Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Micro. It ranks #5 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $40; the Ultimate Ears Miniroll ranks #12 and costs $49.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Tribit Stormbox Micro: Quite neutral. The tradeoff: Gets murky and slightly sharp near max volume; boosted bass distorts when pushed loud.
What the Ultimate Ears Miniroll gets right: Good clarity and detail in the mids/highs with a warmer tonal balance than most ultra-portables its size. The catch: Bass not quite as deep as the best rated speakers.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Micro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Ultimate Ears Miniroll and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Micro | Ultimate Ears Miniroll | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $40 | $49.99 |
| Ranked | #5 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #12 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 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 | 83dB |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyUp/Auracast, Miniroll-only) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 295 g | 0.6 lbs / 279 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Output Power | 13W | 3W RMS |
| Drivers | 48mm NdFeB | 45.6mm active with passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (99.1 x 99.1 x 35.6 mm) | 4.8" x 4.1" x 1.9" (122.7 x 105 x 48.1 mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Charging Time | - | 2.3 hours |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Anker Soundcore Mini vs JBL Clip 4
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- JBL Go 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
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.
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- See all 18 comparisons
Ultimate Ears Miniroll: $49.99 Amazon
Pros: Good clarity and detail in the mids/highs with a warmer tonal balance than most ultra-portables its size.
Cons: Bass not quite as deep as the best rated speakers
Full Ultimate Ears Miniroll review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2.3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.8" x 4.1" x 1.9" (122.7 x 105 x 48.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 45.6mm active with passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 83dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 3W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp/Auracast, Miniroll-only) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 279 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ultimate Ears Miniroll vs Anker Soundcore Mini
- Ultimate Ears Miniroll vs Marshall Willen II
- Ultimate Ears Miniroll vs Marshall Willen
- Ultimate Ears Miniroll vs Soundcore Mini 3
- Ultimate Ears Miniroll vs Klipsch Austin
- Ultimate Ears Miniroll vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
- Ultimate Ears Miniroll vs B&O Beoplay P2
- Ultimate Ears Miniroll vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- See all 19 comparisons