Tribit’s latest Stormbox The Bluetooth speaker is such a good value for money that you should probably buy it. The sound is clear and dynamic. The design is robust and water-resistant, and the large buttons on its front, heavily “influenced” by the Ultimate Ears speakers, offer easy control. Even the battery life is impressive: up to 24 hours per charge.
You can get a sound upgrade and greater durability by opting for more expensive rivals from brands like UE or JBL, but the Stormbox 2 is an incredible portable sound machine in its own right. If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, it’s one of the best Bluetooth speakers you’ll find at this price point – and even higher.
Robust familiarity
I’m not pointing fingers, but the Stormbox looks like someone slammed an Ultimate Ears Boom speaker and a JBL Flip speaker into one of Dr. Brundle’s telepods. To be fair, there are plenty of speakers that look similar, but the Stormbox series certainly looks familiar.
I’m not complaining, as Tribit’s apparent homage to both of those popular laptops cleverly combines their best design traits. JBL-style passive radiators in the Stormbox’s end caps help deliver a solid thump in the bass, while large control keys reminiscent of Ultimate Ears speakers make playback commands a cinch. I’d even argue that Tribit improves on the UE’s design, placing a multi-function control key in the center for easy access.
Photography: Ryan Waniata
Beneath the Stormbox 2’s dimpled acoustic grille are two 48mm drivers rated at 17 watts each, providing an additional 10 watts of total power over its predecessor. At 7 inches tall and weighing just over 1.5 pounds, it’s nearly identical in size to the Flip and a number of rivals. It’s not quite as portable as the micro-sized Sony SRS-XB100 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), but it’s still easy enough to carry around.
The Stormbox 2’s IPX7 certification means it’s waterproof enough to dunk in the pool, but it doesn’t offer any dust resistance. That’s a slight disappointment, as most new speakers we’ve tested offer IP67 certification for “complete protection” from dust. That said, I’ve had an IPX7 speaker for years with no ill effects – you’ll just need to be careful on sandy beaches.
Aesthetically, the rear control keys and awkward rubber cover for the USB-C charging port feel a little cheap, but that’s perfectly in line with the price. The speaker still feels sturdy and generally well-made — a notch above Amazon’s no-name options.
Solid Extras
Tribit’s latest model is well-equipped on the feature side, including modern conveniences like the ability to pair with a second Stormbox 2 and an extended wireless range of up to 45 meters via Bluetooth 5.3, doubling the previous model. The latter claim held up well in my line-of-sight tests, providing plenty of reach to stroll around your next outdoor gathering. There’s even a 3.5mm input and built-in microphone for taking calls, options that many more expensive speakers have ditched.
Photography: Ryan Waniata