Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2. It ranks #39 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $74.91; the Sony ULT Field 1 ranks #100, rated 3.1/5, and costs $138, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The JBL Charge Essential 2 is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. A tough, compact 2.1 lbs (930 g) speaker with IPX7 water resistance, USB-C charging, a USB-A power-bank output and a claimed 20-hour battery life. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Sony ULT Field 1. Watch for: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
The Sony ULT Field 1 is the lighter choice. IP67 rated, survives drops and 1m submersion. At 1.4 lbs (650 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge Essential 2 at 2.1 lbs (930 g). It links with other speakers (Party Connect up to 100 speakers), which the JBL Charge Essential 2 cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. The tradeoff: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sony ULT Field 1 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Sony ULT Field 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74.91 | $138.00 |
| Ranked | #39 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #100 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 1.4 lbs (650 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 8.1” x 3” x 3” (206 x 77 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | AAC, SBC |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Minirig 4
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge Essential 2: $74.91 Sam’s Club $74.91 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked lower, rated 3.7/5, released Apr 2026. It adds app control, adjustable EQ, stereo pairing and party mode.
Older model: the JBL Charge Essential (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge Essential generation.
Pros: A tough, compact 930g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, USB-C charging, a USB-A power-bank output and a claimed 20-hour battery life. It delivers much of the JBL Charge 5’s familiar punch and volume in a simpler package, with bass that reaches roughly 55Hz for this size. Measured bass extension of ~55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option. It plays mono, has a little less bass authority than the JBL Charge 5, and its IPX7 rating does not promise dust protection. Choose it for a good sale price, not for extra features.
Full JBL Charge Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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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 →
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