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Sony SRS-XB100
With the SRS-XB100, Sony aims to bring a small but mighty entry to the crowded market of affordable Bluetooth speakers. Featuring an extremely portable and durable package, does this speaker deliver the sound and features to make it worth your money? Find out in this micro-review of the Sony SRS-XB100.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on November 27, 2024, to include comparisons to the Sony ULT FIELD 1 and JBL Go 4.
Sony SRS-XB100 review: At a glance
- What is it? The Sony SRS-XB100 is a tiny wireless speaker with water and dust resistance for listening in any environment.
- What is the price? The Sony SRS-XB100 has an affordable starting price of $59.99USD.
- Where can you buy it? The speaker became available in mid-2023, and you can purchase the speaker at Sony Electronics, Amazon, and other Sony-authorized retailers.
- How did we test it? I used the Sony SRS-XB100 for one week. SoundGuys purchased the review unit.
- Is it worth it? If you want a super portable speaker for personal use, the Sony SRS-XB100 is one of the best on the market.
What I like about the Sony SRS-XB100
The most noticeable thing about the Sony SRS-XB100 is just how small and lightweight the speaker is. It feels like holding a small glass of water in your hand, making it extremely easy to move around. At only 274g, it’s a barely noticeable addition to a backpack. The included strap belt is easy to add or remove. That said, be wary of strapping it to your bag, as excessive shaking can make it fall off since it uses a hook-and-loop mechanism rather than a more secure clasp.
As well as being portable, the Sony SRS-XB100 is also highly durable. An IP67 rating means the speaker is entirely resistant to dust and is protected against immersion in shallow water for short periods. Combined with a quoted battery life of 16 hours, this speaker is perfect for outdoor adventures.
The sound quality of the Sony SRS-XB100 is impressive, given its petite size. In addition to the full-range driver at the top of the unit, the SRS-XB100 has a passive radiator surrounded by ports at the bottom to project low-frequencies. In a side-by-side comparison to the cheaper Skullcandy Terrain Mini XT, the SRS-XB100 has noticeably more bass. If you have two SRS-XB100 speakers, you can pair them together for stereo playback.
You only get a few fancy features with this mini speaker, but a couple of extras are worth mentioning. The speaker supports Google Fast Pair for quick pairing to Android devices. You can also access Google Assistant or Siri with the speaker by pressing and holding the play/pause button. Still, for a hands-free smart speaker experience, you should look to the Apple HomePod mini or Google Nest Audio. A nice touch worth noting is that the Sony SRS-XB100 is partially made from recycled plastic and is shipped with no plastic material in the packaging.
What I don’t like about the Sony SRS-XB100
The Sony SRS-XB100 isn’t as loud as other ultra-portable speakers available on the market. Unlike the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3, for example, the SRS-XB100 isn’t quite powerful enough for a medium-sized room or backyard. This speaker only delivers sufficient output for, at most, a few people in a small space. The Sony Music Center companion app for the SRS-XB100 is also severely lacking in features — it only displays the speaker’s battery life and delivers firmware updates. However, if you want a simple speaker that just works, you may prefer not having to spend time setting up software on your device to use the SRS-XB100.
Another minor gripe with the Sony SRS-XB100 is the microphone quality could be better. If someone calls you while you’re using the speaker, you’re better off switching to your phone to ensure the person on the other end can hear you clearly. There’s also no fast charging for the speaker. Once you run out of juice, it takes a slow 4 hours and 30 minutes to fully charge the speaker again.
Sony SRS-XB100 specs
| Sony SRS-XB100 | |
|---|---|
Size | 76mm x 95mm |
Weight | 274g |
IP certification | IP67 |
Wired audio connection | No |
Wireless audio connection | Bluetooth 5.3; SBC, AAC |
Controls | Button |
Battery life | 16 hours |
Fast charging | No |
Connector | USB-C |
Price | $59.99 |
Should you buy the Sony SRS-XB100?
The Sony SRS-XB100 is a simple, straight-to-the-point portable Bluetooth speaker. There’s no fancy gimmicks here, just good sound in a portable and durable package. At a starting price of only $59.99, the Sony SRS-XB100 is worth it for those needing a personal speaker for outdoor adventures or a shower buddy that can pump some bass through their bathroom.
If you’re looking for something even smaller and cheaper, check out the JBL GO 4 ($49.95 at Amazon). On the other hand, if you’re looking for a speaker that can easily clip onto a bag, the JBL Clip 5 might be for you ($79.95 at Amazon). If you want to step up your sound, check out the Sony ULT FIELD 1 ($129.99 at Amazon), or head over to our full breakdown of the best Bluetooth speakers.
Sony SRS-XB100 review: FAQs
Yes, with an IP67 water resistance rating, you can take the Sony SRS-XB100 in the shower without a worry.
The Sony SRS-XB100 doesn’t have fast charging, so it takes 4 hours and 30 minutes to fully charge.
The Sony SRS-XB100 consumes approximately 2.5W of power.
Yes, the Sony SRS-XB100 connects with Apple devices via the Bluetooth AAC codec.
With Bluetooth 5.3, the Sony SRS-XB100 should stay connected to your device up to around 100 meters away when in direct line of sight of the device.
No, the Sony SRS-XB100 does not support Bluetooth Multipoint, so you can only be connected to one device at a time.
The Sony SRS-XB13 is an older model that shares the same size and shape as the newer SRS-XB100. The main difference is the SRS-XB100 is louder and has better sound quality, but at a higher price.