Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0

Sony SRS-X33 Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£130Audio output power:20.00 WBattery life:12 hoursIP rating:IP67Bluetooth version:3.0Weight:730 g

Sony SRS-X33 Review: Compare 130 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Portable Speakers category and whether it is worth buying.

5.7/10

Overall score

Score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of products in the Portable Speakers category, based on technical analysis and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference for identifying the best products in the Portable Speakers category.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

5.7

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 96% of portable speakers
6.9

Value for money

Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

â–¼Worse than 95%
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

32%

5.4

Audio

20%

5.5

Battery

18%

6.3

Durability

16%

5.9

Connectivity

8%

5.2

Controls

3%

8.9

Design

3%

4.0

Smart features

â–¼Worse than 92%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £130
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of portable speaker Sony SRS-X33

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

32%

5.4

Audio

20%

5.5

Battery

18%

6.3

Durability

16%

5.9

Connectivity

8%

5.2

Controls

3%

8.9

Design

3%

4.0

Smart features

5.7
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you prefer products in the Portable Speakers category that have been chosen and reviewed by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Sony SRS-X33 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than 59.2% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

6.9
Audio output power
20 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 20 W which is higher than that of 46.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 11.4% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
34 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 34 mm which is smaller than that of 96.6% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.2% of portable speakers.
Number of drivers
2
This portable speaker has 2 drivers, which is more than 24.5% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 45.5% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
60 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 60 Hz which is lower than that of 43.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 9.2% of portable speakers.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
3
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 3 which is older than that of 85.4% of portable speakers and equal to that of 6.5% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
10 m
This portable speaker has a maximum Bluetooth range of 10 m which is longer than that of 4.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 70.2% of portable speakers.
Bluetooth profiles supported
A2DP; AVRCP; HFP; HSP
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Battery life
12 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 12 hours which is longer than that of 47.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 15.7% of portable speakers.
Battery capacity
1900 mAh
This portable speaker has a battery capacity of 1900 mAh which is smaller than that of 72.4% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Charging time
5 hours
This portable speaker has a charging time of 5 hours which is longer than that of 87% of portable speakers and equal to that of 7.7% of portable speakers.
Maximum charging input power
?
Built-in rechargeable battery
yes
This portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery. 18.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
IP rating
IP67
This portable speaker has an IP rating of IP67 which provides better ingress protection than 80% of portable speakers and the same ingress protection as 19.1% of portable speakers.
Water resistance
no
This portable speaker is not water resistant. 61.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
no
This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant. 51.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Waterproof depth rating
1 m
This portable speaker has a waterproof depth rating of 1 m which is deeper than that of 52.6% of portable speakers and equal to that of 47.4% of portable speakers.
Drop resistance
no
This portable speaker lacks an impact-resistance rating. 32.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
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On-device controls placement
top
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
no
This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control. 54% of portable speakers offer this feature.
No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
yes
This portable speaker supports fast pairing. 77.6% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Weight
730 g
This portable speaker weighs 730 g which is lighter than that of 52.2% of portable speakers.
Height
6 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 6 cm which is shorter than that of 88.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 1.2% of portable speakers.
Width
18.5 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 18.5 cm which is wider than that of 51.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.7% of portable speakers.
Depth
5.9 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 5.9 cm which is shallower than that of 75.6% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.4% of portable speakers.
Carry options
none
Show more
Companion app name
Sony | Music Center
Firmware updates
no
This portable speaker does not support firmware updates. 47.2% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Firmware update method
?
Voice assistant support
no
This portable speaker does not support voice assistants. 26.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

