We ask a lot of tiny portable Bluetooth speakers: You want one that’s small enough to tote anywhere and sounds better than your phone without costing too much. There are plenty of options to choose from, but Tribit’s StormBox Micro 2 is one of the few that checks all the boxes.
The updated version of the StormBox Micro improves on the original by delivering better sound and battery life without getting much bigger. The StormBox Micro 2 costs about $10 more than the first version, but it’s still a great deal.
With a more balanced sound and a couple more hours of battery life, the StormBox Micro 2 improves on an already impressive ultra-portable speaker. The price increased, but it remains one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers you can get for the money.
What we liked about it
Improved sound
Tribit managed to make the overall sound of the StormBox Micro 2 more balanced and added a bit more bass. While the sound from the little unit can’t beat bigger speakers, it’s still a big improvement over what comes out of your phone.
Zach Bryan’s and Kacey Musgraves’ vocals on “I Remember Everything” were clear and fuller than on the first-generation StormBox Micro and the popular Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3. The distorted guitars and crashing cymbals on Foo Fighters’ “Under You” sounded sharp without being tinny. The extra bass added more oomph to Killer Mike’s “Down By Law” —?though the Wonderboom 3 produces more low end if that’s what’s most important to you.
Longer battery life
Tribit also eked out two more hours from the battery, so it now lasts up to 12 hours on a full charge. While that trails the Wonderboom 3’s 14-hour capacity, it closes the gap. And in testing at low volume, the StormBox Micro 2 still had an almost full charge after more than five hours of listening, suggesting you could get more than 12 hours depending on how loud you need it.
You can also now use the StormBox Micro 2 to charge your phone,?so you don’t have to pack a separate external battery, saving space and weight.
Still small and rugged
Very little changed in the design from version 1 to 2. The 3.9-inch-by-3.9-inch-by-1.7-inch StormBox Micro 2 is 0.3 inches taller than the original and weighs 0.7 pounds — 0.1 pounds more than the original. For comparison, the Wonderboom 3 measures 4.1-inches-by-3.8 inches and weighs 0.9 pounds; in general, I think the StormBox Micro 2’s form is easier to find space for in your bag.
The new version maintains its IP67 ruggedness rating, meaning you don’t have to worry about getting it wet or dirt messing up its function.
What we didn’t like about it
Increased price
Tribit bumped up the price by $10, from $50 to $60. That’s still significantly less than the $100 Wonderboom 3 but more than the $50 JBL Clip 4. The improved sound and battery life are worth the Hamilton.
Bottom line
Tribit’s StormBox Micro 2 is one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers you can get. With very good sound for its size, including decent bass, it’ll help spread sound wherever you choose to take it.
There are certainly a lot of choices when it comes to ultra-portable Bluetooth speakers. The UE Wonderboom 3 has better bass and a bigger sound, but you’ll pay more. The JBL Clip 4 costs less but doesn’t sound as full.
The StormBox Micro 2 offers the best combination of price, sound quality and size. If you have the first-generation model, you probably don’t need to rush to upgrade, but the newest version definitely improves on what’s most important.
