Portable, outdoor speakers come in all shapes and sizes, but the Tribit StormBox Lava's roller-shaped design bears more than a passing resemblance to one of the biggest players in the game, JBL.
Although taking inspiration from the popular speaker, Tribit has delivered a solid device with a robust design and many features at a much more affordable price.
The rugged StormBox Lava is IP67 rated, which means it's completely dust-tight and will survive 30 minutes in water one metre deep. It comes with a nice detachable shoulder strap/handle, so it's definitely suited for outdoor life, be that the summer beach or autumn camping. It might not be as light as some of its competitors, but I don't think you'd be weighed down too much.
You get a few simple controls on the speaker itself, but most of he time you'll no doubt be controlling it via a device connected via Bluetooth 5.4. A nice touch at this price point is that you can also use an app to tweak audio settings and update the device's firmware.
This month, an update has improved the sound quality and refined the EQ presets. It's reassuring to know that the speaker will only improve over time.
So, how about the most important thing - does it pack a big punch for its size? That's a big yes. It offers an 80W output and a strong low-end punch, while the bass was surprisingly hefty. It's not the most refined sound you're ever going to hear, but I don't think you'd have much to grumble at.
The device features a built-in microphone, allowing you to answer calls, and also supports connection via an AUX input. There is also a USB-C port for charging and a USB-A that can deliver juice just like a power bank. Very handy for when you're phone runs out. Regarding power, you get a runtime of 24 hours, which is definitely better than most.
With Party Mode, users can sync 160-plus speakers for an immersive surround sound experience, which Tribit says is perfect for large gatherings. I didn't
All in all, the StormBox Lava is a bit of a bargain. You can spend significantly more for something that delivers nearly the same performance.
The Tribit StormBox Lava is currently available on Amazon UK for £99.99 (23% off).
What users say
"Go ahead and enjoy it. It's a bargain, and a super bit of kit that has incredible battery life.... and if you do buy one, you'll save around £120 compared to the JBL Extreme 4, which is the only item that comes close, but pound-for-pound.... Tribit for the win!"
"The lava indeed has great bass, as everyone says. The problem is, the bass is more pronounced when listening from the sides of the speaker as opposed to directly in front of it. The second issue is that the bass is absolutely amazing up to about 40% volume or so. 60 and above.... it fizzles out and your just getting mids and highs."
Alternatives
Sony ULT FIELD 3
JBL Xtreme 3