Short answer: the Sony XB23 for a more neutral tonal balance, the Beats Pill 2024 for features. The XB23 is described as reasonably neutral rather than bass-heavy, though its bass drops off a ton at high levels. The Pill 2024 adds a USB-C power-bank function but has boosted, somewhat thuddy upper bass, and the two sit almost level at $99.95 and $100.
Buy the Beats Pill 2024, since the Sony XB23 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
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 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #70 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #74 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | No | 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 | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) | 1.3 lbs (580 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 8W RMS |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM 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
Older model: the Beats Pill+ (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5).
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 | Yes |
| 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 |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| 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
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- Beats Pill 2024 vs Sony XB33
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- Beats Pill 2024 vs Sony ULT Field 3
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- See all 78 comparisons
Sony XB23: $100 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 1, ranked lower, rated 3.1/5.
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. Discontinued.
Full Sony XB23 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 8W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| 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