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

Sony SRS-XB100 vs Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4

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 Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 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 →
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4
Ranked #3 in Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4
2 sources$74.5as of Oct 11

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is the most rugged, take-anywhere speaker under $100, combining an IP67 rating with a floating, drop-proof body and omnidirectional 360-degree sound. It's punchy for its size and now charges over USB-C, which makes it a natural companion for a hike, pool or shower. The downsides are that it's only a small step up from the Wonderboom 3 and still lacks app support, but as a grab-and-go durable speaker it's hard to beat.

Strengths
  • — Omnidirectional 360-degree sound that stays consistent no matter how it's placed
  • — Modern USB-C charging finally replaces the old micro-USB port
  • — Compact, light and easy to clip or toss in any bag
Watch-outs
  • — Only a modest upgrade over the Wonderboom 3
  • — Still not supported by the Ultimate Ears companion app, so no EQ
  • — Not powerful enough to fill a large room or big backyard
$74.5 · 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.

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 shares an IP67 rating with the JBL Clip 5 and Sony SRS-XB100 and has a floating, drop-proof body with 360-degree sound. It has no app or EQ, where the Clip 5 offers a 5-band EQ through the JBL Portable app. At 424 g it is heavier than the 274 g SRS-XB100, and its 14-hour battery life sits between the Clip 5's 12 hours and the Anker Soundcore 2's 24 hours.

Specs side-by-side

SpecSony SRS-XB100Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4
Battery LifeUp to 16 hoursUp to 14 hours
WaterproofingIP67 (waterproof + dustproof)IP67 (waterproof + dustproof), floats
Bluetooth5.35.2
MicrophoneBuilt-in (hands-free calls)—
Weight274 g424 g
MountingDetachable multi-way strap—
ChargingUSB-CUSB-C
Drivers46mm full-range + passive radiatorDual drivers + dual passive radiators (360-degree)
Range—Up to 131 ft (40 m)
Modes—Outdoor Boost, Podcast mode
← See the full ranking of best portable bluetooth speakers under $100