Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB13, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #36 of 49 small speakers by sound quality, rated 2.8/5, at $78.99; the Sony SRS-XB12 ranks #41, rated 2.5/5, and costs $79, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 49 small speakers, and the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2, ranked #1 at $49.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
What the Sony SRS-XB13 does well: Sony SRS-XB13 uses 46mm. The catch: Bass is limited by its 88Hz specification.
The case for the Sony SRS-XB12: Sony SRS-XB12 uses 46mm. The tradeoff: Bass is limited by its 97Hz specification.
One note: the Sony SRS-XB13 is discontinued and no longer widely available new.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB13. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XB12 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB13 | Sony SRS-XB12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $78.99 Discontinued | $79 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #36 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 88Hz | 97Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| 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 (255 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 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Drivers | 46mm | 46mm |
| Amplifier Power | 5W | 7W |
| Dimensions | 3” x 3.7”H (76 x 95 mm) (diameter) | 2.9” x 3.6”H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 240ms |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony SRS-XB13:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs Sony SRS-XB13
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Sony SRS-XB13
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Sony SRS-XB13
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 vs Sony SRS-XB13
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Sony SRS-XB13
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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
Sony SRS-XB13: $78.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Sony SRS-XB100, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5.
Pros: Sony SRS-XB13 uses 46mm. Its 255 g, claimed 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 88dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A removable strap hangs it from a bag or bike. Measured bass extension of 88Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 88Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Not much bass, and the sound is muddy. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB13 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 5W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 88Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3” x 3.7”H (76 x 95 mm) (diameter) |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (255 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XB12: $79 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony SRS-XB100, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5.
Pros: Sony SRS-XB12 uses 46mm. Its 243 g, claimed 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A detachable strap hangs it from a bag or belt. Measured bass extension of 97Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 97Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Muddy, with little bass and peaky treble. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 7W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 97Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 240ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.9” x 3.6”H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter) |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (243 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB13 vs XB12 - review and full sound test - best small speaker? 🙄 More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: Jbl Go 3 vs Sony XB12 Sound Battle With Sound Sample More from DLXWillington →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB12 vs Soundcore Mini 3 - size matters! bluetooth speakers test!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs JBL Clip
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Sony SRS-XB100
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Xiaomi Sound Pocket
- See all 28 comparisons