Short answer: the Soundcore 3, mainly on battery life. It runs 20+ hours on a charge, is IPX7 rated and adds PartyCast and app EQ presets, though it has a little less bass than similar size speakers. The Sony XB33 is lighter, IP67 rated and links up to 100 speakers with Party Connect, but it lasts about 19 hours without lights, is not very loud, and its peaks and dips make it not very neutral.
Buy the Soundcore 3 new; the Sony XB33 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 3 | Sony XB33 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $110 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #62 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #70 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (3 band) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | 110ms |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (372 g) | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.2” x 2.3” (174 x 57 x 59 mm) | 9.7” x 3.8” x 4.2” (246 x 97 x 106 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 16W | 16W RMS |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Earfun Uboom L vs Soundcore 3
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- Soundcore Motion+ vs Soundcore 3
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore 3
- Minirig 4 vs Soundcore 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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 3: $59.99 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Soundcore 2 (ranked lower, rated 3/5).
Pros: Soundcore 3 uses 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators. Its 372 g, claimed 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX7 protection, up to 99dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Identical in acoustic design and performance to the retailer variant Soundcore Select 2. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 60Hz specification.
Full Soundcore 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.2” x 2.3” (174 x 57 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (372 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony XB33: $110 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5.
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 →
| 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
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons