Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ is the better pick: it ranks #53 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5), against #84 (rated 3.3/5) for the Sony XB23. If you want one new, the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II replaces the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ and is rated 3.6/5 at $299.
The Bose Soundlink Revolve+ is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 10dB, against 67Hz for the Sony XB23. It is rated for 16 hours of battery against 12 for the Sony XB23. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony XB23 lacks. The catch: Overly boosted bass, warm sounding.
The Sony XB23 is the lighter pick. Reasonably neutral. At 1.3 lbs (580 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ at 2 lbs (910 g). It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ lacks. The tradeoff: Bass drops off a ton at high levels.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ 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, buy the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II, which replaces the Bose Soundlink Revolve+.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Revolve+ | Sony XB23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.99 Discontinued | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #53 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #84 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 67Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP55 | IPX4 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2 lbs (0.91 kg) | 1.3 lbs (580 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 91mm fullrange | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 4.1” x 7.2” x 4.1” (105 x 184 x 105 mm) | 3” x 8.6” x 3” (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| EQ | No | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 8W RMS |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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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 Revolve+: $269.99 Discontinued Amazon $269.99 eBay
Newer model: the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5, released Jan 2021. See every Bose SoundLink Revolve generation.
Same family: the Bose Soundlink Revolve (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 3.5/5).
Pros: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand. Built-in carry handle, useful even with wet hands; can hang from a hook via carabiner. ~12 hour battery at medium-high volume. Measured bass extension of 54.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Overly boosted bass, warm sounding. Boosted mids. Rolled off treble. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Revolve+ review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1” x 7.2” x 4.1” (105 x 184 x 105 mm) |
| Drivers | 91mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2 lbs (0.91 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Live Reviews and Q&A! Bose Soundbar, Monoprice Monitors, Bluetooth Speakers and more. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Glow: best budget 360 degree speaker or get the Bose Revolve+? 1 hour of fun!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
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- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Soundcore Glow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs JBL Pulse 5
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Sonos Play
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- See all 73 comparisons
Sony XB23: $100 Discontinued eBay
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 →
| Released | May 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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: Huawei Sound Joy vs Sony xb23 - worse or worser? 🤭 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs XB33 - specs and measurements
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons