Short answer: the JBL Charge 6, if you are buying new. The JBL Charge 2 ranks higher than the Sony ULT Field 1 (#93 vs #100 of 175 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Charge 6, is rated 4.2/5 at $119.95 and is still sold new.
Why pick the JBL Charge 2: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony ULT Field 1 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Sony ULT Field 1. The catch: Bass compression at higher volumes.
The Sony ULT Field 1 is the lighter, tougher pick. IP67 rated, survives drops and 1m submersion. At 1.4 lbs (650 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge 2 at 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg). It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the JBL Charge 2. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge 2 lacks. The catch: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble.
Buy the JBL Charge 6, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Charge 2; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Sony ULT Field 1.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 2 | Sony ULT Field 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 Discontinued | $138.00 |
| Ranked | #93 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #100 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 8.5” x 3.4” x 3” (216 x 86 x 76 mm) | 8.1” x 3” x 3” (206 x 77 x 76 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 15W RMS | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| App | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) | 1.4 lbs (650 g) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Charge 2:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Charge 2
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge 2
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 2: $149 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025. See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. Social Mode pairs up to 3 phones; works as a speakerphone.
Cons: Bass compression at higher volumes. Warm sound. slightly rolled off treble. Not as loud as other speakers. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 15W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.5” x 3.4” x 3” (216 x 86 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony ULT Field 1: $138.00 Amazon $138.00 eBay
Older models: the Sony XB23 (ranked higher, rated 3.3/5), the Sony SRS-XB20 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5), the Sony SRS-XB21 (ranked lower, rated 2.7/5) and the Sony SRS-XE200 (ranked lower, rated 2.5/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Same family: the Sony ULT Field 7 (larger model, rated 3.2/5), the Sony ULT Tower 10 (larger model, rated 3.9/5), the Sony ULT Field 3 (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5), the Sony ULT Field 5 (larger model, rated 3.5/5), the Sony ULT Tower 5 (larger model, rated 4.5/5), the Sony ULT Tower 7 (larger model, rated 4.7/5), the Sony ULT Tower 9 (larger model, rated 4.2/5) and the Sony ULT Tower Max (larger model, rated 4.8/5).
Pros: IP67 rated, survives drops and 1m submersion. Real-world battery around 28+ hours with ULT (bass boost) mode off. Stereo-pairs with a second ULT Field 1.
Cons: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble
Full Sony ULT Field 1 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.1” x 3” x 3” (206 x 77 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (650 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Techder Audios: Sony ULT Field 1 VS Teufel Rockster Go 2 “CLOSE CALL?” More from techderaudios →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 4 vs Sony ULT Field 1 😧 $200 vs $128 Cylinder Bluetooth Speaker Matchup More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Storytripper HD: Huawei Soundjoy 2 vs Edifier ES60 vs Sony ULT Field 1 More from storytripperhd →
- New Stuff TV 2: Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Flip 6, JBL Charge 5 & Soundcore Motion 300 More from NewStuffTV1 →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Grip
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Treblab HD77
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Tribit Xsound Go
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Tronsmart Mirtune S100
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs KEF Muo gen2
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Tronsmart Mirtune C3
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Tribit Xsound Surf
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Sonos Roam
- See all 140 comparisons