I test Bluetooth speakers for a living and this sub-$70 offering from Tribit rivals big names like JBL and Bose — here's what I like and don't like about it

As a reviews writer here at Tom's Guide, I get my hands on a lot of the latest tech, including some of the best Bluetooth speakers. And funnily enough, some of my favorites have been some of the cheapest offerings.

Tribit is a budget audio brand, but its Bluetooth speakers always turn out to be some of my favorites. I recently tested the Tribit StormBox Micro 3, and it totally earns it's 4.5 star rating.

The speaker is only $64, and can often be found on sale for even less. Like right now, it's down to $49 at Amazon U.S.

Excellent audio performance

Tribit StormBox Micro 3 in black photographed in front of a blue background — (Image credit: Future)

Of course, sound is the most important thing to consider when buying a new Bluetooth speaker, and the Tribit StormBox Micro 3 nails it. For such a small speaker, it creates a big sound.

And when the BassX setting is deployed, you have home-filling sound. I love using this feature in the house or just in the backyard while taking care of some chores. You can also switch up the EQ settings in the Tribit companion app, but the BassX button on the speaker makes switching up the sound incredibly easy, and it suits most music genres.

Top choice for durability

With a durability rating of IP68, this speaker can take on anything. With this rating, the speaker can actually withstand water submersion and is completely dust-tight.

You don't need to worry about dropping it, either, as it's been rated to survive falls from as much as four feet. I'm the world's worst butterfinger, so I did end up dropping the speaker a few times, and it was completely fine.

All-day battery

The 24-hour battery life is one of the best things about this speaker. It's double the battery life of some competitors, and it doesn't suffer too much at high volumes.

If using the BassX settings, the battery drains faster, but I was still able to get a good 18 hours, which is very impressive.

Not exactly "micro"

Though the StormBox Micro 3 is small, Tribit actually makes smaller speakers than this. The Tribit PocketGo, for example, is a lot smaller, and I find it far easier to carry around with me.

It's also surprisingly heavy, but that's down to the speaker being magnetic. This feature is incredibly convenient, and in some ways makes it worth the extra weight.

To find out more about the Bluetooth speaker and what it can do, you can read my full Tribit StromBox Micro 3 review.

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Ashley is a staff writer on the the Reviews team at Tom’s Guide. She has a master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and a BA in Journalism, Media and Sociology. She has written for titles including Women’s Health UK, writing health and wellness stories, and Virgin Radio UK, specializing in entertainment news and celebrity interviews. She has reported on a variety of topics including music, literature, motorsport, entertainment and health. She has previously reviewed live music events, books, and wellness products but discovering the top audio equipment on the market is what she does best. When she is not testing out the latest tech, you can find her either curled up with a cup of tea and a good novel or out hiking.