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 Zealot S61 ranks #172 (rated 2.0/5) 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 better-sounding pick. IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Zealot S61. The catch: Sounds hollow.
The Zealot S61 is the longer-running choice. 20W output, IPX7 waterproof, exceptional 40-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.2, TWS stereo pairing, compact 1.5 lbs (665 g) design, single full-range driver, built-in microphone, AUX input, USB-C charging. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 16 for the Sony SRS-XE200. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony SRS-XE200 lacks. Watch for: Sounds like a soup can, no bass at all.
Buy the Sony SRS-XE200. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Zealot S61 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XE200 | Zealot S61 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $20 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #143 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #172 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 10W | 20W |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) | 1.5 lbs (665 g) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Dimensions | 3.5” x 8.2” x 3.7” (90 x 208 x 94 mm) | 4.1” x 4.1” x 6.7” (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators | 66mm full-range |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No (single full-range driver) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| App | Yes (Sony | Music Center app) | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (included strap) | - |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony SRS-XE200:
- 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
Zealot S61: $20 Discontinued eBay
Pros: 20W output, IPX7 waterproof, exceptional 40-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.2, TWS stereo pairing, compact 665g design, single full-range driver, built-in microphone, AUX input, USB-C charging
Cons: Sounds like a soup can, no bass at all. Weird frequency response all over. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Zealot S61 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1” x 4.1” x 6.7” (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 66mm full-range |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No (single full-range driver) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (665 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons