Bose Soundlink Flex vs Sony XB33

Last updated: October 12, 2026

Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex. It ranks #38 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $159 and is still sold new; the Sony XB33 ranks #77 (rated 3.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony XB33’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 3, is rated 3.4/5 at $208.

Bose Soundlink Flex vs Sony XB33

The Bose Soundlink Flex is the better-sounding, lighter option. IP67 rated; rugged enough to survive drops from several feet and floats. At 1.3 lbs (589 g) it weighs much less than the Sony XB33 at 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg). The catch: Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail.

The Sony XB33 is the deeper-bass, longer-running choice. IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). Its bass reaches about 50Hz before falling 10dB, against 56Hz for the Bose Soundlink Flex. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 12 for the Bose Soundlink Flex. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Bose Soundlink Flex lacks. Watch for: Not very loud.

Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Sony XB33 is no longer sold new.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check Bose Soundlink Flex price at Amazon ($159.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

Bose Soundlink Flex Sony XB33
Price$159.00$110 Discontinued
Ranked#38 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#77 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes (Sony Music Connect App)
Bass Extension (-10dB)56Hz50Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneYes-
EQNoYes (3 band)
IP RatingIP67IP67
Bluetooth Latency33ms110ms
Maximum SPL96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers)
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
StereoNoYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight1.3 lbs (589 g)2.4 lbs (1.1 kg)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth Version4.25.0
Dimensions7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm)9.7” x 3.8” x 4.2” (246 x 97 x 106 mm)
Drivers1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC, AAC, LDAC
Aux InputNoNo
StrapYes (built-in loop)-
Power Bank-Yes (USB-A)
Amplifier Power-16W RMS
Lights-Yes
Check Bose Soundlink Flex price at Amazon ($159.00) →

Watch Them Compared

Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.

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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 ranking card

Newer model: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5, released Sep 2024. It adds adjustable EQ, AAC and aptX Adaptive. See every Bose SoundLink Flex, Micro, Max and Plus generation.

Pros: IP67 rated; rugged enough to survive drops from several feet and floats. Around 12 hours of battery at moderate volume. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail

Featured on:

Full Bose Soundlink Flex review and specifications →

ReleasedOct 2021 (5 years ago)
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)56Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency33ms
Bluetooth Version4.2
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm)
Drivers1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators
EQNo
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapYes (built-in loop)
TWSYes
Weight1.3 lbs (589 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($159.00) →Search eBay for Bose Soundlink Flex →

Sony XB33: $110 Discontinued eBay

Sony XB33 ranking card

Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Apr 2025.

Older models: the Sony SRS-XB31 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB30 (ranked lower, rated 2.6/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.

Pros: IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). App-controlled color LED lighting, Party Connect links up to 100 speakers. ~19 hour real-world battery without lights. Measured bass extension of 50Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Not very loud. Upper bass peaks, midrange dip, upper midrange peaks, not very neutral. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically. Discontinued.

Full Sony XB33 review and specifications →

ReleasedMay 2020 (6 years ago)
Amplifier Power16W RMS
AppYes (Sony Music Connect App)
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)50Hz
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Latency110ms
Bluetooth Version5.0
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions9.7” x 3.8” x 4.2” (246 x 97 x 106 mm)
Drivers2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators
EQYes (3 band)
IP RatingIP67
LightsYes
Maximum SPL97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
TWSYes
Weight2.4 lbs (1.1 kg)
Search eBay for Sony XB33 →