Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Sony XB23 is the better pick: it ranks #84 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.3/5), against #125 (rated 2.7/5) for the Bose SoundLink Color II. If you want one new, the Sony ULT Field 1 replaces the Sony XB23 and is rated 3.1/5 at $138.
The Sony XB23 is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. Reasonably neutral. It is rated for 12 hours of battery against 8 for the Bose SoundLink Color II. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Bose SoundLink Color II lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Bose SoundLink Color II lacks. The tradeoff: Bass drops off a ton at high levels.
What the Bose SoundLink Color II does well: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. The tradeoff: Boosted bass on Color II.
Buy the Sony XB23 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 1, which replaces the Sony XB23.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB23 | Bose SoundLink Color II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 Discontinued | $139.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #84 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #125 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| 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) |
| Amplifier Power | 8W RMS | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC |
| 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 |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
| Power Bank | - | No |
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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 XB23: $100 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 1, ranked lower, rated 3.1/5, released Apr 2024.
Older models: the Sony SRS-XB20 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB21 (ranked lower, rated 2.7/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass drops off a ton at high levels. Reduces its own volume over time when turned to max. Discontinued.
Full Sony XB23 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 8W RMS |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (580 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Huawei Sound Joy vs Sony xb23 - worse or worser? 🤭 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs XB33 - specs and measurements
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bose SoundLink Color II: $139.00 Discontinued Amazon $139.00 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 →
| Released | May 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| 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) |
| 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
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Marshall Emberton III
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- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Cabasse Swell
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Tribit Stormbox
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Sony SRS-XE300
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