Is it Worth the Money?    

Sony SRS-XB01 is one of the smallest Bluetooth speakers in the market right now. Despite its small size, it delivers full range sound. You can connect this speaker with different types of devices as long as they have Bluetooth feature. You can take this speaker anywhere because of its small size.

Moreover, its $33 price means it’s affordable for almost anyone. It may not offer the best of sounds when you compare with some other more expensive models. But when it comes to value for money, this is probably up there are one of the best Bluetooth speakers you can get right now. So, we can rightly say it is worth the money.

Battery Life?

The battery life is so impressive as when compared with some other Bluetooth speakers. It offers about 6 hours at playback with full volume, which is very cool for a speaker that costs $33. It will give you 6 full hours when you play it at full volume. So, if you’re now playing at average volume, you should be expecting about 8-9 hours playtime.

Unless you are playing it non-stop for several hours, the battery could take you for almost a day. The impressive thing about the battery is the short time it takes to charge it. Charging this speaker takes less than 2.5 hours to get it to fully charged level.

User Experience:

Good: A user from Reddit says: I went for this speaker because I’ve always had a good experience with Sony products. I wasn’t disappointed. Apart from the good sound output, another thing I like is the strap that makes it very portable and easy to carry.

Another User from Amazon says: I’m very impressed for the price I bought two pieces as a present from my two kids for Christmas. They have been using them since them and there haven’t been any issues.

Bad: A user from Reddit says: What I can say is you always get what you pay for. I was expecting a higher audio output and quality, but I guess the small size of the speaker makes it impossible.

Another user from Amazon says: I love the sound of this speaker, butit stopped charging suddenly. I think the charging port is faulty.

Is it a smart speaker?   

Sony SRS XB01 may not be a smart speaker, but it does have enough connecting features to link different types of devices. The speaker comes with a built-in microphone for hands free calling. While you can use it as a speaker, it also allows you to answer calls with your smartphone.

Water Proof?

The product’s page didn’t specify whether the product is waterproof or not. But judging by the feel and looks, you shouldn’t expect the speaker to hold its own when submerged in water. It could stand a bit of water sprinkle from the rain or beside the pool. Anything more than that could cause a problem, especially to the internal features. So, we can rightly say Sony SRS XB01 is not completely waterproof.

Build Quality? Add Dimensions Tag/Weight Tag

What we love most about this speaker is the lightweight design and portability. In fact, that’s the reason why it’s very popular in the market. It’s one of the smallest, measuring 3.31 x 3.31 x 5.19 inches and weighing 5.6 ounces.

Additionally, it has a solid build with different color options to choose. You can get it in black, white, blue, or red color options. This gives you the chance to select what matches your style and preference.

Sony SRS XB01 speaker can connect to laptops, tablets, smartphones, or other devices as long as they have Bluetooth. It connection distance can reach about 10meter or 32 feet, which is impressive for a low-budget Bluetooth speaker.

Another interesting thing is the built-in microphone for hands-free phone calls. At the top area of the speaker, there are four control buttons to help you enjoy your music.

If you’re looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker with simple design, you are going to love every bit of this model.

The speaker comes with a single driver, which means it’s a mono speaker with a small bass port at the back. For the small size, you would think it will sound awful. But the speaker actually sounds great. The volume is not too high, which was deliberate by Sony to prevent it from distorting.

Alternatives for Sony SRS XB01 speaker

Now that we’ve seen the features and specifications of the Sony SRS XB01 speaker, let’s look at some alternatives.

JBL CLIP 3 – Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Price: $50

JBL CLIP 3 features

If for any reason you fancy the Sony SRS XB01 speaker above, a good alternative is the JBL CLIP 3 waterproof Bluetooth speaker. In terms f design, this speaker comes with a unique built. It looks like a small purse with a clip to help you easily carry the speaker along.

This speaker is also portable, measuring 2.40 x 5.70 x 7.80 inches and weighing 7.84 ounces. Although it’s heavier than the Sony model above, a difference of less than 2 ounces is not a significant one.

It’s a waterproof Bluetooth speaker that can stand the test of time. With the upgraded caarabiner clips, you can pin the speaker to your backpack, belt loop, or clothes when you’re on the go. This makes the speaker a good outdoor companion wherever you go.

JBL CLIP 3 is IPX7 waterproof, which is great for use near the pool. In case rain catches up with you, there will be no cause for alarm because the speaker will be safe.

And with 10 hours of playtime, the battery can take you through the better part of the day.

Pros:

• The speaker is lightweight and portable
• It is affordable despite having nice features
• IPX7 certified for waterproof safety
• Battery strength of 10 hours is impressive

User Experience:

A user from Reddit says: the battery lasts long enough for me and it sounds good.Considering its low power consumption, the bass is okay.

Another user from Amazon says: There is no doubt that the speaker is well-designed with fancy features. But they should have done more for the battery life.

Cons:

• Design doesn’t provide color options

AOMAIS Sport Wireless Bluetooth Speakers

Price:$30

AOMAIS Sport II features

AOMAIS is another solid and effective Bluetooth speaker that offers good value for money. It weighs only 4.8 ounces, which is even lesser than the Sony XB01 speaker. If you’re looking for an affordable Bluetooth speaker, AOMAIS is certainly a good one to pick.

It comes in different color options, including green and orange. Another interesting thing about this speaker is the battery life.

It uses rechargeable built-in high capacity Li-batteries that can last for 12 hours. Considering the price and the battery strength, we can rightly say this product is impressive.

Also, you can easily connect different types of devices as long as they have Bluetooth feature.

It also has IPX7 waterproof certification. It can stay immersed underwater for up to 30 minutes without any harm or damage to the speaker. This feature is only available in most high-end Bluetooth speakers. It’s great to have it in this one.

Audio quality is also great with the familiar boombox shape. It’s one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers available in the market right now.

Pros

• Durable and rugged design that can stand the test of time
• It comes with good battery life with 12-hour playtime
• The speaker is lightweight and very portable
• It has impressive audio output

User Experience:

A user from Reddit says: When I paired these speakers as a set, their sounds were amazing. It’s also great the speaker is completely waterproof.

Another user from Amazon says: Ever since the speaker fell into the pool, the buttons have stopped working. So, I’m guessing it’s not completely water proof after all.

Cons

The speaker looks a bit too wide for portability comfort

OontZ Angle 3  Bluetooth Speaker

Price:25.99

OontZ Angle 3 features: OontZ is a similarly priced Bluetooth speaker like Sony SRS XB01. It comes in different color varieties, including coca-cola, white, red, blue, and black. This is an angle speaker, so it’s very portable. It weighs 0.56 lbs and measures 5.30 x 2.80 x 2.60 inches.

As an angle speaker, you will love the incredible sound output of this speaker. The minimalistic kind of design makes it a bit unique and different from other speakers.

Pros

• It comes with louder volumes
• Incredible 100 foot range
• Strong battery capacity
• 14 hours of battery playtime.

User Experience:

A user from Reddit says: A user from Reddit says, I love the sound of this speaker, despite the small size.

Another user from Amazon says: I bought this speaker few months ago but now it has stopped working.

Cons

• The waterproof feature not complete

Conclusion

Sony SRS XB01 is a budget-friendly Bluetooth speaker that is portable and powerful. But if you feel the speaker is not meant for you, there are alternatives above you can choose from.