Sony SRS-X33 vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • Better ingress protection
    This portable speaker has better ingress protection than the average portable speaker (IP67 vs IPX5).
    IP67 vs IPX5
  • 1 m deeper waterproof rating
    This portable speaker has a deeper waterproof depth rating than the average portable speaker (1 m vs 0 m).
    1 m vs 0 m
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • Supports LDAC
    This portable speaker supports LDAC, while the average portable speaker does not support LDAC.
  • Supports fast pairing
    This portable speaker supports fast pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support fast pairing.
  • Supports NFC Bluetooth pairing
    This portable speaker supports NFC Bluetooth pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support NFC Bluetooth pairing.
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Supports LDAC
    This portable speaker supports LDAC, while the average portable speaker does not support LDAC.
  • Supports NFC Bluetooth pairing
    This portable speaker supports NFC Bluetooth pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support NFC Bluetooth pairing.
  • Supports AAC Bluetooth audio
    This portable speaker supports AAC Bluetooth audio, while the average portable speaker does not support AAC Bluetooth audio.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • Better ingress protection
    This portable speaker has better ingress protection than the average portable speaker (IP67 vs IPX5).
    IP67 vs IPX5
  • 1 m deeper waterproof rating
    This portable speaker has a deeper waterproof depth rating than the average portable speaker (1 m vs 0 m).
    1 m vs 0 m
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • Supports fast pairing
    This portable speaker supports fast pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support fast pairing.
  • 6.4 cm shorter
    This portable speaker is shorter than the average portable speaker (6 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    6 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 2.4 cm shallower
    This portable speaker is shallower than the average portable speaker (5.9 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    5.9 cm vs 8.3 cm
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Is not rated as dust resistant
    This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant, while the average portable speaker is dust resistant.
  • 4,000 Hz lower maximum frequency
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum frequency than the average portable speaker (16,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz).
    16,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 2 hours longer charging time
    This portable speaker has a longer charging time than the average portable speaker (5 hours vs 3 hours).
    5 hours vs 3 hours
  • 9 % higher total harmonic distortion
    This portable speaker has higher total harmonic distortion than the average portable speaker (10 % vs 1 %).
    10 % vs 1 %
  • Does not support smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • 16 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (34 mm vs 50 mm).
    34 mm vs 50 mm
  • 2 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (3 vs 5).
    3 vs 5
  • 8.8% worse value for money
    Sony SRS-X33 offers worse value for money than the average portable speaker (6.93 vs 7.5).
    6.93 vs 7.55
  • 4.21x less popular
    Sony SRS-X33 is less popular than the average portable speaker (1 vs 4.21).
    1 vs 4.21
  • 4,000 Hz lower maximum frequency
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum frequency than the average portable speaker (16,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz).
    16,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 9 % higher total harmonic distortion
    This portable speaker has higher total harmonic distortion than the average portable speaker (10 % vs 1 %).
    10 % vs 1 %
  • 16 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (34 mm vs 50 mm).
    34 mm vs 50 mm
  • 400 Hz lower microphone frequency limit
    This portable speaker has a lower microphone frequency limit than the average portable speaker (7,000 Hz vs 7,400 Hz).
    7,000 Hz vs 7,400 Hz
  • 2 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (3 vs 5).
    3 vs 5
  • 2 hours longer charging time
    This portable speaker has a longer charging time than the average portable speaker (5 hours vs 3 hours).
    5 hours vs 3 hours
  • 700 mAh less battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a smaller battery capacity than the average portable speaker (1900 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    1,900 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Is not rated as dust resistant
    This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant, while the average portable speaker is dust resistant.
  • 5 °C higher minimum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a higher minimum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (5 °C vs 0 °C).
    5 °C vs 0 °C
  • 5 °C lower maximum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (35 °C vs 40 °C).
    35 °C vs 40 °C
  • Does not support smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • Does not provide voice prompts
    This portable speaker does not provide voice prompts, while the average portable speaker provides voice prompts.
    No spoken status prompts; feedback is absent, visual, or tone-based.
  • 4 older
    This portable speaker was released earlier than the average portable speaker (2015 vs 2019).
    2015 vs 2019

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

C
cnet.com
16/07/2015
Summary of the review
M
musicphotolife.com
17/07/2015
Summary of the review
P
pcmag.com
27/07/2015
Summary of the review
U
uk.pcmag.com
27/07/2015
Summary of the review
A
au.pcmag.com
28/07/2015
Summary of the review
L
lesnumeriques.com
30/06/2015
Summary of the review
C
cnetfrance.fr
06/08/2015
Summary of the review
A
audiocasque.fr
21/11/2015
Summary of the review
C
culturasonora.es
05/09/2017
Summary of the review
T
tweakers.net
18/03/2019
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sony SRS-X33

  • Impressive, powerful sound quality and prominent bass for its compact size
  • Solid, durable build quality with an attractive minimalist design
  • Good battery life lasting up to 12 hours of moderate playback
  • Seamless Bluetooth connectivity with quick NFC tap-to-pair technology
  • Supports high-quality LDAC audio streaming codec
  • Convenient built-in speakerphone functionality for hands-free calls
  • Great overall value for money compared to more expensive alternatives

What customers don't like about Sony SRS-X33

  • Audio distorts and compresses noticeably when played at high volumes
  • Lacks physical music playback controls (like track skip) on the speaker itself
  • Does not include a protective carrying case or travel sleeve
  • Relatively heavy and dense for a ultra-portable mini speaker
  • Not ruggedized or waterproof, making it less suitable for harsh outdoor use

Verdict

The Sony SRS-X33 is a compact portable wireless speaker measuring 18.5 x 6 x 5.9 cm and weighing 730 g. It features a 20W output power driven by dual 34mm full-range drivers and dual passive radiators, operating over a frequency response range of 60 Hz to 16,000 Hz. Main pros include up to 12 hours of battery life, easy connectivity via Bluetooth 3.0 and NFC tap-to-pair, integrated hands-free speakerphone capability, and support for high-quality audio streaming via Sony's proprietary LDAC codec alongside standard AAC and SBC codecs. However, notable cons include audio distortion at top volume levels and the complete absence of physical track playback controls on the device itself.

Compare Sony SRS-X33 with other products in the Portable Speakers category

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