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Apple EarPods In-Ear Earbuds with 3.5mm Headphone Plug vs Tribit StormBox Mini+

These are different products, not substitutes: the EarPods are wired in-ear earbuds for private listening, and the StormBox Mini+ is a small Bluetooth speaker for shared sound. Buy the EarPods for calls, podcasts and music on an Apple device with a headphone jack; buy the StormBox Mini+ for a room, a picnic or a shower. On November 3, 2026 the EarPods are $35.61 at Walmart and the StormBox Mini+ is $39.99 at Amazon, so the speaker costs about $4 more.

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Apple
Apple EarPods In-Ear Earbuds with 3.5mm Headphone Plug

Apple EarPods In-Ear Earbuds with 3.5mm Headphone Plug

4.5· 7,514 ratings

Choose the Apple EarPods if you want private listening, a built-in mic and remote, and a wired connection that never needs charging.

Pros
  • Works with any 3.5mm jack, including older iPhones, iPads and Macs
  • Inline remote controls volume, playback and calls
No charging or pairing needed
  • 4.5 out of 5 from 7,514 ratings
  • Lowest price in this pair at $35.61
  • Cons
    • No water resistance rating
    • Wired cable can snag during sports
    • No app, EQ or stereo pairing
    • Needs a headphone jack or an adapter
    • Two-pack listing, so you get duplicates if you only need one
    Tribit
    Tribit StormBox Mini+

    Tribit StormBox Mini+

    4.5· 57 ratings
    $39.99at AmazonObserved Nov 3, 2026, 7:46 AM
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    Choose the Tribit StormBox Mini+ if you want to fill a room or outdoor space with sound, need IPX7 water protection, or want 12 hours of playback without a cable.

    Pros
    • IPX7 waterproof, fine for showers, pools and rain
    • 12 hours of playback at 60% volume
    • Bluetooth 5.4 with up to 30 meters of range
    • App EQ, five presets and stereo pairing of two units
    • Plays from microSD cards and AUX, not just Bluetooth
    Cons
    • Bass is thin and muddy according to buyers
    • Battery drops to about 6 hours at high volume
    • Lowest volume is still loud for some uses
    • Stereo pairing is fiddly to activate
    • Only 57 ratings, far fewer than the EarPods

    What separates them

    Apple EarPods In-Ear Earbuds with 3.5mm Headphone PlugTribit StormBox Mini+
    Product typeWired in-ear earbudsPortable Bluetooth speaker
    Connection3.5mm headphone plugBluetooth 5.4, AUX, USB, microSD up to 128GB
    PowerDraws from the device, no battery2600mAh battery, about 12 hours at 60% volume
    Water resistanceNot ratedIPX7, survives immersion
    MicrophoneBuilt-in mic and inline remote for calls and volumeBuilt-in mic for hands-free calls
    Sound designSmall drivers aimed at the ear canalTwo 48mm drivers, passive radiator, 12W, 360-degree stereo
    App and EQNoneTribit App with custom EQ and 5 presets
    Price, November 3, 2026$35.61 at Walmart$39.99 at Amazon

    Price history

    $39.99$9.99
    Oct 30Nov 3
    • Apple EarPods In-Ear Earbuds with 3.5mm Headphone Plug: lowest $9.99 on Oct 30 at eBay; $14.88 on Nov 1.
    • Tribit StormBox Mini+: lowest $39.99 on Nov 3 at Tribit.

    Prices at every store

    Apple EarPods In-Ear Earbuds with 3.5mm Headphone Plug

    • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
    • AmazonCheck price at Amazon
    • AppleCheck price at Apple
    Prices and history →

    Tribit StormBox Mini+

    • TribitNew

      In stock

      $39.99+ $7.00 shippingObserved Nov 3, 2026, 7:46 AM
      Visit store
    • Newegg.comNew

      In stockSold by Weilis elect

      $61.99Free shippingObserved Nov 3, 2026, 7:46 AM
      Visit store
    • AmazonNew

      Availability unknown

      As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

      $39.99Free shippingObserved Nov 3, 2026, 7:46 AM
      Visit store

    Also available at

    • eBayCheck price at eBay
    All 3 stores and price history →

    Specs compared

    SpecApple EarPods In-Ear Earbuds with 3.5mm Headphone PlugTribit StormBox Mini+
    colorRedBlack, Blue, Green
    size2-Pack—
    With MicrophoneYes—
    StyleIn-ear—
    Wireless TypeBluetooth—
    UseSports—
    Assistant SupportSiri—
    Height0.98″ tall—
    Width2.63″ wide—
    Depth3.5″ deep—
    Quantity2 Pack—
    Wireless—Yes
    Show all 26 specsShow fewer specs
    SpecApple EarPods In-Ear Earbuds with 3.5mm Headphone PlugTribit StormBox Mini+
    Connectivity—Bluetooth, USB, AUX
    Max Wattage—12 W
    Bluetooth version—V5.4
    Output power—2*6W
    Frequency response—80~20KHz
    Battery capacity—2600mAh
    Play time—12 hours(At 60% volume)
    Charging time—About 2.5 hours
    Waterproof rating—IPX7
    Dimensions

    What reviewers say

    Apple EarPods In-Ear Earbuds with 3.5mm Headphone Plug

    Owners rate these highly for comfort, reliability and the convenience of a wired mic. Most criticism centers on the cable and the modest sound quality.

    Pros
    • Comfortable fit for long listening
    • Reliable mic and remote controls
    • Good value for a spare pair
    Cons
    • Cable tangles and wears over time
    • Weak bass and little noise isolation
    • Needs an adapter for jack-less phones

    Tribit StormBox Mini+

    Owner feedback is positive overall, with a 4.5 out of 5 average from 57 ratings. Buyers consistently call the sound impressive for the size and the setup easy, while bass depth and pairing quirks are the recurring complaints.

    Pros
    • Big, clear sound for a small speaker
    • Simple setup out of the box
    • Stereo pairing of two units sounds excellent
    • Good value for the price
    Cons
    • Weak, muddy bass with little punch
    • Minimum volume too loud for some settings
    • Stereo pairing is fiddly to activate
    • Battery life falls to about 6 hours at high volume
    Reviews
    • Sweet Tech on a Small Budget: A Dozen Gadget Gifts Under $50 - PCMag editors select and review products independently
    • Need a Last-Minute Gift? Try One of These 15 Tech Steals Under $50
    • The Best Cheap Bluetooth Speakers for 2026
    • Speaker Reviews From Our Experts - PCMag editors select and review products independently

    Questions and answers

    Which is better for running or the gym?
    The EarPods stay private and need no charging, but they have no water rating and a cable. The StormBox Mini+ is IPX7 but too bulky at 1.2 lb to carry on a run. For gym use, the EarPods are the more practical pick.
    Which sounds better?
    The StormBox Mini+ moves far more air with two 48mm drivers and 12W, so it fills a room. The EarPods are tuned for close listening and calls. Buyers do say the Mini+ bass is weak for its size.
    Is the StormBox Mini+ worth $4 more than the EarPods?
    Only if you want a speaker. At $39.99 versus $35.61 the gap is small, but they serve different jobs, so the extra $4 buys a different product, not an upgrade.
    Which lasts longer?
    The EarPods have no battery to wear out and can last years if the cable holds up. The StormBox Mini+ runs about 12 hours per charge at 60% volume, or about 6 hours loud, and its battery degrades over time.
    Can I take calls on both?
    Yes. The EarPods have an inline mic and remote for calls. The StormBox Mini+ has a built-in mic for hands-free calls, and buyers rate its mic quality as good.
    Do the EarPods work with a modern iPhone?
    Only through a Lightning or USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, since recent iPhones have no headphone jack. They plug directly into Macs, older iPads and most Android phones.

    More comparisons

    • Tribit StormBox Mini+ vs Roku Streaming Stick+ 4K & HDR Streaming Device with Voice Remote
    • Apple EarPods In-Ear Earbuds with 3.5mm Headphone Plug vs Skullcandy Smokin' Buds XT True Wireless in-Ear Earbuds
    • Apple EarPods In-Ear Earbuds with 3.5mm Headphone Plug vs 7HZ Salnotes Zero
    • Apple EarPods In-Ear Earbuds with 3.5mm Headphone Plug vs Roku Streaming Stick+ 4K & HDR Streaming Device with Voice Remote

    Buying guides that pick them

    • Best gifts under $50
    • Best headphones under $20
    —
    119mm x91mm x 91mm
    Weight—1.20 lb
    Bluetooth range—30 meters range
    Audio driver size—48 Millimeters
    Memory card support—128GB memory cards in MP3, WAV, and WMA formats