Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential 2, if you are buying new. The Tribit Stormbox Pro ranks higher than it (#46 vs #81 of 164 medium speakers, 3.7/5 vs 3.3/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Flip Essential 2 is still sold new at $85.90.
The Tribit Stormbox Pro is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. 24 hour battery life (60% volume, XBass off); doubles as a power bank. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential 2. It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip Essential 2 lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Flip Essential 2 lacks. The catch: Bottom woofer was fixed in a later firmware, upgrade for best sound.
The JBL Flip Essential 2 is the lighter choice. Essentially a Flip 5 in a new shell: the same single 44 x 80mm racetrack driver and 20W amplifier, rated down to 65Hz. At 1.1 lbs (520 g) it weighs much less than the Tribit Stormbox Pro at 2.2 lbs (980 g). The tradeoff: There is no tweeter, and side by side comparisons found it does not sound as good as the Flip 6, with less bass; its bass stops growing above about 70% volume, so turning it up mostly adds loudness, not weight.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential 2 new; the Tribit Stormbox Pro is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Pro | JBL Flip Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $90 Discontinued | $85.90 |
| Ranked | #46 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #81 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (980 g) | 1.1 lbs (520 g) |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 3.8” x 3.8” x 7.1” (96 x 96 x 180 mm) | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (175 x 68 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 76mm subwoofer, 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 1x 44x80mm racetrack fullrange + 2x passive radiators |
| 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 | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
Smaller models: the Tribit Stormbox Flow (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 (rated 4.5/5).
Larger model: the Tribit Stormbox Blast (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 →
| 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: Soundcore Glow: best budget 360 degree speaker or get the Bose Revolve+? 1 hour of fun! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Pro Review - vs Tribit Stormbox - bass monster?? 🤔
- 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? 🤔
- DIGI-EARS: Xdobo X8 Max vs. JBL Charge 5 vs. Anker Soundcore Motion+ vs. Tribit Stormbox Pro Sound Test Battle More from DigitalSlang →
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JBL Flip Essential 2: $85.90 Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Flip Essential (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5).
Pros: Essentially a Flip 5 in a new shell: the same single 44 x 80mm racetrack driver and 20W amplifier, rated down to 65Hz. In a side by side loudness test it got louder than the JBL Grip, and listeners comparing it with the Marshall Emberton found it more open sounding and clearer. IPX7 waterproof, 520 g, USB-C charging and Bluetooth 5.1 with two phones connected at once.
Cons: There is no tweeter, and side by side comparisons found it does not sound as good as the Flip 6, with less bass; its bass stops growing above about 70% volume, so turning it up mostly adds loudness, not weight. No app, no EQ, no PartyBoost or stereo pairing, a claimed 10 hours of battery, and IPX7 covers water but not dust.
Full JBL Flip Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (175 x 68 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm racetrack fullrange + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (520 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- AudioTribe: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Flip Essential 2 FULL TEARDOWN in Just 15 Minutes!
- Speaker Fan: JBL Flip 6 VS JBL Flip Essential 2 VS JBL Grip Loudness Test - Which Is Louder?
- HQ AUDIO Exchange: JBL Flip Essential 2 vs. Flip 6 | Bass Sound Test!
- Cristian Catalin’s Sound&Video: JBL Flip Essential 2 VS Marshall Emberton - sound comparison
- Angelicaaudio: Mini JBL Flip Essential 2 vs. JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth Speaker Review
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