Tribit Stormbox Mini+ Review: A Great Cheap Portable Speaker
If you’re shopping for a portable Bluetooth speaker, it’s a given that you want good sound quality. Within a budget of $75-$150, there are many great options, including popular models like the JBL Flip 7, Beats Pill, and Tribit StormBox 2. However, if you’ve spent most of your cash on travel plans, you might be thinking you have fewer choices. The Tribit StormBox Mini+, priced at $40, is a pleasant surprise, delivering a lot for its cost with some unexpected features not found in pricier models.
I spent a week using the StormBox Mini+ as both a backyard and travel companion, and I found it to be incredibly versatile. While I would usually recommend investing a bit more in a speaker, the StormBox Mini+ doesn’t disappoint for its price.
What’s the Plus?
The Tribit StormBox Mini+ inherits its design from familiar models by JBL and Ultimate Ears (UE). It’s cylindrical, covered in wear-resistant fabric, and capped with silicone ends, available in black, green, and blue. It's nearly identical to the earlier model, the Tribit StormBox Mini, with a few enhancements. The compatibility with a Tribit app is added, offering an equalizer and more settings. Plus, there's the AAC codec for improved audio, especially if you're using an iPhone.
With an IPX7 water resistance rating, the speaker can survive immersion in water up to three feet for 30 minutes. Interestingly, it floats upside down, offering more reassurance, although the lack of dust resistance due to its IPX7 rating means being cautious of substances like sand.
On the speaker’s spine are backlit buttons for power, Bluetooth pairing, and LED control. In front, oversize volume controls are stitched into the fabric grille, reminiscent of UE speakers. You can pair two StormBox Mini+ speakers for stereo sound, but trying to use the 3.5mm aux-in port will disable Bluetooth connectivity, a factor to consider if you're using an analog source.
A multifunction button between volume controls allows media control and voice assistant access, a feature absent in similar JBL models. The 3.5mm AUX input lies protected behind a rubber gasket, which is rather rare among waterproof portable speakers.
The speaker flaunts a LED halo on top with two music-synced patterns, which you can control via the Tribit app or directly from the speaker. These effects offer more than just visual fun—they provide ambiance, mirroring the calming effect of a lava lamp when no music is playing.
Surprising Sound
While speakers of this size generally struggle with stereo sound, the StormBox Mini+’s two 48mm drivers ensure 360-degree sound dispersion. This means that regardless of where you place it, you'll enjoy a great sound experience.
The midrange clarity was impressive, managing to deliver quite well across different genres like jazz and pop. Despite the physical constraints of this modestly sized speaker, it can reach high volumes with minimal distortion and provide an enjoyable listening experience.
Bass isn't the StormBox Mini+’s strongest suit, given its size, yet against a surface or in a corner, the boundary gain effect can amplify bass elements significantly. The speaker also boasts a customizable equalizer with five presets—Music, Audiobook, Classical, Rock, and Jazz—enhancing its flexibility for different musical preferences.
Stay Close for Calls
The speakerphone function is reliable but requires proximity for clear calls, as moving too far makes voices faint. Some users experienced disconnections during calls, but my experience was smooth, with functionalities like voice assistant access working well.
Tribit estimates about 12 hours of playtime from a full charge, which takes about 2.5 hours. However, with varied volumes and frequently using the LED lights, I achieved closer to 9.5 hours. Though not the best in class, this is satisfactory for a whole day's use.
The Tribit StormBox Mini+ competes well in a crowded market by combining price, sound quality, and features in a waterproof package. For $40, its value is hard to beat. Alternatives exist, from less expensive models like Soundcore Select 4 Go to more powerful options like JBL Flip 7, but few balance budget and quality as well as the StormBox Mini+.
