Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. It ranks #42 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $199.95. The Sony ULT Field 1 ranks #99, rated 3.1/5, at $138, $61.95 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Charge Essential 3 SE is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. A fully waterproof speaker with plenty of volume and bass, long battery life, a phone charging port, app EQ and Auracast pairing. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Sony ULT Field 1. Watch for: In side-by-side listening against the JBL Charge 6, its bass is weaker and less stable and distorts on bass-heavy tracks even with the bass turned down in the app, while a narrow boost in the upper mids makes it sound less natural.
The Sony ULT Field 1 is the lighter option. A tough, waterproof small speaker that survives drops, with long real world battery life and stereo pairing. At 1.4 lbs (650 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE at 2.1 lbs (960 g). Watch for: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $61.95 you would save on the Sony ULT Field 1 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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 Essential 3 SE | Sony ULT Field 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $138.00 |
| Ranked | #42 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #99 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast) | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 1.4 lbs (650 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | AAC, SBC |
| 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 | 52mm x 90mm racetrack woofer, 20mm tweeter, two passive radiators | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator |
| Amplifier Power | 40W total (30W woofer + 10W tweeter) | - |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A) | USB-C |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Charge Essential 3 SE: reviews by Mateusz Cholewa.
- Sony ULT Field 1: reviews by Techder Audios, Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More and Storytripper HD.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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