Short answer: the Soundcore 2. It ranks #106 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.0/5) at $29.99 and is still sold new; the Sony SRS-XE300 ranks #118 (rated 2.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony SRS-XE300’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 3, is rated 3.4/5 at $208.
The Soundcore 2 is the lighter choice. At 0.7 lbs (318 g) it weighs much less than the Sony SRS-XE300 at 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony SRS-XE300 lacks.
What the Sony SRS-XE300 does well: Orientation-aware playback switches to stereo when laid flat. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Soundcore 2 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Soundcore 2 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: Muffled sounding, not very deep bass.
Buy the Soundcore 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sony SRS-XE300 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 2 | Sony SRS-XE300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.99 | $94.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #106 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #118 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (318 g) | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm fullrange | 2x 49x71mm X-Balanced speaker units + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 6.6” x 1.9” x 2.2” (168 x 47 x 56 mm) | 9.4” x 4.1” x 4.7” (238 x 105 x 119 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 12W | 16W |
| App | No | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (via app) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
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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
Soundcore 2: $29.99 Amazon $29.99 eBay
Newer model: the Soundcore 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Jan 2021. It adds app control and adjustable EQ, but drops the aux input. See every Soundcore 2 and 3 generation.
Pros: Soundcore 2 uses 2x 38mm fullrange. Its 318 g, claimed 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX7 protection, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: Its 70Hz to 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification points to limited deep-bass reach for the cabinet size. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment.
Full Soundcore 2 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 12W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.6” x 1.9” x 2.2” (168 x 47 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (318 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Sony SRS-XE300: $94.99 Discontinued Amazon $94.99 eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Apr 2025. It adds power bank charging.
Older models: the Sony XB33 (ranked higher, rated 3.4/5), 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. Orientation-aware playback switches to stereo when laid flat. Party Connect links up to 100 speakers; fast charging (10 min charge = ~70 min playback).
Cons: Muffled sounding, not very deep bass. Hollow sounding. Worse than a XB43. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XE300 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.4” x 4.1” x 4.7” (238 x 105 x 119 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 49x71mm X-Balanced speaker units + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: FINALLY! Sony SRS XG300, SRS XE300, & SRS XE200 Are Here. Binaural Sound Samples & First Impressions More from DLXWillington →
- Danny Pops: Sony XE200 XE300 vs Bose Marshall & JBL More from DannyPops →
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE300 Review And Compared to Sony XB33 - A Muffled Mess More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 5 Vs Sony XE300 - How Can You Mess Up This Bad?
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XE300 vs JBL Charge 5 More from NewStuffTV1 →
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