Short answer: the Sony SRS-XE200, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #143 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 2.5/5) at $99.99 and is still sold new; the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranks #155 (rated 2.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 175 medium speakers, and the EarFun Uboom L, ranked #2 at $49.79, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The Sony SRS-XE200 is the longer-running, tougher choice. IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. It is rated for 16 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2. It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 lacks. Watch for: Sounds hollow.
The Harman Kardon Esquire 2 is the lighter pick. Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. At 0.8 lbs (350 g) it weighs much less than the Sony SRS-XE200 at 1.8 lbs (800 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony SRS-XE200 lacks. Watch for: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume.
Buy the Sony SRS-XE200. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XE200 | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #143 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #155 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 10W | 16W |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) | 0.8 lbs (0.35 kg) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 4.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Dimensions | 3.5” x 8.2” x 3.7” (90 x 208 x 94 mm) | 7.5” x 5.1” x 1.3” (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| App | Yes (Sony | Music Center app) | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (included strap) | - |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| EQ | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sony SRS-XE200 compares with other leading options:
- EarFun Uboom L vs Sony SRS-XE200
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Sony SRS-XE200
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- JBL Charge 6 vs Sony SRS-XE200
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
Sony SRS-XE200: $99.99 Amazon $99.99 eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 1, ranked higher, rated 3.1/5, released Apr 2024. It drops LDAC. Battery life goes from 16 to 12 hours.
Older models: the Sony XB23 (ranked higher, rated 3.3/5), the Sony SRS-XB20 (ranked higher, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB21 (ranked higher, rated 2.7/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. Can prop up a phone/tablet as a stand. Fast charging (10 min charge = ~70 min playback); Stamina mode extends battery when low.
Cons: Sounds hollow. Very muffled. Rolled off treble, weird midrange boost, just not great overall. Worse than a Sony XB33.
Full Sony SRS-XE200 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 10W |
| App | Yes (Sony | Music Center app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5” x 8.2” x 3.7” (90 x 208 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (included strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: FINALLY! Sony SRS XG300, SRS XE300, & SRS XE200 Are Here. Binaural Sound Samples & First Impressions More from DLXWillington →
- Danny Pops: Sony XE200 XE300 vs Bose Marshall & JBL More from DannyPops →
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment More from GYMCADDY →
- Chrispy Things [EDC]: New Sony XE200 Bluetooth Speaker Sound Test & Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs DOSS E-Go II
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs LG Xboom Go PL5
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs LG Xboom XG5
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs Soundcore Flare 2
- See all 90 comparisons
Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Flat, compact design packs easily. USB charge-out for topping off a phone.
Cons: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire 2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 5.1” x 1.3” (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (0.35 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Ultimate Ears Roll 2
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs LG Xboom XG5
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs LG Xboom Go PL5
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Zealot S61
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs W-King D8 Mini
- See all 72 comparisons