Nearly six years ago, I had the opportunity to review a powerful little waterproof speaker called the Tribit Stormbox Micro. I gave it high marks, and I still use the speaker to this day. Now, I have the chance to review the latest version of the small speaker that offers big sound, and I’m pleased to report the little powerhouse has only gotten better. Why, it can even actually act as a powerhouse! But more about that later.
Tribit StormBox Micro 3 Overview
If you’re like me, you’ve likely tried several small speakers ovder the years. I have a box full of them at this point, as I couldn’t stand their tinny sound, finicky Bluetooth, and short battery life. Any portable speaker that was large enough to provide a better experience was usually too heavy to carry around all day. Enter the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3.
This portable speaker offers surprisingly good big out of a rather small package. The StormBox Micro 3 measures in at 4.4 x 4.1 x 1.8 inches (112 x 103 x 45mm for the metric among you) and weighs in at around at just under ¾ poind, making it extremely portable. The speaker is small enough to carry in one hand. I can easily carry it in my hand and it’s average-sized, I suppose. You can get an idea of its size by the photo seen below, courtesy of the Tribit website.)
The great thing about the StormBox Micro 3 is that it’s easy to carry around with you. At less than a pound, it doesn’t become a burden to have it strapped to your backpack, purse strap, or even your bike’s handlebars, thank to a convenient strap that has a bit of stretch to it. I’ve mostly used the original Micro in my shower for the last six years, fastened to the shower rod. The speaker is also magnetized, allowing it to securely stick to refrigerators, the side of your vehicle (only when parked, please) or maybe even the metal plate in your cousin Eddie’s head. (Oh, I just remembered, he’s got a piece of government plastic in there now, so scratch that last one.)
The Micro 3 has Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity, providing a better connection for longer distances. Tribit says it has a stable range of around 147 feet (45m). While I didn’t make any exact measurements, I was able to walk to the farthest corner of my 1,200 sq. ft. apartment with my iPhone in the opposite corner of the flat and I did not experience any sound drops.
The Tribit StormBox Micro 3 also has a built-in microphone, allowing you to use it as a hands-free speakerphone with your iPhone (or android device). I did a few test calls with my spouse, and she confirmed that I came in loud and clear on her end, while I could hear her just fine on my end. (Both are rather impressive accomplishments, considering I both a low talker and have hearing issues.) The inclusion of a mic in a speaker at this price level is a pleasant surprise and I wish other speaker manufacturers would take note.
The Stormbox Micro 3 packs 13W of power from a full-range driver, which is accompanied by a pair of passive radiators. The speaker has the ability to fill up a room with sound, albeit in mono, not stereo. While you can pair two Stormbox Micro 3 speakers to provide true stereo sound, I didn’t have the opportunity to try the feature as I was only supplied with one speaker. That’s not really an issue though, as the mono downmix sounds just great!
While there are always compromises to be made when it comes to the sound of small speakers like the Micro 3, Tribit has done a great job of avoiding the tinny sound of many small soundboxes, while also ensuring the bass sound isn’t simply a rattle. Tribit’s Signature EQ Setting (XBass) provides a great sound on the low end, and it can be enabled by a quick press of the XBass button on the speaker.
Thanks to an accompanying app, there are several other presets, and the app allows you to set your own custom EQ settings, which can be recalled with a tap of a finger. I found that in most cases, the speaker’s standard EQ tunign worked fine for me, but your mileage will vary. The app also can be used to update the speaker’s firmware.
The StormBox Micro 3 has a Lithium-ion 3.7V 4800mAh battery that is rechargeable using the included USB-C cable. (There wasn’t a charger in the box, but like me, you probably lready have 20 of those laying around the house, and car, and office.) Tribit claims the battery will provide up to 24 hours of playback, and I believe it will provide close to that for most users, depending on how loud you like your jams. While I didn’t try to make a full 24 hours, I will report that the speaker made it through a day of providing music for a moving crew and still had plenty of juice left. A full charge only takes a couple of hours, and the Micro 3 can also provide a charge to your iPhone or other USB-C device, via the speaker’s built-in port and included cable.
The speaker is fully dustproof and has an IP68 waterproof rating, meaning it can survive 30 minutes underwater at a depth of close to 5ft. (1.5m). The USB-C charging port has a built-in cover to keep the water out of the port. (I should note, I’ve used the original Micro strapped to the shower curtain rod in my shower for almost six years with no problems, and that model didn’t even have a port cover!)
The Micro 3 is also drop-proof, making it a worry-free way to take your favorite tunes (or podcasts, I suppose) on the go. While Tribit says that it meets US military standard, and can survive a drop from about 1.2m, I didn’t have the occassion to test that feature.
Unlike many of its competitors, who offer a rainbow of color options, the Tribit Stormbox Micro is available in just three colors, black, blue, and grayish white (their words, not mine). I tested the blue model and while the turquoise lettering and accents on the darker blue body is less than traditional, it is attractive nonetheless.
Verdict
The Tribit StormBox Micro 3 is an excellent choice for active types that enjoy taking along their favorite tunes and podcasts during their active day. The speaker isn’t too heavy to toe around, and its handy strap and magnetized back should allow you to go hand-free in most situations. The speaker’s powerful battery allow you to get through the day without a recharge, and can even provide a boost to your iPhone’s battery when needed.
I highly recommend the StormBox Micro 3 to users looking for well-above average sound in a small package. While I often pass along review samples of products to friends or relatives after writing a review, this speaker is staying with me. Maybe I’ll give away the original Stormbox Micro I’ve had for lo, these many years. It still has plenty of life left in it.
I give the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 an impressive 4 ½ stars out of 5.
Pros:
- Excellent sound from a small(ish) speaker
- Excellent battery life
- Can charge your iPhone or other USB-C device
- Reliable Bluetooth connectivity
- Waterproof and dustproof
- App allows customized EQ settings and firmware update
Cons:
- Could use more color options
- No charger in the box
The Tribit StormBox Micro 3 has a suggested retail price of $66.99 (USD) and is available both on Amazon and the Tribit website. (At the time of this review, is celebrating its 9th anniversary by offering up to 30% off your total purchase. It runs through August 31. A special price is also available on Amazon right now, but I don’t know for how long.)
Disclosure: This product has been supplied at no cost for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I was not paid by the manufacturer for the review. Photos may be courtesy of the manufacturer. The Amazon link is an affiliate link, meaning I get a small commission if you click and buy at Amazon.
