Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Plus for the higher ranking, the Sony ULT Field 5 for the lower price. The Bose SoundLink Plus ranks #22 of 75 large speakers at $269. The Sony ULT Field 5 ranks #40 at $198, $71 cheaper.
What the Bose SoundLink Plus gets right: IP67 rated, IP67 water/dustproof. The catch: Boosted thuddy bass, but not as deep as the SoundLink Flex and you should probably just buy one of those instead if you want a Bose.
On the Sony ULT Field 5 side: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. The tradeoff: Bass not as deep as others in the category, and sound quality overall is just okay.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Plus if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Sony ULT Field 5 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Plus | Sony ULT Field 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 | $198 |
| Ranked | #22 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #40 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (up to 2 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| EQ | No | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 9.1" x 3.9" x 3.4" (231 x 99 x 86 mm) | 12.6" x 5.67" x 4.92" (320 x 144 x 125 mm) |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 27W |
| Drivers | 1x 2.5" (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78" (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators | 2x 46mm tweeters + 1x 79mm x 107mm woofer |
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Plus: $269.00 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, IP67 water/dustproof. Close to 20 hour battery life. Vibrant sound with booming bass, clean mids. Bluetooth 5.4 with good range. Premium tactile grille, smooth silicone. Quality build at $269.
Cons: Boosted thuddy bass, but not as deep as the SoundLink Flex and you should probably just buy one of those instead if you want a Bose.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 9.1" x 3.9" x 3.4" (231 x 99 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2.5" (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78" (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | Yes (up to 2 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Sony ULT Field 5: $198 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. 25 hour battery life. App with 10-band EQ. Party Connect with up to 100 speakers. USB-C in/out for charging your phone.
Cons: Bass not as deep as others in the category, and sound quality overall is just okay. ULT button makes a really loud tone when pressed. Just an okay speaker.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 5.67" x 4.92" (320 x 144 x 125 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 46mm tweeters + 1x 79mm x 107mm woofer |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 27W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Danny Pops: Don’t TOUCH that ULT Button! Sony ULT Field 5 Review
- Mark Ellis Reviews: Sony just changed summer sound 🤨 | Sony ULT Field 5 & 3 Review
- Dominik Reviews: Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - Outdoor Sound Test - Sony shines or not?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Sony ULT Field 5 vs Anker SoundCore Boom 2 - listening test
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Marshall Stockwell 2
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Mee audio PartySPKR
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Sony SRS-XG300
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Teufel Rockster Cross
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Ultimate Ears Everboom
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Bogasing S8 Pro
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs LG PN7
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Marshall Middleton
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Sony SRS-XB43
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Ultimate Ears Epicboom
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Dockin D Fine+ 2
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Klipsch Detroit
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Marshall Kilburn II
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Mifa WildCamping
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Minirig mk2 with subwoofer
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Minirig mk3 with subwoofer
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Minirig mk4 with subwoofer
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Treblab HD-Max
- Links
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.