Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Soundcore Glow is the better pick: it ranks #50 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5), against #77 (rated 3.4/5) for the Sony XB33. If you want one new, the Sony ULT Field 3 replaces the Sony XB33 and is rated 3.4/5 at $208.
The Soundcore Glow is the louder, lighter choice. Nice light show. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 100dB at full volume, against 97dB for the Sony XB33. At 1.8 lbs (800 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Sony XB33 at 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg). The catch: Bass falls off quickly at louder volumes, leaving mostly treble; distortion on bass-heavy tracks at full volume.
The Sony XB33 is the longer-running option. IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 18 for the Soundcore Glow. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Soundcore Glow lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Soundcore Glow. The tradeoff: Not very loud.
Buy the Soundcore Glow 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
| Soundcore Glow | Sony XB33 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $110 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #50 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #77 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 50Hz |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 4.7” x 4.3” (290 x 120 x 110 mm) | 9.7” x 3.8” x 4.2” (246 x 97 x 106 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.5mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 16W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 110ms |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
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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 Glow: $80 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Nice light show. Treble boosted 7db. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass falls off quickly at louder volumes, leaving mostly treble; distortion on bass-heavy tracks at full volume. Light effects and bass-boost noticeably shorten battery life. USB-C port doesn’t support power-bank charging. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Soundcore Glow review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2023 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 4.7” x 4.3” (290 x 120 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.5mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Glow vs W-King D320
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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
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