The Sony SRS-XB33 is an entry-level Bluetooth speaker that was first announced mid-2020. Available in up to four color choices, the speaker boasts a long-lasting battery that manufacturers claim will keep the music playing for longer than a day, as long as the music is played at low volume and its ambient lighting is switched off. Its voice assistant support is a feature it has in common with some of the best speakers on the market. The XB33 is compatible with Google Assistant and Siri and can also be used as a speakerphone when making or answering calls since it also has an onboard microphone. Its Bluetooth connectivity is also outstanding since it can be paired with two devices simultaneously, and like most highly rated Bluetooth speakers, it can maintain a strong connection with devices that are up to 334 ft away. Its Bluetooth and iOS latency is also relatively low, so there won’t be any noticeable lag when streaming videos or listening to music.
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Sony SRS-XB33 Review
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Mixed Reviews
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Top-tier testers liked that the Sony SRS-XB33 had an impressive bass response, excellent build quality, and long battery life. They also praised its intuitive companion app and were delighted with its portability. However, its lack of WiFi connectivity, missing Alexa support, and low max volume was not pleasing.
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Product Snapshot
Overview
The Sony SRS-XB33 is an entry-level Bluetooth speaker that was first announced mid-2020. Available in up to four color choices, the speaker boasts a long-lasting battery that manufacturers claim will keep the music playing for longer than a day, as long as the music is played at low volume and its ambient lighting is switched off. Its voice assistant support is a feature it has in common with some of the best speakers on the market. The XB33 is compatible with Google Assistant and Siri and can also be used as a speakerphone when making or answering calls since it also has an onboard microphone. Its Bluetooth connectivity is also outstanding since it can be paired with two devices simultaneously, and like most highly rated Bluetooth speakers, it can maintain a strong connection with devices that are up to 334 ft away. Its Bluetooth and iOS latency is also relatively low, so there won’t be any noticeable lag when streaming videos or listening to music.
Consensus
our Verdict
The Sony SRS-XB33 was hailed by expert testers for its long battery life, its ambient lighting, and its suitability for outdoor use. Product analysts from Rtings were impressed with its battery performance since, during their tests, the speaker kept going for up to 12 hours. They also lauded its easy-to-use companion app, which had a STAMINA mode to reduce bass and conserve battery life. They also liked that they could pair it with other speakers and that it was incredibly portable at a weight of only 2.4 pounds. The Sony SRS XB23 is an even lighter alternative, weighing about 1.1 pounds. Check it out in our Sony SRS-XB23 review. Reviewers from Tech Radar also commended its bass response and liked that it could pair with up to 100 compatible speakers.
However, testers lamented the speaker’s lack of WiFI connectivity and low max volume. They were also unimpressed with its lack of support for Amazon Alexa.
ReasonS to Buy
- Excellent bass response
- Long battery life
- Intuitive companion app
- Dust and water resistance
- Lightweight and portable
Reason to Avoid
- No WiFi connectivity
- Low max volume
- Not compatible with Amazon Alexa
Sony SRS-XB33 Specs
 | Battery Life | 24 hrs |
 | Built In Microphone | n/a |
 | Charge Time | 5 hrs |
 | Size | 9.7" (w) x 3.8" (h) x 4.2" (d) |
 | Smart App | Yes |
 | Speaker Pairing | Yes |
 | Water Resistant | Yes |
 | Wattage | 30W |
 | 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) | 15.775 |
| Volume Output (dB) | 86.85 |
| Low End Roll Off (Hz) | 142.544 |
| High End Roll Off (Hz) | 1,356.113 |
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Product Comparison
 Sony SRS-XB33 Review | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
True Score | 78 | 78 | 84 | 83 |
Ranking | # 73 / 109 | # 77 / 109 | # 5 / 109 | # 24 / 109 |
Market Context |
The Sony SRS-XB33 is an entry-level Bluetooth speaker that was first announced mid-2020. Available in up to four color choices, the speaker boasts a long-lasting… |
It is very easy for buyers to confuse the Sony SRS-XB33 with the Sony SRS-XB43 since the two look very similar. However, the XB33 is… It is very easy for buyers to confuse the Sony SRS-XB33 with the Sony SRS-XB43 since the two look very similar. However, the XB33 is slightly smaller than the XB43, and therefore it is more portable, but the XB43 has a slightly longer 15-hour battery life than the XB33, which has a 12.3-hour battery life. Take a look at our Sony SRS-XB43 review to see what else it offers. |
The Sony SRS-XB33 has speakerphone and voice assistant functionality while the JBL Charge 5 does not, and it also comes with RGB lighting that is… The Sony SRS-XB33 has speakerphone and voice assistant functionality while the JBL Charge 5 does not, and it also comes with RGB lighting that is missing on the Charge 5. The XB33 is also capable of a stereo output while the Charge 5 is not, but the Charge 5 has a battery life of up to 14.5 hours, which is longer than the 12.3 hours offered by the XB33. |
The Sony SRS-XB33 supports voice assistant and speakerphone functionality, while the JBL Flip 6 does not. It also has ambient lighting that is missing on… The Sony SRS-XB33 supports voice assistant and speakerphone functionality, while the JBL Flip 6 does not. It also has ambient lighting that is missing on the Flip 6, but the Flip 6 is lighter and, therefore, more portable than the XB33. |
Battery Life | 24 hrs | 24 hrs | 20+ hrs | 12 hrs |
Built In Microphone | n/a | Yes | No | n/a |
Charge Time | 5 hrs | 5 hrs | 4 hrs | 2 hrs |
Size | 9.7" (w) x 3.8" (h) x 4.2" (d) | 4.84" (h) x 12.8" (w) x 4.61" (d) | – | 7" (w) x 2.7" (h) x 2.9" (d) |
Smart App | Yes | n/a | JBL Portable | JBL Portable |
Speaker Pairing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Water Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Wattage | 30W | 32W | 30W | 30W |
Dig Deeper |
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- $217.97
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
58There’s plenty for the Sony SRS-XB33 to shout about, and it isn’t afraid to do… Read MoreBy:
Tim Gideon
43.1Category Trust Rating
73The Sony SRS-XB33 is good for outdoor use. It feels sturdy and durable, with an… Read MoreBy:
What Hi-Fi?
97Category Trust Rating
57Sony’s waterproof SRS-XB33 speaker delivers cool LED lighting and some surprising bass depth for its… Read MoreBy:
Jennifer Allen
43.6Category Trust Rating
80The Sony SRS-XB33 has a few drawbacks, especially in the artifacts and spatial attributes, but… Read MoreBy:
John Panoryios
55.2Category Trust Rating
NRThe Sony SRS-XB33 is described by Sony as a ‘durable party Bluetooth speaker’, aiming to… Read MoreBy:
Unknown
43Category Trust Rating
90The Sony SRS-XB33 brings the party with impressive volume and fun lighting features. Folks looking… Read MoreBy:
Unknown
Customer Scores
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