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-XB40 Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£190Audio output power:20.00 WBattery life:24 hoursIP rating:IPX5Bluetooth version:4.2Weight:1500 g

Sony SRS-XB40 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.

7.1/10

Overall score

Score
7.1/ 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%

7.1

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–²Better than 74% of portable speakers
7.8

Value for money

Value for money
7.8/ 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%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

â–²Better than 68%
7.1

Technical score

Technical score
7.1/ 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%

6.8

Audio

20%

8.8

Battery

18%

6.4

Durability

16%

6.1

Connectivity

8%

8.6

Controls

3%

7.7

Design

3%

5.1

Smart features

â–²Better than 81%
?

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~ £190
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-XB40

Technical score
Technical score
7.1/ 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%

6.8

Audio

20%

8.8

Battery

18%

6.4

Durability

16%

6.1

Connectivity

8%

8.6

Controls

3%

7.7

Design

3%

5.1

Smart features

7.1
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-XB40 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
7.8/ 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%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

7.8
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
61 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 61 mm which is larger than that of 68.2% 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
20 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 20 Hz which is lower than that of 84.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 14% of portable speakers.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
4.2
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 4.2 which is older than that of 53.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 17.8% 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; SPP
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
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Battery life
24 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 24 hours which is longer than that of 88.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 6.4% of portable speakers.
Battery capacity
5,200 mAh
This portable speaker has a battery capacity of 5,200 mAh which is larger than that of 82.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 4.9% of portable speakers.
Charging time
4 hours
This portable speaker has a charging time of 4 hours which is longer than that of 67% of portable speakers and equal to that of 19.3% of portable speakers.
Maximum charging input power
19 W
This portable speaker has a maximum charging input power of 19 W which is higher than that of 84.6% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.5% of portable speakers.
Built-in rechargeable battery
yes
This portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery. 18.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
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IP rating
IPX5
This portable speaker has an IP rating of IPX5 which provides worse ingress protection than 62.3% of portable speakers and the same ingress protection as 15.3% of portable speakers.
Water resistance
yes
This portable speaker is water resistant. 38.3% 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
?
Drop resistance
?
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On-device controls placement
?
Touchscreen
?
Smartphone app control
yes
This portable speaker supports smartphone app control. 46.1% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Compatible mobile app provides speaker control or settings.
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.
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Weight
1,500 g
This portable speaker weighs 1,500 g which is heavier than that of 65% of portable speakers and equal to that of 1.2% of portable speakers.
Height
10 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 10 cm which is shorter than that of 60.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 1.1% of portable speakers.
Width
27.9 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 27.9 cm which is wider than that of 75.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Depth
10.5 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 10.5 cm which is deeper than that of 63.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.3% of portable speakers.
Carry options
none
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Companion app name
Sony | Music Center
Firmware updates
yes
This portable speaker supports firmware updates. 52.9% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
Firmware update method
OTA; App
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.
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Sony SRS-XB40 vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 2 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (3 vs 1).
    3 vs 1
  • 12 hours longer battery life
    This portable speaker has a longer battery life than the average portable speaker (24 hours vs 12 hours).
    24 hours vs 12 hours
  • 40 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (20 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    20 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 2,600 mAh more battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a larger battery capacity than the average portable speaker (5,200 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    5,200 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • 3 more adjustable EQ bands
    This portable speaker has more adjustable EQ bands than the average portable speaker (3 vs 0).
    3 vs 0
  • 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.
  • 9 W higher charging input power
    This portable speaker has higher charging input power than the average portable speaker (19 W vs 10 W).
    19 W vs 10 W
  • 40 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (20 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    20 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • 11 mm larger main driver
    This portable speaker has a larger main driver than the average portable speaker (61 mm vs 50 mm).
    61 mm vs 50 mm
  • 2 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (3 vs 1).
    3 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.
  • 12 hours longer battery life
    This portable speaker has a longer battery life than the average portable speaker (24 hours vs 12 hours).
    24 hours vs 12 hours
  • 2,600 mAh more battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a larger battery capacity than the average portable speaker (5,200 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    5,200 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • 9 W higher charging input power
    This portable speaker has higher charging input power than the average portable speaker (19 W vs 10 W).
    19 W vs 10 W
  • Has a power bank function
    This portable speaker has a power bank function, while the average portable speaker does not have a power bank function.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • 3 more adjustable EQ bands
    This portable speaker has more adjustable EQ bands than the average portable speaker (3 vs 0).
    3 vs 0
  • 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.
  • Supports party mode
    This portable speaker supports party mode, while the average portable speaker does not support party mode.
    Supports synchronized multi-speaker party/group playback.
  • Has a sleep timer
    This portable speaker has a sleep timer, while the average portable speaker does not have a sleep timer.
    A selectable timer can stop playback or power the speaker down.
  • Supports firmware updates
    This portable speaker supports firmware updates, while the average portable speaker does not support firmware updates.
    Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
  • Is not rated as dust resistant
    This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant, while the average portable speaker is dust resistant.
  • 1 hours longer charging time
    This portable speaker has a longer charging time than the average portable speaker (4 hours vs 3 hours).
    4 hours vs 3 hours
  • 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
  • 0.8 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • 700 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (1,500 g vs 800 g).
    1,500 g vs 800 g
  • 4.21x less popular
    Sony SRS-XB40 is less popular than the average portable speaker (1 vs 4.21).
    1 vs 4.21
  • 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
  • 9.8 cm wider
    This portable speaker is wider than the average portable speaker (27.9 cm vs 18.1 cm).
    27.9 cm vs 18.1 cm
  • 4.21x less popular
    Sony SRS-XB40 is less popular than the average portable speaker (1 vs 4.21).
    1 vs 4.21
  • 2.11x more expensive
    Sony SRS-XB40 is more expensive than the average portable speaker (£190 vs £90).
    £190 vs £90
  • 0.8 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • 1 hours longer charging time
    This portable speaker has a longer charging time than the average portable speaker (4 hours vs 3 hours).
    4 hours vs 3 hours
  • 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
  • 700 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (1,500 g vs 800 g).
    1,500 g vs 800 g
  • 9.8 cm wider
    This portable speaker is wider than the average portable speaker (27.9 cm vs 18.1 cm).
    27.9 cm vs 18.1 cm
  • 2.2 cm deeper
    This portable speaker is deeper than the average portable speaker (10.5 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    10.5 cm vs 8.3 cm

