Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Tribit Xsound Mega is the better pick: it ranks #21 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5), 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 Xsound Mega is the better-sounding option. Deepest bass of any medium size speaker. 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: Single driver, not stereo.
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 Xsound Mega at 2.2 lbs (1.02 kg). The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
Buy the Tribit Xsound Mega 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.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Xsound Mega | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $116.70 Discontinued | $73.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #21 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #92 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| 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 | - |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1020 g) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (additional codecs unverified) | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Dimensions | 9.8”H x 3.4”W x 3.1”D (250 x 87 x 80 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Tribit Xsound Mega:
- EarFun Uboom L vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Tribit Xsound Mega
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Xsound Mega: $116.70 Discontinued Amazon $116.70 eBay
Pros: Deepest bass of any medium size speaker. Use xbass mode for flattest frequency response. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-10dB).
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. Discontinued.
Full Tribit Xsound Mega review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.8”H x 3.4”W x 3.1”D (250 x 87 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 60mm woofer + 35mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| 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…👍
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Mega vs the world! (JBL Charge 5, Bose Flex, Sony XB33, LG PL7) 👍
- 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
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Earfun UBoom L 💣(EQ2) 🆚 Tribit XSound Mega 🔥(XBass EQ)- Bluetooth Speaker Bedroom Bash. Who U Got?🔝
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs JBL Flip 7
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs JBL Flip 6
- See all 79 comparisons
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
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Flip Essential
- JBL Charge Essential vs Teufel Rockster Go 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam
- JBL Charge Essential vs KEF Muo gen2
- JBL Charge Essential vs Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus
- See all 127 comparisons