The best Sony speakers

Which Sony speaker sounds best?

The best Sony speakers

by Kyle Purves |
Published on

No discussion of quality speakers is complete without mentioning Sony. The brand is sure to be a familiar sight when looking for any audio products, so it's no surprise for it to be well-versed in the world of speakers.

Since Sony doesn't specialise in any one particular type of speaker, you can find the name attached to various different designs. That means you're in luck regardless of what your preference is, whether it's a Bluetooth speaker or a pair of rear speakers.

The best Sony speakers at a glance:

Best overall Sony speaker: Sony SRS-XB100 - View on Amazon

Best Sony waterproof speaker: Sony SRS-XB23 - View on Amazon

Best Sony travel speaker: Sony SRS-XG300 - View on Amazon

Sony's speakers are suited for a variety of different tasks too. In need of a reliable party speaker to keep the night going? It has you covered. Want to add a smart speaker to your home for extra convenience? There are plenty of Sony options.

We've gathered some of our favourite Sony speakers here so as to make it easier for you to decide which is best for you. We've factored in strengths, weaknesses, and any niches, so you can be reassured that you'll be making an informed purchase.

The best Sony speakers:

All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.

Best overall Sony speaker

The SRS-XB100 might not be Sony's most powerful speaker, but we reckon it's the most versatile one. It's a nice little size that never takes up too much room, yet the sound bursts out of it as if it were twice as big. Frankly, the bass quality coming out of a device this small is very impressive.

The battery life is also brilliant, coming in at roughly 16 hours of playtime off a full charge. When you factor in the IP67 waterproofing as well, it's clear that this is a fantastic all-rounder of a speaker.

Pros

  • Fantastic battery life
  • Great waterproofing
  • Great bass for the size

Cons

  • More powerful options exist from Sony

Best compact Sony speaker

Sony SRS-XB13Sony
Price: $44.99

The SRS-XB13 is a similar design to the SRS-XB100, being an older model from 2021. Even so, this doesn't feel dated whatsoever. It has a lot of similar strengths, notably the great bass for the size. The tiny size is brilliant for those who like to move a speaker around their house.

This is also a really affordable speaker, especially for its sound quality. If you don't want to break the bank when purchasing a new speaker, it's worth considering the SRS-XB13.

Pros

  • Tiny size
  • Impressive bass
  • Affordable and budget-friendly

Cons

  • Slightly older model

Best Sony waterproof speaker

Sony SRS-XB23Sony

Rrp: $129.99

Price: $89.00

With an IP67 waterproof rating, the SRS-XB23 can be submerged without being damaged. This already makes it the perfect speaker for those searching for a poolside design, but the durability overall is sure to intrigue even more. It has a degree of drop-resistance that keeps it safe from most regular falls.

Our only gripe with the SRS-XB23 is the lack of quick charging, but a 12-hour battery life does prevent that from becoming a regular issue.

Pros

  • Brilliant IP67 waterproofing
  • Very durable
  • Pairs well with other speakers

Cons

  • No quick charging

Best Sony travel speaker

The SRS-XG300 is Sony's ultimate travel speaker, and one look at its battery situation should tell you all you need to know. Immediately, 25 hours of playtime is fantastic, but the fact it's capable of quick charging is even better. Add in the ability to function as a power bank for other devices, and you'll never want to leave on a trip without it.

We do appreciate the inclusion of a handle to make carrying it easier, but it is a bit short for our liking. That said, it's quite durable, so we don't have too much issue with it.

Pros

  • Incredible battery life
  • Quick charging is very handy
  • Doubles as a power bank

Cons

  • Wish the handle was a little bigger

Best Sony Boombox speaker

For the punchiest sound possible from a Sony speaker, we suggest the SRS-XG500. While it already sounds brilliant right from the get-go, enabling the mega bass function is sure to add plenty of oomph. If that already doesn't sell you, then perhaps the minor, albeit very nice, side lights will.

The controls are well-labelled and distinguishable at a glance, but we can't help but think they are needlessly small considering the overall size of this speaker.

Pros

  • Mega bass function
  • Nice subtle light feature
  • Very punchy sound

Cons

  • Wish the controls were a little bigger

Best Sony rear speakers

Rear speakers are a great way to improve your surround sound setup, and Sony has its SA-RS3S speakers for that purpose. These are very easy to set up and get working right away, so you'll hear an immediate difference in your soundscape.

Unfortunately, these really want to be paired up with a Sony soundbar, so you'll need to invest in one of those to get the most out of the SA-RS3S.

Pros

  • Very easy to set up
  • Sleek, stylish design
  • Great for surround sound

Cons

  • Wants to be paired with a soundbar

Best Sony party speaker

The Sony MHCV73D is certainly far from portable, but that's forgivable when you look into its dedication to keeping a party going. It has convenient gesture-based controls so you won't need to mess around with it in poor lighting, meaning you can enjoy the omnidirectional sound without any stress. The multi-device connections also mean that your friends can also get involved in the playlist.

A rather unique but absolutely fun addition is the Taiko mode. Named after a Japanese drum, this mode effectively acts as a rhythm-based minigame that you play on top of the speaker, adding extra variety to the party.

Pros

  • Omnidirectional sound
  • Multi-device connection
  • Amusing Taiko mode

Cons

  • Less portable than other Sony speakers

FAQs

What is a tweeter?

For getting the best performance out of a speaker, you'll want it to have a tweeter. This small speaker type is responsible for expanding the range of high-frequency sounds that can be produced. That means that for those of us listening, we're getting a much more refined and richer audio experience.

A tweeter isn't a must-have, as many Sony speakers still perform great without one, but it's always a nice addition to have.

What is a woofer?

A woofer is the counterpart to a tweeter, this time aiming to expand the low-frequency sounds that a speaker can produce. If you're a big fan of bass-heavy music, you'll definitely want a speaker with a woofer in it.

For a truly great bass speaker, you can go a bit further. Some speakers have subwoofers, which are capable of hitting even lower frequencies, providing a punchy sound that speakers without one can't compete with.

Kyle Purvesis a Commercial Content Writer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.

They’re well-versed in reviewing a variety of tech products, with a soft spot for speakers and earphones. They’re also no stranger to hunting down the best savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside of work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, listening to Japanese noise rock, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults to be free at the same time is easier said than done.

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