Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #13 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.2/5) at $79.95 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.
The JBL Flip 6 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the JBL Flip 5. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 10dB, against 67Hz for the Sony XB23. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 98dB at full volume, against 95dB for the Sony XB23. It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the Sony XB23. Watch for: Some slight upper mids emphasis.
What the Sony XB23 does well: Reasonably neutral. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip 6 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Flip 6. Watch for: Bass drops off a ton at high levels.
Buy the JBL Flip 6. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sony XB23 is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 6 | Sony XB23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.95 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #13 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #84 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (544 g) | 1.3 lbs (580 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm) | 3” x 8.6” x 3” (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 8W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (detachable strap) |
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- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Flip 6
- JBL Flip 6 vs Minirig 4
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 Flip 6: $79.95 Amazon $114.95 Woot $79.95 Lowest eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked lower, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025. It adds USB audio input, but drops stereo pairing. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.
Older models: the JBL Flip 5 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5) and the JBL Flip 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5). See every JBL Flip generation.
Pros: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the JBL Flip 5. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Some slight upper mids emphasis. The TL version (made in Vietnam) tweeter can sound somewhat scratchy and doesn’t sound as good as the GG version (made in China)
Full JBL Flip 6 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (544 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best? More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 7 is screech-fest heaven! vs Flip 6! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs Maxsound Plus and Soundcore Boost - ultimate travel speaker!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Mifa WildRod Review and new firmware comparison vs JBL Flip 6 - things got interesting 👀
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs Marshall Emberton review - mono or pseudo surround sound? 🤷♀️
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex or JBL Flip 6 (eq adjusted) or Denon Envaya - best speaker for travel!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex Review! vs JBL Flip 6 and JBL Charge 5. Travel heaven?? 🤞
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion 300 or JBL Flip 6 or Soundcore Boost v2? we all have issues!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge 4 and JBL Charge 3 - small one or a large one? 🤷♂️
- Alan Ross Reviews: Huawei sound joy vs JBL Charge 5 and Flip 6 - top mono speaker! 🤓
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Beats Pill (by Apple) 2024 version review vs JBL and Soundcore!
- Techder Audios: JBL Flip 6 Martin Garrix Edition VS Wisetiger P3 "PRICEY VS REAL CHEAP?!" More from techderaudios →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Flip 6 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 (Indoor Mode)⚔️ Battle of the Handheld Bluetooth Speakers. More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- CEONTHEMAKING: Earfun Uboom L - This Speaker Replaced My JBL Flip 6… More from CEONTHEMAKING →
- Storytripper HD: Huawei Sound Joy 2 vs JBL Flip 6 vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor More from storytripperhd →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Flip 7 Review - Is It Worth Upgrading Over The JBL Flip 6 Or Flip 5? More from GYMCADDY →
- FishBee Product Reviews: Xiaomi Mi Sound Outdoor 30W Speaker vs JBL Flip 6 - CRAZY GOOD! More from FishBee Product Reviews →
- New Stuff TV 2: Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Flip 6, JBL Charge 5 & Soundcore Motion 300 More from NewStuffTV1 →
- SpeakerBlowUpMan Lee: Broke Man’s JBL Flip 6! Miatone Boompro Bluetooth Speaker Review
- Audio y Mas 🔊: Altavoces JBL Flip 6 vs W-King D320: ¿Cuál es el mejor en calidad de sonido? 🔊
- Daniel Pérez: Tronsmart T7 vs JBL Flip 6
- Luan Tech: JBL FLIP 6 vs LG XBOOM XG5 COMPARATIVO COMPLETO!
- Audio 503: Tronsmart T7 Lite (24w) vs JBL Flip 6 (30w)
- AudioPro Reviews: Tronsmart Mirtune C3 vs JBL Flip 6
- Chrispy Things [EDC]: JBL Flip 7: My thoughts & sound test VS the Flip 6!
- AudioTribe: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Flip Essential 2 FULL TEARDOWN in Just 15 Minutes!
- AudioPro Reviews: Tronsmart T8 vs JBL Flip 6 | Which one sounds BETTER?
- HQ AUDIO Exchange: JBL Flip Essential 2 vs. Flip 6 | Bass Sound Test!
- Speaker Fan: JBL Flip 6 VS JBL Flip Essential 2 VS JBL Grip Loudness Test - Which Is Louder?
- Head-to-Head 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