The Sony SRS-XB100 wireless speaker is a small, lightweight speaker you can pair with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth. It runs for up to 16 hours on a single charge, which, according to Sony, is enough to last most of a day outdoors. It has an IP67-rated, waterproof design, making it safe to use at the pool, in the shower, or out in the rain. The light build and included strap make it easy to clip onto a bag, a belt loop, or a tent pole.
A loud portable speaker you can tote around everywhere you go
The XB100 has a single full-range driver, a passive radiator, and bottom-ported bass ports that add low end. So the speaker puts out a clearer, fuller sound than you would expect from something this small, with enough bass for music in a kitchen, a bedroom, or a backyard. A Sound Diffusion Processor spreads the audio outward, so it feels less boxed-in than its size suggests. Still, it is a small, single-speaker unit, meant for personal or small-group listening rather than filling a large room.
A small indicator on the unit shows you how much battery is left as you go. That 16-hour rating means you can leave home with the speaker fully charged in the morning and keep it running through the evening without thinking about it. When it does run down, it recharges over a USB-C port tucked behind a flap that keeps water and dust out.
The IP67 rating on the SRS-XB100 makes it an ideal portable Bluetooth speaker for outdoor use. In addition to being completely dustproof, it can withstand brief submersion in water. To protect the color from fading with prolonged exposure to sunlight, Sony has applied a special UV coating. Plus, at approximately .8 lbs, the speaker is small enough to easily carry in a bag or cup holder without weighing you down.
Connecting to the speaker is quick thanks to Bluetooth with Fast Pair, which lets a nearby Android phone connect with a single tap. A built-in microphone with echo canceling lets you take hands-free calls through the speaker, so you do not have to reach for your phone. If you want a bigger sound, you can buy a second XB100 and link the two wirelessly for a true stereo pair.
The Sony SRS-XB100 Wireless Bluetooth Portable Speaker is a durable, grab-and-go speaker for music around the house or out by the water. At $43, down from $65, it is a great deal for anyone who wants long battery life and a waterproof build in a speaker small enough to take anywhere, as long as you are not expecting it to fill a large room.