Short answer: the Tribit Xsound Mega for better sound quality, the JBL Charge Essential for the lower price. The Tribit Xsound Mega ranks #20 of 136 medium speakers at $116.70. The JBL Charge Essential ranks #68 at $73.99, $42.71 cheaper.
What the Tribit Xsound Mega offers: Deepest bass of any medium size speaker. Use xbass mode for flattest frequency response. Watch for: Single driver, not stereo. Lack of detail. Lack of upper treble, peaky lower treble. Not great off axis. Keep in mind this speaker gives up some sound quality for deeper bass.
What the JBL Charge Essential offers: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential. Watch for: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound.
Buy the Tribit Xsound Mega if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Charge Essential if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Xsound Mega | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $116.70 | $73.99 |
| Ranked | #20 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #68 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms | - |
| Max Volume | 100dB | - |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1020 g | 1.7 lbs / 770 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Drivers | 60mm woofer + 35mm tweeter + passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Dimensions | - | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.4" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 20W RMS |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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 Xsound Mega: $116.70 Amazon eBay
Pros: Deepest bass of any medium size speaker. Use xbass mode for flattest frequency response.
Cons: Single driver, not stereo. Lack of detail. Lack of upper treble, peaky lower treble. Not great off axis. Keep in mind this speaker gives up some sound quality for deeper bass.
Full Tribit Xsound Mega review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 60mm woofer + 35mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1020 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Mega Review vs Anker Soundcore Motion Plus - bang for buck champs! 😛 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: £50/$50 bluetooth speaker shootout! Tribit Xsound Mega vs Soundcore Boost and others…👍
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit XSound Mega 😲 Can the Budget Priced Speaker Hang With the Big $ One? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs XSound Mega - Sound Comparison, Stock EQ, Both Mono Sound 😶🌫️ A Family Feud
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Mega vs the world! (JBL Charge 5, Bose Flex, Sony XB33, LG PL7) 👍
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Earfun UBoom L 💣(EQ2) 🆚 Tribit XSound Mega 🔥(XBass EQ)- Bluetooth Speaker Bedroom Bash. Who U Got?🔝
- Reddit Search for Tribit Xsound Mega Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Tribit Xsound Mega vs Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus
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- Tribit Xsound Mega vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs JBL Charge 5
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs JBL Flip 7
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- See all 78 comparisons
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential.
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound.
Full JBL Charge Essential review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs / 770 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Flossy Carter: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Charge Essential More from FlossyCarter →
- Techder Audios: JBL EXTREME 3 VS JBL CHARGE ESSENTIAL More from techderaudios →
- The Tech Files: JBL CHARGE ESSENTIAL VS CHARGE ESSENTIAL 2 COMPARATIVO AMBIENTE EXTERNO
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge Essential Review
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