Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 for battery life and a floating, USB-C design, though neither ranks well in its class. It is IP67 rated, floats, charges over USB-C and runs 15 hours, though it is not much improved over the old Booms and has weak, thuddy bass extension. The Sony SRS-XB20 is an IPX5 pill shape with a 12-hour battery that slides easily into a bag, but it sounds thin at higher volumes and its bass falls away quickly. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 157 medium speakers; for better sound, the Earfun Uboom L ranks #1 at $49.79.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Boom 4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sony SRS-XB20 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Boom 4 | Sony SRS-XB20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $129 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #103 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #110 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (SongPal) |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (620 g) | 1.3 lbs (590 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.2” x 2.9” x 2.9” (184 x 73 x 73 mm) | 7.8” x 2.7” x 2.7” (198 x 68 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.57” (40mm) active drivers + 2x 1.81” x 2.57” (46.1 x 65.2mm) passive radiators | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 85dBC (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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
Ultimate Ears Boom 4: $149.99 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and finally charges via USB-C instead of the older Booms’ Micro-USB. 15 hour battery. Customizable EQ and speaker-pairing via the UE app.
Cons: Not much improvement over the old ones. Weak bass extension and thuddy bass. Gets distorted above 90%
Full Ultimate Ears Boom 4 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.2” x 2.9” x 2.9” (184 x 73 x 73 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.57” (40mm) active drivers + 2x 1.81” x 2.57” (46.1 x 65.2mm) passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 85dBC (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (620 g) |
- Links
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Sony SRS-XB20: $129 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 1, ranked higher, rated 3.1/5.
Pros: Sony SRS-XB20 uses 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators. Its 590 g, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX5 protection, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: No EQ adjustment. Sounds thin at higher volumes. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB20 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (SongPal) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8” x 2.7” x 2.7” (198 x 68 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (590 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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