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Bluetooth Speakers

True Score Methodology v1.0

Sony SRS-XB33 Review

November 16, 2023

True Score

Mixed Reviews

Experts

6,402

Consumers

Expert Rankings

(

)

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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Table of Contents

Overview
What Is Not on the Box
Product Comparison
All Stores
Score Card
Expert Score Breakdown
Customer Score Breakdown
Learn More About Bluetooth Speakers

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.

What Is Not on the Box

What the brand doesn’t always tell you…

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.

True Score

Reasons to Buy

Excellent bass response
Long battery life
Intuitive companion app
Dust and water resistance
Lightweight and portable

Reasons to Avoid

No WiFi connectivity
Low max volume
Not compatible with Amazon Alexa

Specifications

	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

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Product Comparison

	Sony SRS-XB33 Review	Sony SRS-XB43 Review	JBL Charge 5 Review	JBL Flip 6 Review
True Score	74	71	86	83
Ranking	# 38 / 81	# 50 / 81	# 4 / 81	# 13 / 81
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… 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.	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	n/a	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)	3.76" (h) x 8.7" (w) x 3.67" (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
Dig Deeper		Read review →: Sony SRS-XB43 Review	Read review →: JBL Charge 5 Review	Read review →: JBL Flip 6 Review

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$59.99
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Score Card

Expert Score

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

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 Score Breakdown

Publications with higher Trust Scores are given more weight

A
Trust Score
58
There’s plenty for the Sony SRS-XB33 to shout about, and it isn’t afraid to do… read more
By:
Tim Gideon
C
Trust Score
57
Sony’s waterproof SRS-XB33 speaker delivers cool LED lighting and some surprising bass depth for its… read more
By:
Jennifer Allen
C
Trust Score
73
The Sony SRS-XB33 is good for outdoor use. It feels sturdy and durable, with an… read more
By:
What Hi-Fi?
D
Trust Score
80
The Sony SRS-XB33 has a few drawbacks, especially in the artifacts and spatial attributes, but… read more
By:
John Panoryios
D
Trust Score
NR
The Sony SRS-XB33 is described by Sony as a ‘durable party Bluetooth speaker’, aiming to… read more
By:
Unknown
D
Trust Score
90
The Sony SRS-XB33 brings the party with impressive volume and fun lighting features. Folks looking… read more
By:
Unknown