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Head-to-head · Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100

Sony SRS-XB100 vs Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Sony SRS-XB100 and Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker score essentially the same (4.0 vs 4.0). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Sony SRS-XB100
Ranked #2 in Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100
Sony SRS-XB100
3 sources$39.01as of Sep 25

The Sony SRS-XB100 is the best truly tiny Bluetooth speaker under $100, packing surprisingly full, bass-forward sound and a built-in mic into a body the size of a soda can. Its IP67 rating, roughly 16-hour battery and 274g weight make it a brilliant shower, hiking and travel speaker. It can't fill a big space and its app is bare-bones, but for portable, balanced sound on a budget it's a standout value.

Strengths
  • — Impressively full, balanced sound and bass for such a tiny speaker
  • — Excellent portability at just 274g, fits in a cup holder or jacket pocket
  • — IP67 waterproof and dustproof for shower and poolside use
Watch-outs
  • — Not powerful enough to fill a medium room or backyard
  • — Treble is slightly dampened by the speaker's upward-firing position
  • — Sparse features in the Sony Music Center app
$39.01 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker
Ranked #4 in Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100
Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker
2 sources$100as of Oct 17

The Soundcore Boom 2 is a mini boombox-style Bluetooth speaker with a carry handle, an 80 W peak output, IPX7 waterproofing and a claimed 24-hour battery. CNET found it delivers impressive sound for its size and gave it an Editors' Choice award for 2024, while TechGearLab measured 33 hours 48 minutes of playback and a peak of 99.8 dB. Both note it has no dust-resistance rating, and TechGearLab heard compression at full volume and found the highs a little dull. It suits people who want a loud, bass-heavy speaker for parties, the pool or a campsite; anyone who wants something pocketable or a neutral, detailed sound should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Ran for 33 hours 48 minutes in TechGearLab's battery test, beating its 24-hour rating
  • — Measured 99.8 dB at full volume, loud enough for a mid-sized gathering
  • — IPX7 waterproof and floats if it falls into water
Watch-outs
  • — Weighs 3.7 lb and takes up about half a backpack
  • — Sound compresses and distorts at the highest volume
  • — No dust-resistance rating
$100 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Sony SRS-XB100

The Sony SRS-XB100 has a built-in microphone for hands-free calls, where the JBL Clip 5 and Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 have no speakerphone. It carries by a detachable strap, while the Clip 5 uses an integrated carabiner. At 274 g it is lighter than the WONDERBOOM 4 at 424 g, its battery is rated at 16 hours against the WONDERBOOM 4's 14, and it costs less than both.

Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker

The Boom 2 is much larger than the JBL Clip 5: TechGearLab measured 3.7 lb against 0.6 lb, and the Clip 5 carries an IP67 dust and water rating where the Boom 2 is IPX7 waterproof only. In exchange, TechGearLab measured the Boom 2 at 100 dB to the Clip 5's 87 dB and recorded 33.8 hours of battery against 8.8. It is a bigger, louder alternative to the Sony SRS-XB100 and Anker Soundcore 2 for users who do not need a speaker that fits in a pocket.

Specs side-by-side

SpecSony SRS-XB100Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker
Battery LifeUp to 16 hours—
WaterproofingIP67 (waterproof + dustproof)—
Bluetooth5.3—
MicrophoneBuilt-in (hands-free calls)—
Weight274 g—
MountingDetachable multi-way strap—
ChargingUSB-CUSB-C, with USB-out port
Drivers46mm full-range + passive radiator—
Peak Output—80 W
Water Resistance—IPX7, floats
Measured Weight—3.7 lb
Dimensions—12.0 x 4.0 x 7.0 in
Claimed Battery Life—24 hours
Speaker Linking—PartyCast 2.0
Connectivity—Bluetooth, multipoint pairing
← See the full ranking of best portable bluetooth speakers under $100