Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Tribit Stormbox Pro is the better pick: it ranks #46 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5), against #92 (rated 3.2/5) for the JBL Charge Essential. If you want one new, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE replaces the JBL Charge Essential and is rated 3.7/5 at $199.95.
The Tribit Stormbox Pro is the better-sounding pick. 24 hour battery life (60% volume, XBass off); doubles as a power bank. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Bottom woofer was fixed in a later firmware, upgrade for best sound.
The JBL Charge Essential is the lighter pick. Doubles as a power bank. At 1.7 lbs (770 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Tribit Stormbox Pro at 2.2 lbs (980 g). It links with other speakers (Connect+ up to 100 speakers), which the Tribit Stormbox Pro cannot. Watch for: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Pro only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, which replaces the JBL Charge Essential.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Pro | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $90 Discontinued | $73.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #46 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #92 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (980 g) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 3.8” x 3.8” x 7.1” (96 x 96 x 180 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 76mm subwoofer, 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| App | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Strap | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 Pro: $90 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Tribit Stormbox Max, estimated 3.8/5, released Sep 2026. It adds party mode and AAC, but drops aptX. Water resistance goes from IPX7 to IP68. See every Tribit Stormbox generation.
Same family: the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 (smaller model, rated 4.5/5), the Tribit Stormbox Flow (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the Tribit Stormbox Blast (larger model, rated 4.5/5).
Pros: 24 hour battery life (60% volume, XBass off); doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Multi-point Bluetooth 5.3 pairing. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bottom woofer was fixed in a later firmware, upgrade for best sound. Peaky mids, highs rolled off. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued; Tribit has retired it.
Full Tribit Stormbox Pro review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.8” x 3.8” x 7.1” (96 x 96 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 76mm subwoofer, 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (980 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Pro Review - vs Tribit Stormbox - bass monster?? 🤔 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Pro - two versions compared - was it broken? 🤔
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Glow: best budget 360 degree speaker or get the Bose Revolve+? 1 hour of fun!
- DIGI-EARS: Xdobo X8 Max vs. JBL Charge 5 vs. Anker Soundcore Motion+ vs. Tribit Stormbox Pro Sound Test Battle
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JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Discontinued Amazon $73.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5, released Apr 2026. See every JBL Charge Essential generation.
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential.
Cons: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded JBL Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge Essential review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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