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

U
uk.pcmag.com
06/04/2017
Summary of the review
P
pcmag.com
06/04/2017
Summary of the review
M
musicphotolife.com
26/08/2017
Summary of the review
P
pocket-lint.com
28/09/2017
Summary of the review
T
techradar.com
19/12/2017
Summary of the review
E
eftm.com
19/04/2017
Summary of the review
C
criticreviewer.com
04/10/2017
Summary of the review
T
thetechrevolutionist.com
14/12/2017
Summary of the review
S
soundguys.com
17/04/2018
Summary of the review
C
cnet.com
04/01/2017
Summary of the review
T
techtest.org
30/07/2017
Summary of the review
E
elmundo.es
13/07/2017
Summary of the review
J
joypad.ch
25/11/2017
Summary of the review
M
mistergadget.tech
31/05/2017
Summary of the review
H
hardware.info
22/02/2018
Summary of the review
F
fhm.nl
08/06/2017
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sony SRS-XB40

  • Powerful volume output and deep, thumping bass via the Extra Bass feature
  • Long-lasting battery life offering up to 24 hours of playback
  • Fun, customizable LED perimeter and driver lighting that syncs to the music beat
  • Power-bank functionality via a built-in USB-A port to charge external smartphones
  • IPX5 water-resistance rating protecting the device from accidental splashes and rain
  • Easy wireless connectivity through physical Bluetooth 4.2 controls and quick NFC pairing

What customers don't like about Sony SRS-XB40

  • Heavy and bulky design weighing around 1.5 kg, making it less backpack-friendly
  • Requires a frustrating proprietary DC charging brick instead of universal USB-C or micro-USB
  • Audio signature heavily favors lows, lacking the crisp highs and accuracy desired by audiophiles
  • Weak speakerphone microphone quality that requires users to stand very close to be heard
  • Physical volume control buttons on the top panel are completely unlit and hard to find in the dark
  • Not fully submersible in water compared to competitors with higher IPX7 ratings

Verdict

The Sony SRS-XB40 is a rugged portable Bluetooth 4.2 speaker featuring dual 61mm full-range drivers, dual passive radiators, a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency response, and high-fidelity LDAC codec support. Key advantages include an impressive 24-hour battery life, customizable multi-colored line lights with flashing strobes, a built-in power bank via its USB-A port, NFC quick pairing, and an IPX5 water-resistant design. However, its significant 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) weight reduces portability, the heavy bass signature can occasionally muffle mid and high frequencies, and it relies on a bulky proprietary AC power adapter rather than modern USB charging.

Compare Sony SRS-XB40 with other products in the Portable Speakers category

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