Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Charge 5 ranks #30 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $114.95; the Sony ULT Field 5 ranks #59 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $348.
The JBL Charge 5 is the lighter option. A rugged, fully waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound and long battery life that also charges your phone. At 2.1 lbs (960 g) it weighs much less than the Sony ULT Field 5 at 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg). The tradeoff: Shouty upper mids.
What the Sony ULT Field 5 does well: A tough, waterproof party speaker with loud, bass focused output, an aux input, a power bank and a long battery. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 5. The catch: It prioritizes bass and loudness over fidelity: reviews find the upper mids and highs subdued, with limited stereo separation and soundstage depth.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 ($114.95) for a medium speaker; the Sony ULT Field 5 ($348) suits a large speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | Sony ULT Field 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $348.00 |
| Ranked | #30 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 12.6” x 5.7” x 4.9” (320 x 144 x 125 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 46mm tweeters + 1x 79mm x 107mm woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 27W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
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