Short answer: the Sony XB23. It ranks #64 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $100; the Bose SoundLink Color II ranks #98 and costs $107.15, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Sony XB23 offers: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life. Watch for: Bass drops off a ton at high levels. Reduces its own volume over time when turned to max
What the Bose SoundLink Color II offers: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. IPX4 splashproof. Supports multipoint pairing to two devices at once. Watch for: Boosted bass on Color II. Not as deep of bass as other models. Lacking midrange detail. Rolled off treble
Buy the Sony XB23. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose SoundLink Color II and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB23 | Bose SoundLink Color II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 | $107.15 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #64 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #98 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 95dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 580 g | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 3" x 8.6" x 3" (76 x 218 x 76 mm) | 5.2" x 5" x 2.2" (132 x 127 x 56 mm) |
| Output Power | 8W RMS | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) | No |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | Yes (Bose Connect) |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 40mm full-range drivers |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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 XB23: $100 eBay
Pros: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life.
Cons: Bass drops off a ton at high levels. Reduces its own volume over time when turned to max
Full Sony XB23 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3" x 8.6" x 3" (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 95dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 8W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 580 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Reddit Search for Sony XB23 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bose SoundLink Color II: $107.15 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. IPX4 splashproof. Supports multipoint pairing to two devices at once.
Cons: Boosted bass on Color II. Not as deep of bass as other models. Lacking midrange detail. Rolled off treble. Discontinued.
Full Bose SoundLink Color II review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 5" x 2.2" (132 x 127 x 56 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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