Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB100, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #43 of 63 small speakers by sound quality (rated 2.9/5) at $63 and is still sold new; the Sony SRS-XB12 ranks #53 (rated 2.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 63 small speakers; for better sound, the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 ranks #1 at $35.39.
The XB100 is the current pocket Sony and the slightly better listen. It is a little less muddy than earlier Sony minis, testing found about 17 hours of real battery life, it is rated IP67 with a strap for hanging from a bag, and two units stereo-pair. Bass is still thin, as expected from a 46mm driver.
The XB12 is discontinued and sounds muddier. It shares the 46mm driver size, IP67 rating, strap and 16-hour battery rating, and it reached 93dB in Alan Ross’s test. Its bass falls 10dB by about 97Hz and its treble is peaky. Both support AAC.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB100. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Sony SRS-XB12 is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB100 | Sony SRS-XB12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $63.00 | $79 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #43 of 63 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #53 of 63 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (274 g) | 0.5 lbs (243 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 46mm | 46mm |
| Dimensions | 3” x 3.7” (76 x 95 mm) (diameter x height) | 2.9” x 3.6”H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter) |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Amplifier Power | 2.5W | 7W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 97Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 240ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Sony SRS-XB100: reviews by Danny Pops, CEONTHEMAKING and Storytripper HD.
- Sony SRS-XB12: reviews by Alan Ross and DLX Willington.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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