Short answer: the JBL Charge 6, if you are buying new. The JBL Charge 4 ranks higher than the Sony SRS-XE200 (#63 vs #143 of 175 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Charge 6, is rated 4.2/5 at $119.95 and is still sold new.
The JBL Charge 4 is the better-sounding choice. Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony SRS-XE200 lacks. Watch for: 1 Oval driver.
What the Sony SRS-XE200 does well: IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge 4 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 4. The tradeoff: Sounds hollow.
Buy the JBL Charge 6, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Charge 4; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XE200.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 4 | Sony SRS-XE200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $94.99 Discontinued | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #63 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #143 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.7” x 3.7” (220 x 95 x 93 mm) | 3.5” x 8.2” x 3.7” (90 x 208 x 94 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS | 10W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony | Music Center app) |
| EQ | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | No | Yes (included strap) |
| 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
JBL Charge 4: $94.99 Discontinued Amazon $94.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025.
Older models: the JBL Charge 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a JBL Charge 3. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 4 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.7” x 3.7” (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: jbl Charge 4 unboxing first impressions - vs Charge 3 More from alanrossreviews →
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- Alan Ross Reviews: LG Xboom Go PL7 vs JBL Charge 4 and Sony XB33 - best Bluetooth speaker?
- Flossy Carter: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Charge Essential More from FlossyCarter →
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XE200: $99.99 Amazon $99.99 eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 1, ranked higher, rated 3.1/5, released Apr 2024. It drops LDAC. Battery life goes from 16 to 12 hours.
Older models: the Sony XB23 (ranked higher, rated 3.3/5), the Sony SRS-XB20 (ranked higher, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB21 (ranked higher, rated 2.7/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. Can prop up a phone/tablet as a stand. Fast charging (10 min charge = ~70 min playback); Stamina mode extends battery when low.
Cons: Sounds hollow. Very muffled. Rolled off treble, weird midrange boost, just not great overall. Worse than a Sony XB33.
Full Sony SRS-XE200 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 10W |
| App | Yes (Sony | Music Center app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5” x 8.2” x 3.7” (90 x 208 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (included strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: FINALLY! Sony SRS XG300, SRS XE300, & SRS XE200 Are Here. Binaural Sound Samples & First Impressions More from DLXWillington →
- Danny Pops: Sony XE200 XE300 vs Bose Marshall & JBL More from DannyPops →
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment More from GYMCADDY →
- Chrispy Things [EDC]: New Sony XE200 Bluetooth Speaker Sound Test & Review
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