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 #90 (rated 3.2/5) for the JBL Flip Essential. If you want one new, the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE replaces the JBL Flip Essential and is rated 3.6/5 at $113.82.
The Tribit Xsound Mega is the better-sounding, longer-running option. Deepest bass of any medium size speaker. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Single driver, not stereo.
The JBL Flip Essential is the lighter option. A genuinely portable 1 lbs (471 g) speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. At 1 lbs (471 g) it weighs much less than the Tribit Xsound Mega at 2.2 lbs (1.02 kg). Watch for: Bass is lighter than the JBL Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight.
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 Flip Essential 3 SE, which replaces the JBL Flip Essential.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Xsound Mega | JBL Flip Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $116.70 Discontinued | $130 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #21 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1020 g) | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Drivers | 60mm woofer + 35mm tweeter + passive radiators | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Dimensions | 9.8”H x 3.4”W x 3.1”D (250 x 87 x 80 mm) | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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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 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
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JBL Flip Essential: $130 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5, released Apr 2026. See every JBL Flip Essential generation.
Pros: A genuinely portable 471g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. It is a simple, no-app option for wired sources, travel and casual listening where its cylindrical shape and modest size are a genuine advantage.
Cons: Bass is lighter than the JBL Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight. Battery life is only a claimed 10 hours, there is no speakerphone, EQ or party mode, and its older Bluetooth 4.1 platform and discontinued status make it a basic used-market choice.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2019 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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