Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 for better sound quality, the Sony ULT Field 3 for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ranks #55 of 136 medium speakers at $184. The Sony ULT Field 3 ranks #57 at $148, $36 cheaper.
The case for the Bose Soundlink Mini 2: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
What the Sony ULT Field 3 offers: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. Watch for: Sounds a bit hollow, a bit boosted in the treble.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Sony ULT Field 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony ULT Field 3 is rated for 24 hours versus 10 hours for the Bose Soundlink Mini 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sony ULT Field 3 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | Sony ULT Field 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $184.00 Discontinued | $148 |
| Ranked | #55 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #57 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange | 1x 20mm tweeter + 1x 86mm x 46mm woofer |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) | 10.1" x 4.4" x 3.1" (256 x 113 x 79 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | USB-C |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Yes |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1.5A) |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Output Power | - | 27W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Charge 4 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Beats Pill 2024
- Huawei Sound Joy vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Sonos Roam 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Mini 2: $184.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech!
- Patricio Benadon: Bose SoundLink Flex vs. Mini 2 SE. Music audio quality sound test. Listen 4 different genres!
- techkiste.net: Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs the world ;) (Denon Envaya DSB250, Vifa Reykjavik, iRoar Go)
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Mini 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony ULT Field 3: $148 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. 24 hour battery life. App with 10-band EQ. Party Connect with up to 100 speakers. USB-C in/out for charging your phone.
Cons: Sounds a bit hollow, a bit boosted in the treble. Custom EQ and the ULT bass-boost button can’t be used together - turning on ULT disables the EQ. Bass is very weak with ULT off. Lost to the JBL Charge 6 in a side-by-side comparison despite being the larger speaker.
Full Sony ULT Field 3 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 4.4" x 3.1" (256 x 113 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 20mm tweeter + 1x 86mm x 46mm woofer |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 27W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Sony XB33
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Turtlebox Ranger
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Beats Pill 2024
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs JBL Flip 5
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs JBL Flip Essential
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Sonos Roam 2
- See all 33 comparisons