JBL Flip 6 vs Sony XB33

Last updated: October 12, 2026

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 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.

JBL Flip 6 vs Sony XB33

The JBL Flip 6 is the better-sounding, lighter option. A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the JBL Flip 5. At 1.2 lbs (544 g) it weighs much less than the Sony XB33 at 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg). The tradeoff: Some slight upper mids emphasis.

The Sony XB33 is the deeper-bass, longer-running option. IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). Its bass reaches about 50Hz before falling 10dB, against 56Hz for the JBL Flip 6. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Flip 6. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip 6 lacks. The catch: Not very loud.

Buy the JBL Flip 6. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sony XB33 is discontinued, so it is only available used.

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Check JBL Flip 6 price at Woot ($79.95) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Flip 6 Sony XB33
Price$79.95$110 Discontinued
Ranked#13 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#77 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes (Sony Music Connect App)
Aux InputNoNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)56Hz50Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneNo-
EQYes (3 band)Yes (3 band)
IP RatingIP67IP67
Bluetooth Latency116ms110ms
Maximum SPL98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers)
Power BankNoYes (USB-A)
StereoNoYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight1.2 lbs (544 g)2.4 lbs (1.1 kg)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBCSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Version5.15.0
Dimensions6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm)9.7” x 3.8” x 4.2” (246 x 97 x 106 mm)
Drivers44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Amplifier Power30W16W RMS
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapYes (built-in loop)-
Lights-Yes
Check JBL Flip 6 price at Woot ($79.95) →

How JBL Flip 6 compares with other leading options:

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

JBL Flip 6 ranking card

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 →

ReleasedSep 2021 (5 years ago)
Amplifier Power30W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)56Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBC
Bluetooth Latency116ms
Bluetooth Version5.1
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm)
Drivers44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter
EQYes (3 band)
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapYes (built-in loop)
TWSYes
Weight1.2 lbs (544 g)
Check current price at Woot ($79.95) →Check current price at Amazon ($114.95) →Search eBay for JBL Flip 6 →

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 →