The Sony SRS-XB13 is an entry-level portable Bluetooth speaker that hit the market in 2021, touting a portable waterproof design for use on the go. Featuring a lightweight design and carrying strap, this speaker rates highly alongside the best-ranked speakers today. This portable speaker connects via Bluetooth 4.2 to devices as far away as 334.6 feet. Boasting an IP67-rated design, this unit is both submersible waterproof and dust-proof. It has a wide 84.8Hz to 17.0kHz frequency response range. Browse the specs of the Sony SRS-XB13 below and check out the top Bluetooth speakers in the industry today.
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Sony SRS-XB13 Review
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Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:27 PM
Published
True Score
True Score is an AI-powered algorithm of product tests and customer reviews.
74
Mixed Reviews
72
10
Experts
85
12.6k
Consumers
Expert Rankings
(
10
)
Editors were amazed by the Sony SRS-XB13 during their experiments, and they recommended it for podcasts, music, and the outdoors. They loved its IP67-rated waterproof construction, speakerphone and voice assistant functions, and neutral sound profile. However, they were disappointed that it lacks an EQ.
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Product Snapshot
Overview
The Sony SRS-XB13 is an entry-level portable Bluetooth speaker that hit the market in 2021, touting a portable waterproof design for use on the go. Featuring a lightweight design and carrying strap, this speaker rates highly alongside the best-ranked speakers today. This portable speaker connects via Bluetooth 4.2 to devices as far away as 334.6 feet. Boasting an IP67-rated design, this unit is both submersible waterproof and dust-proof. It has a wide 84.8Hz to 17.0kHz frequency response range. Browse the specs of the Sony SRS-XB13 below and check out the top Bluetooth speakers in the industry today.
Consensus
our Verdict
Top critics adored the Sony SRS-XB13 during their evaluation sessions, approving the speaker for music, podcasts, and the outdoors. Experts from T3 loved its remarkable 0.6-lb portable construction. Analysts from Tech Hive applauded its speakerphone functions and IP67-rated submersible waterproof, dust-proof construction. However, it doesn’t get very loud, featuring a 78.4 dB maximum SPL, although the 0.96 dB DRC shows good sound quality at the maximum volume. Explore our Sonos Roam SL review if you need a louder speaker. The SRX-XB13 boasts a good 3.72 dB standard error, delivering balanced music. With an excellent 0.92 dB directivity index, this speaker provides a wide, natural soundstage. Battery life tests revealed a good 11.5-hour runtime, and the speaker supports smartphone-based Google Assistant and Siri voice assistants. The SRS-XB13 has good 41 ms iOS Bluetooth latency and 97 ms Android latency, so it’s good for movies. It also downgrades stereo to mono and lacks an EQ. See our SOUNDBOKS Go review if you need an EQ.
ReasonS to Buy
- Well-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box
- Outstanding IP67-rated waterproof construction
- Immersive soundstage
- Low sound compression rate at the highest volume setting
- Decent 11.5-hour battery life
Reason to Avoid
- Lacks EQ
- Doesn’t support multi-device pairing
- Downgrades stereo to mono
- Doesn’t get very loud
Sony SRS-XB13 Specs
 | Battery Life | 16 hrs |
 | Built In Microphone | Yes |
 | Charge Time | 4.5 hrs |
 | Size | 3.75" (h) x 3" (w) x 3" (d) |
 | Smart App | Yes |
 | Speaker Pairing | Yes |
 | Water Resistant | Yes |
 | Wattage | 5-10W |
 | Wireless Range | 33 ft |
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Speakers based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
| Battery Life (Hours) | 11.5 |
| Volume Output (dB) | 78.4 |
| Low End Roll Off (Hz) | 142.544 |
| High End Roll Off (Hz) | 15,122.7 |
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Product Comparison
 Sony SRS-XB13 Review | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
True Score | 74 | 78 | 78 | 82 |
Ranking | # 96 / 109 | # 70 / 109 | # 72 / 109 | # 34 / 109 |
Market Context |
The Sony SRS-XB13 is an entry-level portable Bluetooth speaker that hit the market in 2021, touting a portable waterproof design for use on the go…. |
Featuring deeper bass, the Sony SRS-XB13 (this review) is better for music and movie enthusiasts than the Sony SRS-XB12. However, the XB12 features an aux… Featuring deeper bass, the Sony SRS-XB13 (this review) is better for music and movie enthusiasts than the Sony SRS-XB12. However, the XB12 features an aux port, which is not available on the XB13 portable speaker. Learn more about the XB12 in our detailed Sony SRS-XB12 review today. |
Thanks to an app-based graphic EQ, the Sony SRS-XB23 is more customizable than the Sony XB13. The XB23 also produces deeper extended low-bass. However, the… Thanks to an app-based graphic EQ, the Sony SRS-XB23 is more customizable than the Sony XB13. The XB23 also produces deeper extended low-bass. However, the 0.6-lb Sony SRS-XB13 is more portable than the 1.1-lb XB23 wireless speaker. Check out our Sony SRS-XB23 review for details about the smaller speaker. |
With a better 0.92 dB directivity index, the Sony SRS-XB13 portable speaker produces more immersive music than the JBL GO 3, which has a 3.78… With a better 0.92 dB directivity index, the Sony SRS-XB13 portable speaker produces more immersive music than the JBL GO 3, which has a 3.78 dB directivity index. It also has a better 11.5-hour battery life than the JBL speaker, which runs for 5 hours. However, the JBL device gets louder, featuring a 79.6 dB maximum SPL, beating the 78.4 dB maximum SPL of the Sony portable speaker. |
Battery Life | 16 hrs | 16 hrs | 12 hrs | 5 hrs |
Built In Microphone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Charge Time | 4.5 hrs | 4 hrs and 30 meters | 4 hrs | 2.5 hrs |
Size | 3.75" (h) x 3" (w) x 3" (d) | 74 mm (d) x 92 mm (h) | Diameter: 76 mm (d) Height: 218 mm (h) | – |
Smart App | Yes | Yes | Yes | n/a |
Speaker Pairing | Yes | Yes | Yes | n/a |
Water Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Wattage | 5-10W | 10W | 20W | 4.2W |
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Score Card
E
Expert Score
72
*.75
We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores
C
Customer Score
85
*.25
We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores
True Score
74
Any product with a True Score above 60 is a Meh
Expert Scores
Publications with higher Trust Ratings are given more weight.
100.6Category Trust Rating
60The Sony SRS-XB13 isn’t bad for music. It has a relatively boomy sound profile with… Read MoreBy:
Dagobiet Morales Alfaro
43.6Category Trust Rating
70The SRS-XB13 is Sony’s cheap portable speaker that’s built for people on a budget, but… Read MoreBy:
Yasmine Crossland
55.2Category Trust Rating
NRThe Sony SRS-XB13 is a portable small Bluetooth speaker. Its compact design and carrying strap… Read MoreBy:
Unknown
43Category Trust Rating
50This small, IP67-rated speaker is as good as it gets for its diminutive size, delivering… Read MoreBy:
Jon L. Jacobi
44.8Category Trust Rating
NR“No bottom line found for this product” Read MoreBy:
Unknown
47.9Category Trust Rating
80Sony’s outdoor-friendly SRS-XB13 speaker waterproof build is probably its best selling point—the audio performance is… Read MoreBy:
Nick Pino
Customer Scores
- 88
(
4.4/5
)
11021Ratings
- 90
(
4.5/5
)
1588Ratings
- NR
(
NR/5
)
Ratings
- 80
(
4.0/5
)
12Ratings
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