Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Miniroll. It ranks #12 of 62 small speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5) at $50.99 and is still sold new; the Sony SRS-XB12 ranks #53 (rated 2.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony SRS-XB12’s replacement, the Sony SRS-XB100, is rated 2.9/5 at $44.
The Ultimate Ears Miniroll is the better-sounding option. Good clarity and detail in the mids and highs, with a warmer balance than most speakers its size. It links with other speakers (PartyUp/Auracast, Miniroll-only), which the Sony SRS-XB12 cannot. The catch: Bass does not reach as deep as the best-rated speakers.
The Sony SRS-XB12 is the longer-running option. A detachable strap hangs it from a bag or belt. It is rated for 16 hours of battery against 12 for the Ultimate Ears Miniroll. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Ultimate Ears Miniroll lacks. Watch for: Muddy, with little bass and peaky treble.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Miniroll. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sony SRS-XB12 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Miniroll | Sony SRS-XB12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $50.99 | $79 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #12 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #53 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp/Auracast, Miniroll-only) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (279 g) | 0.5 lbs (243 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 4.8” x 4.1” x 1.9” (122.7 x 105 x 48.1 mm) | 2.9” x 3.6”H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter) |
| Charging Time | 2.3 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Drivers | 45.6mm active with passive radiator | 46mm |
| Amplifier Power | 3W RMS | 7W |
| Maximum SPL | 83dB (Manufacturer specified) | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 97Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 240ms |
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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
Ultimate Ears Miniroll: $50.99 Amazon $50.99 eBay
Older model: the Ultimate Ears Roll 2 (rated 2.2/5). See every Ultimate Ears Roll generation.
Pros: Ultimate Ears Miniroll uses 45.6mm active with passive radiator. Its 279 g, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 83dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Good clarity and detail in the mids and highs, with a warmer balance than most speakers its size.
Cons: There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Bass does not reach as deep as the best-rated speakers.
Full Ultimate Ears Miniroll review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 3W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2.3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.8” x 4.1” x 1.9” (122.7 x 105 x 48.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 45.6mm active with passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 83dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp/Auracast, Miniroll-only) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (279 g) |
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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 →
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- DLX Willington: Jbl Go 3 vs Sony XB12 Sound Battle With Sound Sample More from DLXWillington →
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