How to Charge Sony XB 21

This piece covers how to charge the Sony XB 21. Do this easily through the micro USB power in port, shown in the pictures below. Note that you can still play your XB 21 as it recharges, without raising the charging time by too much.

First, pick a powerful enough USB adapter, as no charger comes with this particular Sony BT speaker. Next, connect a medium to high current USB cable (one that easily handles 1.5 amps) between the speaker and that adapter (the speaker comes with a suitable but short micro USB to USB-A cord). Then, plug the charger into a working wall outlet. Finally, after four hours or so, your XB 21 finishes recharging. So it’s ready to play once more for up to twelve (12) hours before needing another charge-up.

How to Charge Sony XB 21, Step by Step

1. Choose Correct Size AC or Car Adapter

The charger you use should provide 5 volts and at least 0.5 amps (2.5 watts). But for fastest results, use one that can deliver 5 volts at 1.5 amps (7.5 watts). So with that in mind, we use here the Key Power model HDD15-3-PD USB charging station. Now as we said earlier, this speaker needs roughly one and a half an amps of current to recharge fully in the shortest time. Thus, we chose this charger, because it supplies way more than enough capacity to do the job. Now you could use a small charger (0.5 amp), but this would increase the recharge time to more than ten (10) hours. Thus, we choose the higher current option.

2. Power OFF the Unit

Note that the XB 21 still charges when running. But depending on how much above-and-beyond recharging headroom that your charger supplies, the speaker might charge a trifle faster when turned OFF.

3. Plug the Micro USB Cord into the Speaker

First, open the water resistant port door.

Picture of the closed port door on the Sony XB 21. — The closed port door on the Sony XB 21.

This exposes the micro USB input port as we see next.

Picture of the micro USB DC power input port on the Sony XB 21. — The micro USB DC power input port on the Sony XB 21.

Then, plug the small end of the cable into the port on the back of the speaker, as we see in the next shot.

Picture of a charging cord inserted into the speaker. — A charging cord inserted into the speaker.

4. Plug the Other End of the Cable into your Charger Adapter to Continue with How to Charge Sony XB 21

Next, connect the large end of the cord to the AC or car adapter.

5. Plug the USB Adapter into a Working Wall Receptacle

Now that we connected the XB 21 and our adapter, we then plug the mains end of the adapter into a working AC outlet, as we show next. We connected ours to a power strip surge protector.

Picture of the Sony XB 21 connected and charging. — The Sony XB 21 connected and charging.

The status lamp lights up solid orange on the speaker. And while no battery status gauge shows percentage of charge, the glowing CHARGE lamp means that charging is occurring, as shown next.

Picture of the -CHARGE- light glowing in the back. — The -CHARGE- lamp glowing in the back.

Picture of the glowing -CHARGE- light on top. — The -CHARGE- lamp on top glowing.

6. Let the XB 21 Charge Until the Orange CHARGE Light Goes Out

Full battery charging is complete when the solid glowing CHARGE lamp on the top panel, behind the Power button turns off, as shown next.

Picture of the dark -CHARGE- light. — The dark -CHARGE- lamp.

7. Unplug the Micro USB Cord from the Speaker,

Also, close the port cap to maintain water resistance.

Picture of the ports door closed on the Sony XB 21. — The ports door closed on the Sony XB 21.

8. Done with How to Charge Sony XB 21 !

We have now fully charged this Sony Bluetooth speaker.

Finally, repeat this recharging every twelve hours of play, or any time the 21` goes dead, to keep the battery in top condition for years to come.

References

1. Official Sony XB 21 Support Page
2. Where to Buy the Sony XB 21

Revision History

- 2023-04-14: First published.