Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 1 for better sound quality, the W-King D8 Mini for the lower price. The Sony XB23 ranks higher than the W-King D8 Mini (#84 vs #135 of 175 medium speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the Sony ULT Field 1, is rated 3.1/5 at $138; the W-King D8 Mini is rated 2.6/5 at $49.99, $88.01 cheaper.
The Sony XB23 is the better-sounding, lighter option. Reasonably neutral. At 1.3 lbs (580 g) it weighs much less than the W-King D8 Mini at 2.8 lbs (1.26 kg). The catch: Bass drops off a ton at high levels.
The W-King D8 Mini is the louder, longer-running option. 30W output with switchable indoor/outdoor EQ modes. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 100dB at full volume, against 95dB for the Sony XB23. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 12 for the Sony XB23. It is rated IPX6 against IPX4 for the Sony XB23. The tradeoff: Recessed midrange, harsh treble.
Buy the W-King D8 Mini if price matters most. For better sound quality, the Sony ULT Field 1, the replacement for the discontinued Sony XB23, is rated higher but costs $138.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB23 | W-King D8 Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 Discontinued | $49.99 |
| Ranked | #84 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #135 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (580 g) | 2.8 lbs (1260 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 3” x 8.6” x 3” (76 x 218 x 76 mm) | 9.9” x 3.7” x 3.7” (251 x 94 x 94 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 8W RMS | 30W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) | Yes (2 modes - Indoor/Outdoor) |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | No |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 30mm tweeters |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
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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
W-King D8 Mini: $49.99 W-King $49.99 eBay
Pros: 30W output with switchable indoor/outdoor EQ modes. IPX6 rated with a 5000mAh battery. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Recessed midrange, harsh treble. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others.
Full W-King D8 Mini review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.9” x 3.7” x 3.7” (251 x 94 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 30mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (2 modes - Indoor/Outdoor) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs (1260 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- W-King D8 Mini vs B&O Beosound Explore
- W-King D8 Mini vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- W-King D8 Mini vs Marshall Emberton II
- W-King D8 Mini vs Sony SRS-XE200
- See all 97 comparisons