Short answer: the XB33, by a small margin. It ranks #73 of 178 medium speakers at $110; the XB23 ranks #82 at $100, five places and $10 apart. The Sony XB23 has been replaced by the Sony ULT Field 1. The Sony XB33 has been replaced by the Sony ULT Field 3. If you are buying new, get the Sony ULT Field 3.
Both share a strange Sony quirk. Neither speaker will hold its own maximum volume: the XB23’s cons note it reduces its own volume over time at max, and the XB33 has the same self-limiting behavior. If you buy either expecting to run it flat out, be aware it’s designed not to let you.
The XB33 adds lighting and a bigger pairing network. App-controlled LED lighting and Sony’s Party Connect, which links up to 100 speakers, are both absent from the XB23. Real-world battery life is also claimed at around 19 hours without the lights running, against the XB23’s 12-hour rating.
The XB23 is described as the more neutral of the two. Its cons are narrower: bass that drops off noticeably at high volume, where the XB33’s cons list broader tonal issues including upper bass peaks and a midrange dip.
Buy the XB33 for the lighting, the longer battery claim, and the slightly higher ranking. Buy the XB23 if a flatter tonal balance matters more to you than either.
Battery life favors the Sony XB33: rated for 24 hours against 12 hours for the Sony XB23.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A compact waterproof stereo speaker with a strap hook for backpacks and linking with many more speakers.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB23 | Sony XB33 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 Discontinued | $110 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #82 of 178 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #73 of 178 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (580 g) | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 3” x 8.6” x 3” (76 x 218 x 76 mm) | 9.7” x 3.8” x 4.2” (246 x 97 x 106 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 8W RMS | 16W RMS |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) | Yes (3 band) |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 110ms |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Watch Them Compared
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