Short answer: the Sony SRS-XE300 for better sound quality, the Sony SRS-XB20 for the lower price. The Sony SRS-XE300 ranks #92 of 136 medium speakers at $137. The Sony SRS-XB20 ranks #94 at $129, $8 cheaper.
What the Sony SRS-XE300 gets right: IP67 rated. The catch: Muffled sounding, not very deep bass.
The case for the Sony SRS-XB20: IPX5 rated pill shape slides easily into a bag. The tradeoff: Sounds thin at higher volumes.
Buy the Sony SRS-XE300 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Sony SRS-XB20 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XE300 is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the Sony SRS-XB20.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XE300 | Sony SRS-XB20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $137 | $129 |
| Ranked | #92 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #94 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg | 1.3 lbs / 590 g |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Dimensions | 9.4" x 4.1" x 4.7" (238 x 105 x 119 mm) | 7.8" x 2.7" x 2.7" (198 x 68 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 49x71mm X-Balanced speaker units + 2x passive radiators | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | Yes (SongPal) |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 16W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XE300: $137 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated. Orientation-aware playback switches to stereo when laid flat. Party Connect links up to 100 speakers; fast charging (10 min charge = ~70 min playback).
Cons: Muffled sounding, not very deep bass. Hollow sounding. Worse than a XB43
Full Sony SRS-XE300 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.4" x 4.1" x 4.7" (238 x 105 x 119 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 49x71mm X-Balanced speaker units + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- GYMCADDY: Sony XE300 Review And Compared to Sony XB33 - A Muffled Mess
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 5 Vs Sony XE300 - How Can You Mess Up This Bad?
- Reddit Search for Sony SRS-XE300 Review
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Sony SRS-XB20: $129
Pros: IPX5 rated pill shape slides easily into a bag. 12 hour battery life.
Cons: Sounds thin at higher volumes. Bass falls away quickly.
Full Sony SRS-XB20 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (SongPal) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8" x 2.7" x 2.7" (198 x 68 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons