Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Soundcore Mini 3 Pro is the better pick: it ranks #8 of 62 small speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5), against #53 (rated 2.5/5) for the Sony SRS-XB12. If you want one new, the Sony SRS-XB100 replaces the Sony SRS-XB12 and is rated 2.9/5 at $44.
The Soundcore Mini 3 Pro is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. Lights on top. Its bass reaches about 58Hz before falling 10dB, against 97Hz for the Sony SRS-XB12. It links with other speakers (PartyCast up to 100 speakers), which the Sony SRS-XB12 cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Sony SRS-XB12 lacks. The tradeoff: Rolled off highs.
Why pick the Sony SRS-XB12: A detachable strap hangs it from a bag or belt. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Soundcore Mini 3 Pro lacks. Watch for: Muddy, with little bass and peaky treble.
Buy the Soundcore Mini 3 Pro 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 SRS-XB100, which replaces the Sony SRS-XB12.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Mini 3 Pro | Sony SRS-XB12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $30 Discontinued | $79 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #8 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #53 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 97Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (249 g) | 0.5 lbs (243 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 6W | 7W |
| Dimensions | 2.8” x 2.8” x 3.6” (71.1 x 71.1 x 91.4 mm) | 2.9” x 3.6”H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver | 46mm |
| Maximum SPL | 87dB (Manufacturer specified) | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 240ms |
| Charging Time | - | 4.5 hours |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Soundcore Mini 3 Pro:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
- Minirig Mini vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
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 Mini 3 Pro: $30 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Lights on top. Deeper bass than most other speakers in the size. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Rolled off highs. Real-world battery life falls well short of the 15-hour claim at higher volumes. Buttons are hard to see (black print on black housing) and it won’t multipoint to two phones at once. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Soundcore Mini 3 Pro review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 6W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.8” x 2.8” x 3.6” (71.1 x 71.1 x 91.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 87dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (249 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Soundcore Mini 3
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Teufel Boomster Go
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Vifa City
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Marshall Willen II
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Minirig Mini
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- See all 32 comparisons
Sony SRS-XB12: $79 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony SRS-XB100, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5, released May 2023. See every Sony XB compact generation.
Pros: Sony SRS-XB12 uses 46mm. Its 243 g, claimed 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A detachable strap hangs it from a bag or belt. Measured bass extension of 97Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 97Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Muddy, with little bass and peaky treble. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB12 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 7W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 97Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 240ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.9” x 3.6”H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter) |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (243 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB12 vs Soundcore Mini 3 - size matters! bluetooth speakers test! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB13 vs XB12 - review and full sound test - best small speaker? 🙄
- DLX Willington: Jbl Go 3 vs Sony XB12 Sound Battle With Sound Sample More from DLXWillington →
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- See all 28 comparisons