Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Sony XB23

Last updated: October 12, 2026

Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It ranks #37 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $99.99 and is still sold new; the Sony XB23 ranks #84 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony XB23’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 1, is rated 3.1/5 at $138.

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Sony XB23

The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen is the better-sounding, tougher pick. A very portable 1.3 lbs (586 g), IP67-rated speaker with a clear, well-balanced midrange that keeps voices and instruments intelligible. It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the Sony XB23. The tradeoff: One Flex remains mono and cannot deliver genuine low-bass rumble; RTINGS also found the elevated treble can turn hi-hats and other high-frequency detail piercing.

Why pick the Sony XB23: Reasonably neutral. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. The catch: Bass drops off a ton at high levels.

Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sony XB23 is discontinued.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen price at Amazon ($99.99) →

Specifications Side By Side

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen Sony XB23
Price$99.99$100 Discontinued
Ranked#37 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#84 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes (Sony Music Center)
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneYesYes
EQYes (3 band)Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble)
IP RatingIP67IPX4
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers)
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
StereoNoYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight1.3 lbs (586 g)1.3 lbs (580 g)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth Version5.35.0
Dimensions7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm)3” x 8.6” x 3” (76 x 218 x 76 mm)
Aux InputNoNo
Drivers60mm full-range driver with passive radiators2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX AdaptiveSBC, AAC, LDAC
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapYes (built-in loop)Yes (detachable strap)
Bass Extension (-10dB)-67Hz
Maximum SPL-95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Amplifier Power-8W RMS
Check Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen price at Amazon ($99.99) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen:

Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 Flex 2nd gen ranking card

Older model: the Bose Soundlink Flex (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5). See every Bose SoundLink Flex, Micro, Max and Plus generation.

Same family: the Bose SoundLink Max (larger model, rated 4.3/5), the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 (larger model, rated 3.6/5) and the Bose SoundLink Plus (larger model, rated 4.2/5).

Pros: A very portable 586g, IP67-rated speaker with a clear, well-balanced midrange that keeps voices and instruments intelligible. The second generation adds a Bose app with 3-band EQ, better-placed controls and stereo pairing with another Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It supports AAC and aptX Adaptive in addition to SBC, making it a stronger wireless option than most small rivals.

Cons: One Flex remains mono and cannot deliver genuine low-bass rumble; RTINGS also found the elevated treble can turn hi-hats and other high-frequency detail piercing. The claimed battery life is only 12 hours, and some owners report accelerated standby drain after firmware updates. It is expensive for its size, so the added app and codec support, not a transformational sound upgrade over the original, are the main reasons to choose it.

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Full Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen review and specifications →

ReleasedSep 2024 (2 years ago)
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm)
Drivers60mm full-range driver with passive radiators
EQYes (3 band)
IP RatingIP67
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapYes (built-in loop)
TWSYes
Weight1.3 lbs (586 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($99.99) →Search eBay for Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen →

Sony XB23: $100 Discontinued eBay

Sony XB23 ranking card

Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 1, ranked lower, rated 3.1/5, released Apr 2024.

Older models: the Sony SRS-XB20 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB21 (ranked lower, rated 2.7/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.

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 →

ReleasedMay 2020 (6 years ago)
Amplifier Power8W RMS
AppYes (Sony Music Center)
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)67Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Version5.0
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions3” x 8.6” x 3” (76 x 218 x 76 mm)
Drivers2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators
EQYes (3-band: bass, mid, treble)
IP RatingIPX4
Maximum SPL95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
StrapYes (detachable strap)
TWSYes
Weight1.3 lbs (580 g)
Search eBay for Sony XB23 →