clip that attaches to bags/belts. Real-world battery life often beats the 10-hour rating.
Cons: Quite a lack of bass. Not very loud.
Full JBL Clip 4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 135 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 40mm (1.57") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 79dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 239 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Danny Pops: MICRO SPEAKERS - my take on JBL Clip 4 VS Wonderboom 2 VS Bose Micro
- Gi Rides: Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs JBL Clip 4 - sound battle
- Storytripper HD: JBL Clip 4 vs B&O A1 2nd vs Klipsch Austin
- CEONTHEMAKING: BATTLE Of The Compact Speakers Sony SRS-XB100 VS JBL Clip 4!
- Sis & Bro: Muzen Mini Wild Portable vs JBL Clip 4 - Bluetooth Speaker Review
- Reddit Search for JBL Clip 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons