Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Pro. It ranks #40 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $90; the JBL Pulse 5 ranks #42 and costs $227.77, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Tribit Stormbox Pro offers: 24 hour battery life (60% volume, XBass off); doubles as a power bank. Watch for: Bottom woofer was fixed in a later firmware, upgrade for best sound.
On the JBL Pulse 5 side: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. Set against that: Not quite as deep bass as others.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Pro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Pulse 5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Stormbox Pro is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Pulse 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Pro | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $90 | $227.77 |
| Ranked | #40 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 980 g | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 3.8" x 3.8" x 7.1" (96 x 96 x 180 mm) | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 76mm subwoofer, 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 40W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| App | - | Yes |
| EQ | - | Yes |
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- Soundcore Glow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Soundcore Glow
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs JBL Pulse 5
The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Stormbox Pro: $90 Amazon
Pros: 24 hour battery life (60% volume, XBass off); doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Multi-point Bluetooth 5.3 pairing.
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.
Full Tribit Stormbox Pro review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 980 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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!
- 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
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox Pro Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Stormbox Pro vs Soundcore Motion 100
- Tribit Stormbox Pro vs Soundcore Glow
- Tribit Stormbox Pro vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Tribit Stormbox Pro vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- Tribit Stormbox Pro vs JBL Charge 5
- Tribit Stormbox Pro vs JBL Flip 6
- Tribit Stormbox Pro vs Tribit Stormbox
- Tribit Stormbox Pro vs Xdobo X8 Max
JBL Pulse 5: $227.77 Amazon
Pros: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2.
Cons: Not quite as deep bass as others. Plastic scratches easily.
Full JBL Pulse 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons