Short answer: the Beats Pill 2024. It ranks #64 of 142 medium speakers by sound quality at $99.95; the Sony XB23 ranks #67 and costs $100, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
On the Beats Pill 2024 side: Doubles as a power bank (USB-C charge-out). Set against that: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy.
The case for the Sony XB23: Reasonably neutral. The tradeoff: Bass drops off a ton at high levels.
Buy the Beats Pill 2024. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony XB23 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Beats Pill 2024 is rated for 24 hours, the Sony XB23 only 12 hours.
Water resistance is not close: the Beats Pill 2024 is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Sony XB23 at IPX4 (splashing).
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beats Pill 2024 | Sony XB23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.95 | $100 |
| Ranked | #64 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~56Hz | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) | 1.3 lbs (580 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.6" x 2.8" x 2.8" (219 x 71 x 70 mm) | 3" x 8.6" x 3" (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers with dual passive radiators | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 8W RMS |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Beats Pill 2024:
- JBL Charge 6 vs Beats Pill 2024
- JBL Flip 7 vs Beats Pill 2024
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs Beats Pill 2024
- Sonos Play vs Beats Pill 2024
- JBL Charge 4 vs Beats Pill 2024
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Beats Pill 2024: $99.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-C charge-out). 24 hour battery life; a 10 min quick-charge gives 2 hours. IP67 rated. Stereo pairs with a second Pill. Measured bass extension of ~56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy. Slightly recessed mids. Rolled off treble.
Full Beats Pill 2024 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~56Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 8.6" x 2.8" x 2.8" (219 x 71 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: New Beats Pill 2024: sound demo More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Beats Pill 2024 - first & last impression
- DailyTekk: NEW Beats Pill First Impressions & Sound Test - Worth $149?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beats Pill vs Harman Luna vs Bose Flex vs Soundcore Motion Plus More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Beats Pill (by Apple) 2024 version review vs JBL and Soundcore!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony XB23: $100 eBay
Pros: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass drops off a ton at high levels. Reduces its own volume over time when turned to max
Full Sony XB23 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 8W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3" x 8.6" x 3" (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (580 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Huawei Sound Joy vs Sony xb23 - worse or worser? 🤭
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs XB33 - specs and measurements
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons