Short answer: the JBL Go 4, unless battery life is your priority. It ranks #30 of 62 small portable speakers against #43 for the Sony SRS-XB100, and it costs $13.05 less, so there is little reason to pay more for the Sony on sound quality alone.
Neither speaker has real bass, and the reviews agree on that for both. Our notes call out the Go 4 for having not much bass at all once electronic or bass-heavy tracks get pushed past about half volume, plus a midrange that can sound grainy and a treble that gets sizzly at higher volumes. The XB100’s own notes say much the same: not much bass, and it is described as pretty much the same as its cheaper sibling the XB13, just a touch deeper and less muddy.
Where the Sony pulls ahead is battery and versatility. It is rated for 16 hours against 7 hours for the Go 4, and testers have gotten around 17 hours of real-world use out of it. It can also stereo-pair two units together, something the Go 4 cannot do, and it ships with a clip for attaching to bags or gear.
What the Go 4 has going for it beyond price: an EQ (the XB100 has none), Auracast party mode support, and a companion app, none of which the XB100 offers.
Buy the JBL Go 4 for the lower price, the EQ, and Auracast support, if you can live with short battery life.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB100 if all-day battery life or stereo pairing with a second unit matters more to you than saving $13.05.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 4 | Sony SRS-XB100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.95 | $63.00 |
| Ranked | #30 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #43 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~82Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (190 g) | 0.6 lbs (274 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 3.7” x 3” x 1.7” (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) | 3” x 3.7” (76 x 95 mm) (diameter x height) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Drivers | 45mm | 46mm |
| Amplifier Power | 4.2W | 2.5W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (detachable strap) |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Go 4: