These two speakers are compact and good companions for a day out on the beach or by the pool. However, the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 is about $20-$30 cheaper than the UE speaker. Hence, it brings us to a question—is it worth buying the old UE Wonderboom 2 over the new Tribit Stormbox Micro 2? Well, that’s what we’ll find in this post as we compare Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 against the UE Wonderboom 2. Let’s get going, shall we? But first,
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Design & Connectivity
The Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 is a small and lightweight Bluetooth speaker. Like its predecessor, it’s square-shaped with rounded corners. It weighs just a mere 280 grams. The lightweight and compact form factor makes it easy to carry it in pockets and tote bags. For the record, it’s rated IP67 and can take its share of dust and moisture. The front of the speaker packs a cloth grille. And despite its tiny shape, it has a passive radiator in place at the bottom. Plus, the rubber grips at the bottom prevent the speaker from moving around when playing songs at high volume. The rear also has a rubber strap to strap it to poles, handles, or backpacks. So yeah, you have got the perfect hiking companion in this little guy. All the controls are at the top to let you adjust the playback or volume. On the other hand, the UE Wonderboom 2 looks like a mini rugby ball with a flattened top and bottom. Like its counterpart above, it’s compact and lightweight and can be carried in backpacks, pockets, or hung from the handles of bicycles. It just weighs around 420 grams and is a little heavy compared to its peer. The Wonderboom 2 is also waterproof and UE has pushed its waterproofing up a few notches. For instance, it can be submerged in 3 feet of water for up to half an hour. The folks at Tom’s Guide submerged this portable Bluetooth speaker in a sinkful of water, and yet it managed to belt out songs without any issues. Naturally, this quality makes it perfect for beach parties and pool parties. Apart from the above, it carries the signature UE design of a huge Plus and Minus sign for volume control. And yeah, it packs in a fabric loop to hang it from bike handles or poles.
Features
Another advantage of the Stormbox Micro 2 is its long Bluetooth range. It comes with Bluetooth 5.3, which gives it a range of around 120 ft. The folks at CNET tested this speaker’s connectivity and found it to work seamlessly up to 60ft within their house. Being an older device, the Wonderboom 2 has a shorter range. You get around 33ft range. And if you are out in the open, you should be able to play songs without the signal breaking. You can also pair a Wonderboom 2 with a second Wonderboom 2 speaker to enhance the overall sound effect.
Battery
Both portable Bluetooth speakers have almost the same battery life. However, before we get down to it, it’s important to note that battery life may differ on the volume levels. Playing songs at a high volume will deplete the battery faster. The Tribit speaker is rated at 12 hours, whereas the UE Wonderboom 2 lasts for around 13 hours. One of the primary differences between the two is the charging port. While UE uses the legacy Micro-USB port, Tribit goes ahead and has integrated a new-age USB-C port. So yeah, you can also use your phone’s USB-C charging cable to fuel this speaker. Convenient, right?
Audio Performance
Tribit Strombox speakers are known for their high volume, and the Strombox Micro 2 is no exception. It is loud, thereby making these speakers apt for parties. However, the volume tends to distort at very high volumes. At the same time, the bass is a tad on the lighter side. That said, vocals appear clear, and the odds are that you will enjoy listening to your favorite songs in this one. Interestingly, the UE Wonderboom 2 also belts out loud songs, particularly for its size. While it doesn’t deliver heart-thumping bass, the amount of bass is just about right. Again, a similar problem plagues this speaker—the audio tends to distort at higher volumes.
Which One Should You Pick
So, which one should you pick between the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 and the UE Wonderboom 2? If you are looking for a cheap and new-age speaker, the Stormbox Micro 2 makes for a better buy. It has a superb range, and the audio isn’t bad for the price. Besides that, you get USB-C charging. But if you do not mind spending a few bucks more, the Wonderboom 2 is a good pick. For its size, it is surprisingly loud. The best part is to pair two Wonderboom 2 speakers and get an amplified audio output. Naturally, this makes it great for parties and get-togethers.
