Short answer: the Tribit PocketGo. It ranks #27 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $20.99; the Sony SRS-XB100 ranks #33 and costs $63, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Tribit PocketGo offers: Fuller low end than the JBL Go 5, despite the JBL’s clearer, more typical JBL sound. Watch for: Battery life isn’t the biggest for this speaker class.
The case for the Sony SRS-XB100: Long real-world battery life (~17 hours in testing). The tradeoff: Not much bass.
Buy the Tribit PocketGo. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XB100 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit PocketGo | Sony SRS-XB100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20.99 | $63.00 |
| Ranked | #27 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #33 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Output Power | 7W | 2.5W |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 1x 45mm full-range driver | 46mm |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 220 g | 0.6 lbs / 274 g |
| Dimensions | 4.3" x 3.2" x 1.7" (108 x 81 x 42 mm) | 3" x 3.7" (76 x 95 mm) (diameter x height) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes (Tribit app) | No |
| EQ | Yes (6 presets + custom) | No |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes (up to 128GB) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Discontinued | No | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Boat Stone 190/193 vs JBL Go 5
- JBL Go 3 vs JBL Go 5
- JBL Go 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Soundcore Select 4 Go vs Sony SRS-XB100
- JBL Clip 4 vs Tribit PocketGo
The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit PocketGo: $20.99 Amazon
Pros: Fuller low end than the JBL Go 5, despite the JBL’s clearer, more typical JBL sound. Costs about half the price of the JBL Go 5. Can stand, hang from its loop, or lay flat on its feet for flexible placement. About on par with the Soundcore Select 4 Go, and a touch louder at lower volumes. App support with signature EQ and customization.
Cons: Battery life isn’t the biggest for this speaker class. JBL Go 5 has better build quality plus lightshow, Auracast, and AirTouch. Loses more bass than the Soundcore Select 4 Go at maximum volume. Slightly nasal quality to the sound.
Full Tribit PocketGo review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Tribit app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.3" x 3.2" x 1.7" (108 x 81 x 42 mm) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 1x 45mm full-range driver |
| EQ | Yes (6 presets + custom) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes (up to 128GB) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 7W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 220 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XB100: $63.00 Amazon
Pros: Long real-world battery life (~17 hours in testing). IP67 rated and pocketable at 267g, with a clip for bags/gear. Can stereo-pair two units.
Cons: Not much bass. Seems pretty much the same as the XB13, maybe a teeny bit deeper bass and a little less muddy.
Full Sony SRS-XB100 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3" x 3.7" (76 x 95 mm) (diameter x height) |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 2.5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 274 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- CEONTHEMAKING: BATTLE Of The Compact Speakers Sony SRS-XB100 VS JBL Clip 4!
- Flossy Carter: Sony SRS-XB100 - Small Speaker, Huge Sound
- Danny Pops: Agreeable Gray? - The Sony XB100 is almost the same as the XB13
- Storytripper HD: JBL GO 4 vs TRIBIT MICRO 2 vs KLIPSCH AUSTIN vs SONY SRS-XB100
- Reddit Search for Sony SRS-XB100 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons