Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor. It ranks #46 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5) at $49.99 and is still sold new; the Sony SRS-XB30 ranks #133 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony SRS-XB30’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 3, is rated 3.4/5 at $208.
The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor is the better-sounding, lighter choice. An affordable waterproof outdoor speaker with a separate tweeter, decent battery life and linking to many more speakers. At 1.3 lbs (597 g) it weighs much less than the Sony SRS-XB30 at 2.2 lbs (1 kg). It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the Sony SRS-XB30. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Bass reach is limited for the cabinet size, with a rated lower limit of 60Hz, and the boosted bass gets somewhat uncontrolled at high levels.
The Sony SRS-XB30 is the longer-running option. A splash resistant Sony speaker with LDAC, a power bank output, a long rated battery and Party Chain linking, now discontinued. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 12 for the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor lacks. Watch for: Independent lab listening rates music fidelity only fair: bass has impact but is boomy and lacks the deepest notes, while the midrange can sound hazy, muffled and grainy.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sony SRS-XB30 is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
An affordable waterproof outdoor speaker with a separate tweeter, decent battery life and linking to many more speakers.
A splash resistant Sony speaker with LDAC, a power bank output, a long rated battery and Party Chain linking, now discontinued.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Xiaomi Sound Outdoor | Sony SRS-XB30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $199 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #46 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #133 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Speakersync, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (597 g) | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.7” x 2.7” x 2.6” (196.6 x 68 x 66 mm) | 9” x 3.2” x 3.4” (228 x 82 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 20W woofer, 10W tweeter + 2x passive radiators | 2x 48mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 55Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
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