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 #148 (rated 2.4/5) for the Tribit Stormbox Mini. If you want one new, the Sony ULT Field 3 replaces the Sony XB33 and is rated 3.4/5 at $208.
The Sony XB33 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). Its bass reaches about 50Hz before falling 10dB, against 85Hz for the Tribit Stormbox Mini. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 12 for the Tribit Stormbox Mini. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Tribit Stormbox Mini lacks. The catch: Not very loud.
The Tribit Stormbox Mini is the lighter pick. IPX7 waterproof, excellent battery life (12 hours), RGB LED lighting, app support with AAC codec, true wireless stereo (TWS) capability, USB-C charging. At 1.6 lbs (708 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Sony XB33 at 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony XB33 lacks. The catch: Lacking quite a bit of bass.
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 Sony ULT Field 3, which replaces the Sony XB33.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB33 | Tribit Stormbox Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $110 Discontinued | $23 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #77 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #148 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz | ~85Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC |
| 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) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) | 1.6 lbs (708 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 9.7” x 3.8” x 4.2” (246 x 97 x 106 mm) | 3.6” x 3.6” x 4.7” (91 x 91 x 119 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | 12W |
| Drivers | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 48mm 6W full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Sony XB33
- JBL Charge 6 vs Sony XB33
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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 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
Tribit Stormbox Mini: $23 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Tribit Stormbox Mini+, ranked higher, rated 2.5/5, released Jul 2025. It adds app control and adjustable EQ. See every Tribit Stormbox Mini generation.
Pros: IPX7 waterproof, excellent battery life (12 hours), RGB LED lighting, app support with AAC codec, true wireless stereo (TWS) capability, USB-C charging. Measured bass extension of ~85Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Lacking quite a bit of bass. Sounds hollow and thuddy. Just not great overall. Discontinued; Tribit has retired it, superseded by the Tribit Stormbox Mini+.
Full Tribit Stormbox Mini review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 12W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~85Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.6” x 3.6” x 4.7” (91 x 91 x 119 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm 6W full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs (708 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Dominik Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Mini - 30$ hit or miss? vs Tribit Micro 2 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Mini - Bluetooth Speaker Review 🥴Did Tribit Miss the Mark 🎯 On This One?🤔 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Storytripper HD: Tribit Micro 2 vs Tribit STormBox 2 vs Tribit StormBox Mini More from storytripperhd →
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