Short answer: the Tribit Xsound Plus 2. It ranks #36 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5) at $64.99 and is still sold new; the JBL Flip Essential ranks #90 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Flip Essential’s replacement, the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.6/5 at $113.82.
The Tribit Xsound Plus 2 is the better-sounding, longer-running option. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. The tradeoff: Boosted treble, boosted bass in the factory EQs.
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 Plus 2 at 1.8 lbs (798 g). 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 Plus 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Flip Essential is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Xsound Plus 2 | JBL Flip Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.99 | $130 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #36 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) |
| Aux Latency | 16ms | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | SBC 233ms, AAC 240ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (798 g) | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 7.8” x 2.8” x 2.6” (198 x 71 x 66 mm) | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 16W RMS |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm neodymium full-range drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Strap | Yes (strap) | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
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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 Plus 2: $64.99 Amazon $64.99 eBay
Older models: the Tribit Thunderbox Plus (ranked higher, rated 4.1/5), the Tribit Maxsound Plus V2 (ranked higher, rated 4.1/5) and the Tribit Maxsound Plus (ranked higher, rated 4.1/5). See every Tribit Maxsound and Xsound generation.
Pros: Use this EQ for the best sound quality. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted treble, boosted bass in the factory EQs. Peak at 320Hz, dip at 500Hz. Bass is slappy and distorted in xbass mode
Full Tribit Xsound Plus 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 16ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | SBC 233ms, AAC 240ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8” x 2.8” x 2.6” (198 x 71 x 66 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm neodymium full-range drivers |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (798 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit XSound Plus 2 - first impressions More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Plus 2: Upgrade Your Sound With Maxsound Eq Preset! New firmware tested More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Goodbye Maxsound Plus hello Tribit Xsound Plus 2! neutral heaven or bass for the masses?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bogasing G4 spot cheap speaker - I was NOT expecting this!
- Storytripper HD: Huawei Sound Joy 2 vs Tribit XSound Plus 2 vs Harman Kardon Luna More from storytripperhd →
- 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge Essential
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