Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2 for sound, the Sony ULT Field 3 for ruggedness. The Charge Essential 2 doubles as a power bank but is not stereo, while the Sony is IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. The Sony also sounds a bit hollow with boosted treble, so the JBL is the safer listen.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sony ULT Field 3 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Sony ULT Field 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74.91 | $208.00 |
| Ranked | #39 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #71 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1.5A) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 10.1” x 4.4” x 3.1” (256 x 113 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 1x 20mm tweeter + 1x 86mm x 46mm woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 27W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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