Short answer: the Sony XB33 for better sound quality, the JBL Flip 4 for the lower price. The Sony XB33 ranks #59 of 136 medium speakers at $110. The JBL Flip 4 ranks #63 at $70, $40 cheaper.
What the Sony XB33 gets right: IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). The catch: Not very loud.
On the JBL Flip 4 side: Less bass than a Flip 5. Set against that: Battery failures are common.
Buy the Sony XB33 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Flip 4 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony XB33 is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Flip 4.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB33 | JBL Flip 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $110 | $70 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #59 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #63 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | 110ms | 300ms |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 97dB | 92dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg | 1.1 lbs / 510 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 9.7" x 3.8" x 4.2" (246 x 97 x 106 mm) | 6.9" x 2.8" x 2.6" (175 x 70 x 65 mm) |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | 16W RMS |
| Drivers | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| TWS | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- JBL Flip 5 vs Klipsch Nashville
- Sony XB23 vs JBL Charge Essential
- LG Xboom Go PL7 vs Sony XB33
- Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Sony XB33
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony XB33: $110
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.
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.
Full Sony XB33 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 97dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- 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 🤗
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE300 Review And Compared to Sony XB33 - A Muffled Mess
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Mega vs the world! (JBL Charge 5, Bose Flex, Sony XB33, LG PL7) 👍
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB33 vs XB32 vs JBL Charge 4 best £120 bluetooth speaker?
- Alan Ross Reviews: LG Xboom Go PL7 vs JBL Charge 4 and Sony XB33 - best Bluetooth speaker?
- Reddit Search for Sony XB33 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Flip 4: $70 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Less bass than a Flip 5. Peaky lower treble.
Cons: Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.8" x 2.6" (175 x 70 x 65 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs / 510 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3?
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons