Short answer: the Beats Pill 2024. It ranks #61 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $99.95; the Sony XB23 ranks #64 and costs $100, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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 there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Beats Pill 2024 is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the Sony XB23.
If water resistance matters to you, the Beats Pill 2024 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Sony XB23 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Beats Pill 2024 | Sony XB23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.95 | $100 |
| Ranked | #61 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #64 of 136 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 |
| Max Volume | - | 95dB |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Output Power | - | 8W RMS |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Sony XB33 vs JBL Flip 5
- JBL Flip 4 vs JBL Flip Essential
- Klipsch Nashville vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Minirig Mini 2 vs Sony XB23
- Sony XB23 vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
The Two Speakers In Full
Beats Pill 2024: $99.95 Amazon
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.
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 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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: New Beats Pill 2024: sound demo
- 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
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Beats Pill (by Apple) 2024 version review vs JBL and Soundcore!
- Reddit Search for Beats Pill 2024 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony XB23: $100
Pros: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life.
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 →
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 95dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 8W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 580 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- 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
- Reddit Search for Sony XB23 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons