Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB100 for better sound quality, the JBL Clip for the lower price. The Sony SRS-XB100 ranks #33 of 47 small speakers at $63. The JBL Clip ranks #35 at $50, $13 cheaper.
On the Sony SRS-XB100 side: Long real-world battery life (~17 hours in testing). Set against that: Not much bass.
What the JBL Clip offers: Very compact and light (5.3 oz) with an integrated carabiner. Watch for: Quite a lack of bass.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB100 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Clip if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XB100 is rated for 16 hours versus 5 hours for the JBL Clip.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sony SRS-XB100 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Clip at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB100 | JBL Clip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $63.00 | $50 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #33 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #35 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Wall Wart |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 274 g | 0.3 lbs / 158 g |
| Aux Input | No | Yes (integrated 3.5mm cable) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Drivers | 46mm | 1.57" (40mm) driver |
| Dimensions | 3" x 3.7" (76 x 95 mm) (diameter x height) | 5.4" x 3.8" x 1.8" (137.2 x 96.5 x 45.7 mm) (Clip 3, original JBL Clip dimensions not available) |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours | - |
| Output Power | 2.5W | 7W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~95Hz |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Go 5 vs Sony SRS-XB13
- JBL Clip 4 vs JBL Clip 3
- JBL Go 4 vs Sony SRS-XB13
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs JBL Clip 3
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XB100: $63.00 Amazon
Pros: Long real-world battery life (~17 hours in testing). IP67 rated and pocketable at 267g, with a clip for bags/gear. Can stereo-pair two units.
Cons: Not much bass. Seems pretty much the same as the XB13, maybe a teeny bit deeper bass and a little less muddy.
Full Sony SRS-XB100 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3" x 3.7" (76 x 95 mm) (diameter x height) |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 2.5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 274 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- CEONTHEMAKING: BATTLE Of The Compact Speakers Sony SRS-XB100 VS JBL Clip 4!
- Flossy Carter: Sony SRS-XB100 - Small Speaker, Huge Sound
- Danny Pops: Agreeable Gray? - The Sony XB100 is almost the same as the XB13
- Storytripper HD: JBL GO 4 vs TRIBIT MICRO 2 vs KLIPSCH AUSTIN vs SONY SRS-XB100
- Reddit Search for Sony SRS-XB100 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Clip: $50 Discontinued
Pros: Very compact and light (5.3 oz) with an integrated carabiner. Has its own built-in 3.5mm aux cable, so you don’t need to carry one separately.
Cons: Quite a lack of bass. Mids are a little hollow. Discontinued.
Full JBL Clip review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (integrated 3.5mm cable) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~95Hz |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.4" x 3.8" x 1.8" (137.2 x 96.5 x 45.7 mm) (Clip 3, original JBL Clip dimensions not available) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1.57" (40mm) driver |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 7W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Wall Wart |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs / 158 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons