JBL Go 2 vs Sony SRS-XB10 - Which One to Buy?
If you are looking for a very small and portable speaker, you have probably come across the JBL Go 2, which is the smallest outdoor speaker in the JBL’s lineup.
Today, I will compare it to the Sony’s small outdoor speaker the Sony SRS-XB10.
Both are durable, compact outdoor speakers, so let’s see which one is the winner in this JBL Go 2 vs Sony SRS-XB10 comparison review.
Bluetooth range
Battery life
Water protection
Pros
Cons
Bottom line

Bluetooth range:
- 70 feet
Battery life:
- 70% volume: 6 hours 40 minutes
- Maximum volume: 3 hours 30 minutes
Water protection:
- IPX7 certification
- It can be submerged into 1-meter-deep water for 30 minutes
Pros:
- Ultra-portable size
- IPX7 water protection
- Long Bluetooth range
Cons:
- Weak lows
- No battery level indicator
- No daisy chain, no JBL Connect+
Bottom line:
I suggest buying the Go 2 if you need a very compact device or full water protection. Otherwise, I recommend the XB10 due to its bigger sound and longer battery life.

Bluetooth range:
- 20 feet
Battery life:
- 70% volume: 15 hours
- Maximum volume: 6 hours 30 minutes
Water protection:
- IPX5 certification
- Splash-proof.
- It can be used in rain or as a shower speaker, however, you cannot submerge it into the water.
Pros:
- Deep, powerful bass
- Strong battery life
- NFC tap-to-pair
- Two devices can be connected together
Cons:
- Short Bluetooth range
- Muddy treble
- It tends to distort
Bottom line:
While the Go 2 has a clearer sound and full water protection. I think from the two the XB10 is still a better choice due to its fuller sound and much longer battery life.
Price
From the two, the JBL Go 2 is the cheaper device.
Click here to check the current price of the JBL Go 2
Click here to check the current price of the Sony SRS-XB10
You can find the reviews of the speakers here:
Both speakers come in a small box with only some papers and a micro USB cable included.
In terms of colors, you have various options you can choose from.
The XB10 is available in 6 different colors, while the Go 2 in 12.
The Design
The Go 2 is built into a small, boxy body with smoothened edges.
It is really convenient to hold in hand and it fits nicely even into smaller pockets.
The XB10 is a much bulkier and heavier device.
Due to its can-like shape, it is not so easy to carry it around in a pocket or in a slimmer notebook bag.
However, on the other hand, it fits nicely into any drink holder slots of cars or bags.

Both speakers got a rubberized, durable outer coating, which seems to be resistant to dents and scratches.
Their design is youthful and sporty, you can see immediately that they were designed for outdoor usage.
Music Control
By the Go 2, the control buttons are placed on the top of the speaker, while by the XB10 they are on the side.
They are not normal buttons by either of the speakers, just painted flat signs by the XB10 and carved markings by the Go 2, so it is not so easy to use them especially in low-light conditions.
In terms of music control, both speakers provide a limited music control capability.
Which means you can pause/play the music and jump to the next song, however, you cannot forward/backward in a song or go back to the previously played song.
They have a built-in microphone, so they can be used as a speakerphone to answer phone calls.
Water Protection
The Go 2 got an IPX7 water protection, which means it is completely waterproof, it can be submerged into 1-meter-deep water for 30 minutes.
In contrast, the Sony XB10 is only splash-proof, so you can use it in rain or wash it off, however, it cannot be submerged into water.
So the Go 2 is a better choice if you want to use the speaker at the beach or at a swimming pool.
Attachment Option
The XB10 comes with a detachable strap, which has a plastic ring on its end.
It is useful to hang the speaker on a hook and the plastic ring can also be used as a stand what you can lay the speaker on and direct the sound towards you for example if you are watching a movie.
Unfortunately, the Go 2 does not have any attachment option, you cannot even attach a lanyard to it.

Connectivity, Bluetooth range
Both devices come with an audio jack input port, so besides Bluetooth, you can connect them also via cable.
In addition, the Sony XB10 features an NFC chip, so if you have an NFC-enabled device, you can just touch it to the speaker and they will automatically connect together.
This is a nice, extra feature, which makes the pairing process much easier.
In my outdoor test, I measured 20 feet Bluetooth range by the XB10 and 70 feet range by the Go 2.
So the Go 2 has a much longer Bluetooth range and it is a much better choice if you plan to use your speaker far from the Bluetooth source.
One advantage of the XB10 that if you have two devices you can connect them together for an amplified or a stereo sound, which is not possible with the Go 2.

Battery Life
In my test, when I played various types of songs on the speakers at 70% volume, I measured 6 hours 40 minutes playtime by the Go 2 and 15 hours by the XB10.
Repeating the same test at maximum volume, the Go 2 could play for 3 hours 30 minutes and the XB10 for 6 hours 30 minutes.
So in terms of battery life, the XB10 is the clear winner.
Unfortunately, none of the speakers have a battery level indicator, so you do not know the remaining battery level percentage.
JBL Go 2 vs Sony SRS-XB10 Sound Test
Despite its compact size, the XB10 has an outstanding bass production and a full sound with a strong low end.
Its bass level is definitely above the average and it is much stronger than the bass production of the Go 2.
The Go 2 sounds quite flat compared to the XB10.
However, checking the sound clarity, the Go 2 sounds much clearer and brighter, unfortunately, the XB10 can be pretty noisy and it is prone to distortion.
By some songs, it can distort quite badly, which can really deteriorate the listening experience.
Also, it sounds a bit muddy, the Go 2 is stronger in vocals and higher frequencies.
Conclusion
Last time when I compared the XB10 with the original JBL Go it was easy to declare the XB10 as a winner because of its more advanced features.
However, since then, the JBL Go 2 got a more stylish look and a full water protection, so now the decision is not so obvious.
In terms of water protection and Bluetooth range, the Go 2 is the winner and I also prefer its clearer overall sound.
But I think I would still choose the XB10 from the two and mainly because of its much longer battery life and stronger bass production.
Click here to check the current price or buy the JBL Go 2
Click here to check the current price or buy the Sony SRS-XB10
If you want to know more about the speakers click here for the full reviews:
Alternatives
One alternative of the speakers is the JBL Clip 3 which is the bigger brother of the Go 2, with a better sound and an improved battery life.
It also has a nice, integrated carabiner which comes really handy when you carry the speaker around.
If you want a good bass production in a compact size, then the Bose SoundLink Micro can be a great choice.
It has a small, durable outdoor speaker with an excellent sound.
Its only disadvantage is its relatively short battery life and high price tag.
Still in the same category but with a slightly larger body, you can find the UE Wonderboom.
The Wonderboom has a big 360° sound with a strong bass production and deep lows.
It is also completely waterproof and protected from dust.