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 3 ranks #71, rated 3.4/5, and costs $208, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The JBL Charge Essential 3 SE is the better-sounding, lighter option. A fully waterproof speaker with plenty of volume and bass, long battery life, a phone charging port, app EQ and Auracast pairing. At 2.1 lbs (960 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Sony ULT Field 3 at 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg). 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 case for the Sony ULT Field 3: A rugged waterproof stereo speaker with long battery life, a detailed app EQ, a shoulder strap and a phone charging port. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. Watch for: Sounds a bit hollow, a bit boosted in the treble.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. 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.
Want more options? Browse the full 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 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $208.00 |
| Ranked | #42 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #71 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1.5A) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast) | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| 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 | 52mm x 90mm racetrack woofer, 20mm tweeter, two passive radiators | 1x 20mm tweeter + 1x 86mm x 46mm woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 40W total (30W woofer + 10W tweeter) | 27W |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A) | USB-C |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Charge Essential 3 SE: reviews by Mateusz Cholewa.
- Sony ULT Field 3: reviews by GYMCADDY and Mark Ellis.
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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