Short answer: the JBL Charge 4 for better sound quality, the Sony ULT Field 1 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 4 ranks #50 of 136 medium speakers at $119.95. The Sony ULT Field 1 ranks #76 at $98, $21.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge 4 offers: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers. Watch for: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a Charge 3.
What the Sony ULT Field 1 offers: 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. Watch for: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble
Buy the JBL Charge 4 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Sony ULT Field 1 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 4 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the Sony ULT Field 1.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 4 | Sony ULT Field 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.95 Discontinued | $98.00 |
| Ranked | #50 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #76 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g | 1.4 lbs / 650 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) | 8.1" x 3" x 3" (206 x 77 x 76 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 30W RMS | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| App | - | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| EQ | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | AAC, SBC |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 4: $119.95 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers.
Cons: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a Charge 3. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 4 Review
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Sony ULT Field 1: $98.00 Amazon eBay
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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 650 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons