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 #112 (rated 2.9/5) for the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom. 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, longer-running choice. IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 10 for the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom. It links with other speakers (Party Connect up to 100 speakers), which the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom lacks. Watch for: Not very loud.
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom is the lighter choice. IP67 rated and floats. At 0.9 lbs (425 g) it weighs much less than the Sony XB33 at 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg). Watch for: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble.
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.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB33 | Ultimate Ears Wonderboom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $110 Discontinued | $79 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #77 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #112 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) | 10 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) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) | 0.9 lbs (425 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Dimensions | 9.7” x 3.8” x 4.2” (246 x 97 x 106 mm) | 4” x 3.7” (102 x 93.5 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | - |
| Drivers | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 1.6” active drivers + 2x 1.8” x 2.6” passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Strap | - | Yes (built-in loop) |
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom: $79 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5, released Jun 2024. See every Ultimate Ears Wonderboom, Boom and Megaboom generation.
Pros: IP67 rated and floats. Compact, light, and simple to use.
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble. Dip at 9kHz. Low mid bass distortion. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued.
Full Ultimate Ears Wonderboom review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2017 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4” x 3.7” (102 x 93.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.6” active drivers + 2x 1.8” x 2.6” passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (425 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Klipsch Groove
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs LG Xboom Grab
- See all 74 comparisons