The Sony SRS-XB23 is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2020, promising powerful sounds on the go. Featuring a unique water bottle-inspired design, this portable speaker stands out among the most popular speakers today. With a 311.7-foot Bluetooth range and dual-device Bluetooth pairing, this speaker provides excellent connectivity. It also has an app-based graphic EQ for fine-tuning settings. Continue reading our Sony SRS-XB23 review and see how it compares to the best-ranked Bluetooth speakers on the market today.
72
out of
109
Speakers
Sony SRS-XB23 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.
78
Mixed Reviews
77
5
Experts
89
9,070
Consumers
Expert Rankings
(
5
)
Product researchers praised the Sony SRS-XB23 during their tests, and they endorsed it for indoor and outdoor podcasts and music playback. They loved its balanced music soundscape and IP67-rated dustproof and waterproof construction. However, they criticized its subdued maximum SPL output.
$70.75
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Product Snapshot
Overview
The Sony SRS-XB23 is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2020, promising powerful sounds on the go. Featuring a unique water bottle-inspired design, this portable speaker stands out among the most popular speakers today. With a 311.7-foot Bluetooth range and dual-device Bluetooth pairing, this speaker provides excellent connectivity. It also has an app-based graphic EQ for fine-tuning settings. Continue reading our Sony SRS-XB23 review and see how it compares to the best-ranked Bluetooth speakers on the market today.
Consensus
our Verdict
Experts hailed the Sony SRS-XB23 during their experiments, endorsing it for indoor and outdoor music and podcast playback. Testers at PCMag loved its speakerphone functions and submersible IP67-rated waterproof and dustproof construction. Reviewers at TechRadar were delighted by its 1.1-lb compact construction. Check out the Sony SRS-XB12 review if you need a smaller device. Testers praised its neutral sound profile and low 3.70 dB frequency response standard error. However, the 71.3Hz to 7.0kHz frequency response range is narrow, and the so-so low bass might not please hardcore movie buffs. During testing, the device produced a good soundstage, posting a 3.98 dB directivity index. The device gets fairly loud, featuring an 84.9 dB maximum SPL, although it has a 4.79 dB sound-quality deterioration DRC at the maximum volume. See our Sony SRS-XB33 review for a louder speaker. Tests revealed a 9.2-hour battery life and support for smartphone-based Siri and Google Assistant voice assistant. It has a great 52 ms iOS Bluetooth latency and 90 ms Android Bluetooth latency.
ReasonS to Buy
- Fantastic IP67-rated waterproof, dustproof construction
- Speakerphone functions and support for smartphone voices assistants
- Decent soundstage performance and graphic EQ
- Incredibly portable 1.1-lb construction
- Good iOS Bluetooth latency and dual-device pairing
Reason to Avoid
- Doesn’t get very loud
- So-so Android Bluetooth latency
Sony SRS-XB23 Specs
 | Battery Life | 12 hrs |
 | Built In Microphone | Yes |
 | Charge Time | 4 hrs |
 | Size | Diameter: 76 mm (d) Height: 218 mm (h) |
 | Smart App | Yes |
 | Speaker Pairing | Yes |
 | Water Resistant | Yes |
 | Wattage | 20W |
 | Wireless Range | 30 m |
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Speakers based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
| Battery Life (Hours) | 8.6 |
| Volume Output (dB) | 84.9 |
| Low End Roll Off (Hz) | 95.137 |
| High End Roll Off (Hz) | 2,248.003 |
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Product Comparison
 Sony SRS-XB23 Review |  UE Boom 3 Review | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
True Score | 78 | 74 | 84 | NR |
Ranking | # 72 / 109 | # 96 / 109 | # 5 / 109 | # / 109 |
Market Context |
The Sony SRS-XB23 is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2020, promising powerful sounds on the go. Featuring a unique water bottle-inspired design, this… |
Some consumers also research this speaker’s compatriot, the Sony SRS-XB13, because it has a similar portable IP67-rated waterproof, dust-proof design. Producing better extended low-bass and… Some consumers also research this speaker’s compatriot, the Sony SRS-XB13, because it has a similar portable IP67-rated waterproof, dust-proof design. Producing better extended low-bass and featuring an app-based graphic EQ, the Sony SRS-XB23 (this review) is better for music enthusiasts than the SRS-XB13, which doesn’t have a graphic EQ. However, the 0.6-lb XB13 is more portable than the 1.1-lb Sony SRS-XB23 wireless speaker. Check out our Sony SRS-XB13 review to learn more. |
Some users compare the Sony SRS-XB23 with the JBL Charge 5 because both are portable battery-powered speakers. Featuring a better 3.98 dB directivity index and… Some users compare the Sony SRS-XB23 with the JBL Charge 5 because both are portable battery-powered speakers. Featuring a better 3.98 dB directivity index and full support for stereo, the Sony SRS-XB23 portable speaker has a wider soundstage than the JBL Charge 5, which has a 4.27 dB directivity index and doesn’t support stereo. However, the 14.5-hour battery life of the JBL speaker is better than the 9.2-hour runtime of the Sony wireless speaker. |
Other consumers are torn between the Sony SRS-XB23 and its competitor, the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3, seeing that both are portable Bluetooth speakers. The Ultimate… Other consumers are torn between the Sony SRS-XB23 and its competitor, the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3, seeing that both are portable Bluetooth speakers. The Ultimate Ears device has a better 1.82 dB directivity index, resulting in a more immersive soundstage than the Sony SRS-XB23 portable speaker, which has a 3.98 dB directivity index. However, the Sony speaker supports smartphone-based voice assistants, unlike the BOOM 3. |
Battery Life | 12 hrs | 16 hrs | 20+ hrs | – |
Built In Microphone | Yes | Yes | No | – |
Charge Time | 4 hrs | 4.5 hrs | 4 hrs | – |
Size | Diameter: 76 mm (d) Height: 218 mm (h) | 3.75" (h) x 3" (w) x 3" (d) | – | – |
Smart App | Yes | Yes | JBL Portable | – |
Speaker Pairing | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
Water Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
Wattage | 20W | 5-10W | 30W | – |
Dig Deeper |
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- $70.75
Score Card
E
Expert Score
77
*.75
We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores
C
Customer Score
89
*.25
We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores
True Score
78
Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews
Expert Scores
Publications with higher Trust Ratings are given more weight.
100.6Category Trust Rating
61The entry-level Sony SRS-XB23 boasts a new design that moves the passive radiators to the… Read MoreBy:
Nick Pino
43.6Category Trust Rating
80The Sony XB23 is satisfactory for outdoor use. It has a very lightweight, portable design,… Read MoreBy:
John Panoryios
55.2Category Trust Rating
NRThe Sony SRS-XB23 is a cylindrical Bluetooth speaker and the smallest and cheapest model in… Read MoreBy:
Unknown
43Category Trust Rating
80Sony’s SRS-XB23 speaker delivers solid audio for its size and price in an outdoor-friendly, waterproof… Read MoreBy:
Tim Gideon
44.8Category Trust Rating
NR“No bottom line found for this product” Read MoreBy:
Unknown
Customer Scores
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