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 #172 (rated 2.0/5) for the Zealot S61. 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 choice. Reasonably neutral. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Zealot S61 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Zealot S61. The tradeoff: Bass drops off a ton at high levels.
The Zealot S61 is the longer-running, tougher pick. 20W output, IPX7 waterproof, exceptional 40-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.2, TWS stereo pairing, compact 1.5 lbs (665 g) design, single full-range driver, built-in microphone, AUX input, USB-C charging. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 12 for the Sony XB23. It is rated IPX7 against IPX4 for the Sony XB23. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony XB23 lacks. The tradeoff: Sounds like a soup can, no bass at all.
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.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB23 | Zealot S61 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 Discontinued | $20 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #84 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #172 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (580 g) | 1.5 lbs (665 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 3” x 8.6” x 3” (76 x 218 x 76 mm) | 4.1” x 4.1” x 6.7” (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 8W RMS | 20W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) | No |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | No |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators | 66mm full-range |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No (single full-range driver) |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
| Power Bank | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sony XB23 compares with other leading options:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Sony XB23
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Sony XB23
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Sony XB23
- Minirig 4 vs Sony XB23
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Sony XB23
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
Zealot S61: $20 Discontinued eBay
Pros: 20W output, IPX7 waterproof, exceptional 40-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.2, TWS stereo pairing, compact 665g design, single full-range driver, built-in microphone, AUX input, USB-C charging
Cons: Sounds like a soup can, no bass at all. Weird frequency response all over. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Zealot S61 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1” x 4.1” x 6.7” (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 66mm full-range |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No (single full-range driver) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (665 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons