Short answer: the Xiaomi Mi Portable. It ranks #58 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $55; the Sony XB33 ranks #59 and costs $110, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Xiaomi Mi Portable side: Good battery life for a 16W speaker - around 12 hours at moderate volume. The catch: A bit of a sharp treble.
The case for the Sony XB33: 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. Watch for: Not very loud. Upper bass peaks, midrange dip, upper midrange peaks, not very neutral.
Buy the Xiaomi Mi Portable. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony XB33 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony XB33 is rated for 24 hours versus 13 hours for the Xiaomi Mi Portable.
Specifications Side By Side
| Xiaomi Mi Portable | Sony XB33 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $55 | $110 |
| Ranked | #58 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 373 g | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 2.9" x 2.9" (213 x 74 x 74 mm) | 9.7" x 3.8" x 4.2" (246 x 97 x 106 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 16W | 16W RMS |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/1A) | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Drivers | 2x 57mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| App | - | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 50Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 110ms |
| EQ | - | Yes (3 band) |
| Max Volume | - | 97dB |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Xiaomi Mi Portable: $55 Amazon
Pros: Good battery life for a 16W speaker - around 12 hours at moderate volume. USB-C charging, stereo pairing support.
Cons: A bit of a sharp treble
Full Xiaomi Mi Portable review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 2.9" x 2.9" (213 x 74 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 57mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/1A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 373 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Sony ULT Field 3
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- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Tronsmart Element Force
Sony XB33: $110
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.
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.
Full Sony XB33 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 97dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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