The Sony SRS-XB43 is a top-shelf Bluetooth speaker that was first launched in mid-2020. The speaker’s dust and water resistance makes it an ideal pick for use outdoors, and weighing only 6.4 pounds, it shouldn’t be challenging to carry around. The speaker also offers ambient lighting on both ends, and like the best speakers around, it is also capable of a stereo sound output. The XB43 also has a long-lasting battery that offers up to 15 hours of continuous playback. The best Bluetooth speakers have an extended range of connectivity, and in this regard, the XB43 is no different. It can sustain a connection with devices up to 334 ft away, and it can also be paired with two Bluetooth devices at the same time. Its latency when connected to iOS and Android devices is also relatively low, making the speaker ideal for watching movies or streaming music without any lag.
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Sony SRS-XB43 Review
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Specialists praised the Sony SRS-XB43’s excellent battery life and sturdy build quality. They were impressed with its portability and its low bass response. Still, they complained that it was not as easy to store due to its bulky size and that its sound got distorted at max volume. They also didn’t like its missing WiFi connectivity.
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Product Snapshot
Overview
The Sony SRS-XB43 is a top-shelf Bluetooth speaker that was first launched in mid-2020. The speaker’s dust and water resistance makes it an ideal pick for use outdoors, and weighing only 6.4 pounds, it shouldn’t be challenging to carry around. The speaker also offers ambient lighting on both ends, and like the best speakers around, it is also capable of a stereo sound output. The XB43 also has a long-lasting battery that offers up to 15 hours of continuous playback. The best Bluetooth speakers have an extended range of connectivity, and in this regard, the XB43 is no different. It can sustain a connection with devices up to 334 ft away, and it can also be paired with two Bluetooth devices at the same time. Its latency when connected to iOS and Android devices is also relatively low, making the speaker ideal for watching movies or streaming music without any lag.
Consensus
our Verdict
Product testers praised the Sony SRS-XB43 for its water and dust resistance and long battery life. Product reviewers from Rtings were also pleased with how portable it was and liked that it was capable of stereo output. During their tests, its battery lasted for up to 15 hours. If this isn’t enough, you might want to consider the Sony SRS-XG500, which lasts up to 25 hours. Check it out in our Sony SRS-XG500 review. Product analysts from PC Mag praised the speaker’s bass depth and liked how loud it could get. They were impressed with the ambient lighting provided by the LED bands on its left and right sides and liked that they could adjust its equalizer through its companion app, which they also found pretty easy to use.
Still, the XB43 had its share of drawbacks, as testers complained that its bulky size might make storage difficult. They also lamented its lack of WiFI connectivity and noted that its audio quality got distorted at higher volumes.
ReasonS to Buy
- Dust and water resistant
- Impressive bass response
- Loud max volume
- Long range of connectivity
- Long battery life
Reason to Avoid
- No WiFi connectivity
- Bulky size complicates storage
- Audio distorts at max volume
Sony SRS-XB43 Specs
 | Battery Life | 24 hrs |
 | Built In Microphone | Yes |
 | Charge Time | 5 hrs |
 | Size | 4.84" (h) x 12.8" (w) x 4.61" (d) |
 | Smart App | n/a |
 | Speaker Pairing | Yes |
 | Water Resistant | Yes |
 | Wattage | 32W |
 | Wireless Range | 98.4 ft |
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Speakers based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
| Battery Life (Hours) | 15 |
| Volume Output (dB) | 90 |
| Low End Roll Off (Hz) | 63.496 |
| High End Roll Off (Hz) | 2,381.676 |
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Product Comparison
 Sony SRS-XB43 Review |  JBL Charge 4 Review | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
True Score | 78 | 78 | 84 | NR |
Ranking | # 77 / 109 | # 73 / 109 | # 5 / 109 | # / 109 |
Market Context |
The Sony SRS-XB43 is a top-shelf Bluetooth speaker that was first launched in mid-2020. The speaker’s dust and water resistance makes it an ideal pick… |
In terms of design and appearance, there’s little difference between the Sony SRS-XB33 and the Sony SRS-XB43. Still, the XB33 is the smaller pick between… In terms of design and appearance, there’s little difference between the Sony SRS-XB33 and the Sony SRS-XB43. Still, the XB33 is the smaller pick between the two and, therefore, the most portable, but the XB43 offers a longer 15-hour battery life compared to the XB33, which lasts up to 12.3 hours. The XB43 also has an AUX input, while the XB33 does not. Check out our Sony SRS-XB33 review to see what else its got to offer. |
The Sony SRS-XB43 has both speakerphone and voice assistant functionality while the JBL Charge 5 does not, and it also features RGB lighting that is… The Sony SRS-XB43 has both speakerphone and voice assistant functionality while the JBL Charge 5 does not, and it also features RGB lighting that is missing on the Charge 5. However, the Charge 5 is smaller and, therefore, more portable. |
The Sony SRS-XB43 is compatible with Google Assistant and Siri voice assistants, while the JBL Charge 4 is not. The XB43 also has a graphical… The Sony SRS-XB43 is compatible with Google Assistant and Siri voice assistants, while the JBL Charge 4 is not. The XB43 also has a graphical equalizer while the Charge 4 does not, and its 15-hour battery life is slightly longer than the Charge 4’s 13.1-hour battery life. |
Battery Life | 24 hrs | 24 hrs | 20+ hrs | – |
Built In Microphone | Yes | n/a | No | – |
Charge Time | 5 hrs | 5 hrs | 4 hrs | – |
Size | 4.84" (h) x 12.8" (w) x 4.61" (d) | 9.7" (w) x 3.8" (h) x 4.2" (d) | – | – |
Smart App | n/a | Yes | JBL Portable | – |
Speaker Pairing | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
Water Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
Wattage | 32W | 30W | 30W | – |
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Score Card
E
Expert Score
*.75
We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores
C
Customer Score
*.25
We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores
True Score
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
62The Sony Extra Bass XB43 is a fun and unashamedly party speaker. If its built-in… Read MoreBy:
Mike Lowe
97Category Trust Rating
61The Sony SRS-XB43 is a bass-forward Bluetooth speaker with an outdoor-friendly design, built-in LED lighting,… Read MoreBy:
Tim Gideon
43.6Category Trust Rating
80The Sony XB43 is great for outdoor use. It has an IP67 rating for dust… Read MoreBy:
John Panoryios
52.7Category Trust Rating
80The Sony SRS-XB43 delivers a fairly contrasted audio performance overall, with very satisfying results for… Read MoreBy:
Unknown
44.8Category Trust Rating
NRBy:
Unknown
Customer Scores
- 94
(
4.7/5
)
4995Ratings
- 94
(
4.7/5
)
1724Ratings
- NR
(
NR/5
)
Ratings
- 74
(
3.7/5
)
3Ratings
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