Short answer: the JBL Flip 4. It ranks #63 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $70; the Sony SRS-XB20 ranks #94 and costs $129, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Flip 4 offers: Less bass than a Flip 5. Peaky lower treble. Watch for: Battery failures are common.
What the Sony SRS-XB20 offers: IPX5 rated pill shape slides easily into a bag. 12 hour battery life. Watch for: Sounds thin at higher volumes. Bass falls away quickly.
Buy the JBL Flip 4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XB20 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 4 | Sony SRS-XB20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70 Discontinued | $129 |
| Ranked | #63 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #94 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs / 510 g | 1.3 lbs / 590 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.8" x 2.6" (175 x 70 x 65 mm) | 7.8" x 2.7" x 2.7" (198 x 68 x 69 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | 20W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Max Volume | 92dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| App | - | Yes (SongPal) |
| EQ | - | No |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Flip 5
- Sony XB23 vs JBL Grip
- Minirig Mini 2 vs Sony XB23
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- W-King D320 vs Sony SRS-XB20
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip 4: $70 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Less bass than a Flip 5. Peaky lower treble.
Cons: Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.8" x 2.6" (175 x 70 x 65 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs / 510 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2 More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XB20: $129 eBay
Pros: IPX5 rated pill shape slides easily into a bag. 12 hour battery life.
Cons: Sounds thin at higher volumes. Bass falls away quickly.
Full Sony SRS-XB20 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (SongPal) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8" x 2.7" x 2.7" (198 x 68 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Tribit Stormbox
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Sony SRS-XE300
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Marshall Emberton III
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- See all 73 comparisons