Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used, though neither ranks well in its class. Used, the Bose SoundLink Color II is the better pick: it ranks #121 of 164 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 2.7/5), against #127 (rated 2.6/5) for the Sony SRS-XB30. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 164 medium speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Earfun Uboom L instead, ranked #2 at $49.79.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Color II only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Earfun Uboom L instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Color II | Sony SRS-XB30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.00 Discontinued | $199 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #121 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #127 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (600 g) | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 5” x 2.2” (132 x 127 x 56 mm) | 9” x 3.2” x 3.4” (228 x 82 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers | 2x 48mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| EQ | No | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 55Hz |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Bose SoundLink Color II:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Bose SoundLink Color II
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- JBL Flip 6 vs Bose SoundLink Color II
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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
Bose SoundLink Color II: $139.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. IPX4 splashproof. Supports multipoint pairing to two devices at once.
Cons: Boosted bass on Color II. Not as deep of bass as other models. Lacking midrange detail. Rolled off treble. Discontinued.
Full Bose SoundLink Color II review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 5” x 2.2” (132 x 127 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Marshall Emberton III
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Marshall Emberton II
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Cabasse Swell
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Tribit Stormbox
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Sony SRS-XE300
- See all 74 comparisons
Sony SRS-XB30: $199 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5.
Pros: A compact 1kg portable with IPX5 splash protection, aux input, LDAC/AAC support, Sony’s app, speakerphone capability, power-bank output, stereo pairing and Party Chain linking. It reaches a useful 95dB maximum level and has a claimed 24-hour battery life at moderate volume, making it a convenient older outdoor option. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Independent lab listening rates music fidelity only fair: bass has impact but is boomy and lacks the deepest notes, while the midrange can sound hazy, muffled and grainy. Its micro-USB charging and older Bluetooth 4.2 platform now feel dated, so it is best considered for features and used-market value rather than sound quality. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB30 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9” x 3.2” x 3.4” (228 x 82 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Soundcore Flare 2
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- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Marshall Emberton III
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- See all 89 comparisons