Short answer: the Sony SRS-XE200. It ranks #111 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $69.99; the LG Xboom XG5 ranks #115 and costs $99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Sony SRS-XE200: IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. The tradeoff: Sounds hollow.
On the LG Xboom XG5 side: IP67 rated. Set against that: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble.
Buy the Sony SRS-XE200. It ranks higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom XG5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 136 medium speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XE200 | LG Xboom XG5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.99 | $99.00 |
| Ranked | #111 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #115 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC |
| Dimensions | 3.5" x 8.2" x 3.7" (90 x 208 x 94 mm) | 8.7" x 3.3" x 3.1" (222 x 83 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Output Power | - | 20W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
- Tribit Stormbox Mini vs Harman Kardon Esquire 2
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- JBL Flip 6 vs LG Xboom XG5
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XE200: $69.99 Amazon
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 XB33.
Full Sony SRS-XE200 review and specifications →
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
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LG Xboom XG5: $99.00 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated. 18 hour battery life (~17 hrs confirmed in testing) with fast USB-C charging. Wireless Party Link connects up to 10 speakers.
Cons: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble. Not very good sounding
Full LG Xboom XG5 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.3" x 3.1" (222 x 83 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons