Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Sony XB33 is the better pick: it ranks #77 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.4/5), against #92 (rated 3.2/5) for the JBL Charge Essential. If you want one new, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE replaces the JBL Charge Essential and is rated 3.7/5 at $199.95.
Why pick the Sony XB33: IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge Essential. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: Not very loud.
The JBL Charge Essential is the lighter option. Doubles as a power bank. At 1.7 lbs (770 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Sony XB33 at 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg). The catch: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
Buy the Sony XB33 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 JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, which replaces the JBL Charge Essential.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB33 | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $110 Discontinued | $73.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #77 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #92 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 110ms | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 9.7” x 3.8” x 4.2” (246 x 97 x 106 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | 20W RMS |
| Drivers | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sony XB33 compares with other leading options:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Sony XB33
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Sony XB33
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Sony XB33
- JBL Charge 6 vs Sony XB33
- JBL Flip 6 vs Sony XB33
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 XB33: $110 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Apr 2025.
Older models: the Sony SRS-XB31 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB30 (ranked lower, rated 2.6/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). App-controlled color LED lighting, Party Connect links up to 100 speakers. ~19 hour real-world battery without lights. Measured bass extension of 50Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not very loud. Upper bass peaks, midrange dip, upper midrange peaks, not very neutral. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically. Discontinued.
Full Sony XB33 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 110ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.7” x 3.8” x 4.2” (246 x 97 x 106 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB33 vs XB32 vs JBL Charge 4 best £120 bluetooth speaker? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs XB33 - specs and measurements
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb33 vs xb43 vs Soundcore Motion Plus speakers test
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Plus and Sony XB33 - ultimate travel speaker 2021 🤗
- Alan Ross Reviews: LG Xboom Go PL7 vs JBL Charge 4 and Sony XB33 - best Bluetooth speaker?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Mega vs the world! (JBL Charge 5, Bose Flex, Sony XB33, LG PL7) 👍
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE300 Review And Compared to Sony XB33 - A Muffled Mess More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Discontinued Amazon $73.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5, released Apr 2026. See every JBL Charge Essential generation.
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential.
Cons: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded JBL Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge Essential review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Flip Essential
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