Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used, though neither ranks well in its class. Used, the Sony SRS-XE300 is the better pick: it ranks #118 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 2.8/5), against #134 (rated 2.6/5) for the Soundcore Flare 2. If you want one new, the Sony ULT Field 3 replaces the Sony SRS-XE300 and is rated 3.4/5 at $208. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 175 medium speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the EarFun Uboom L instead, ranked #2 at $49.79.
The Sony SRS-XE300 is the longer-running choice. Orientation-aware playback switches to stereo when laid flat. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 12 for the Soundcore Flare 2. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Soundcore Flare 2 lacks. The catch: Muffled sounding, not very deep bass.
The Soundcore Flare 2 is the lighter choice. Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. At 1.3 lbs (600 g) it weighs much less than the Sony SRS-XE300 at 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg). Watch for: Rolled off treble.
Buy the Sony SRS-XE300 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Sony ULT Field 3, which replaces the Sony SRS-XE300.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XE300 | Soundcore Flare 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $94.99 Discontinued | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #118 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 175 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 (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Dimensions | 9.4” x 4.1” x 4.7” (238 x 105 x 119 mm) | 3.5” x 3.5” x 6.3” (89 x 89 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 49x71mm X-Balanced speaker units + 2x passive radiators | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 16W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 56Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sony SRS-XE300 compares with other leading options:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Sony SRS-XE300
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Sony SRS-XE300
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Sony SRS-XE300
- JBL Charge 6 vs Sony SRS-XE300
- JBL Flip 6 vs Sony SRS-XE300
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-XE300: $94.99 Discontinued Amazon $94.99 eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Apr 2025. It adds power bank charging.
Older models: the Sony XB33 (ranked higher, rated 3.4/5), the Sony SRS-XB31 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB30 (ranked lower, rated 2.6/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
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. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XE300 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| 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) |
- 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 XE300 Review And Compared to Sony XB33 - A Muffled Mess More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 5 Vs Sony XE300 - How Can You Mess Up This Bad?
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XE300 vs JBL Charge 5 More from NewStuffTV1 →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs DBSONO X-Blast F37
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Tribit Stormbox
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Klipsch Groove
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom
- See all 73 comparisons
Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5” x 3.5” x 6.3” (89 x 89 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart T6 Plus upgraded edition vs Anker Motion Plus and Flare 2 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Mifa Wild camping Lantern portable bluetooth speaker reviewed by an old geezer!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Flare 2 - mega 360 degree speaker shootout!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Glow: best budget 360 degree speaker or get the Bose Revolve+? 1 hour of fun!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XB30
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- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
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- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- See all 74 comparisons