Short answer: the JBL Flip 7, if you are buying new. The JBL Flip 4 ranks higher than the Sony ULT Field 1 (#83 vs #100 of 175 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Flip 7, is rated 4.2/5 at $89.95 and is still sold new.
The JBL Flip 4 is the lighter option. At 1.1 lbs (510 g), JBL Flip 4 combines 2x 40mm fullrange with Bluetooth and aux. At 1.1 lbs (510 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Sony ULT Field 1 at 1.4 lbs (650 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony ULT Field 1 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Sony ULT Field 1. The tradeoff: Battery failures are common.
The case for the Sony ULT Field 1: IP67 rated, survives drops and 1m submersion. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip 4 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Flip 4 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The tradeoff: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble.
Buy the JBL Flip 7, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Flip 4; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Sony ULT Field 1.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 4 | Sony ULT Field 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70 Discontinued | $138.00 |
| Ranked | #83 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #100 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (510 g) | 1.4 lbs (650 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.8” x 2.6” (175 x 70 x 65 mm) | 8.1” x 3” x 3” (206 x 77 x 76 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Flip 4
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Flip 4
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Flip 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 Flip 4: $70 Discontinued Amazon $70 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025. See every JBL Flip generation.
Pros: At 510 g, JBL Flip 4 combines 2x 40mm fullrange with Bluetooth and aux. Claimed 12 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx7 protection, up to 92db and single-box playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 66Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 66Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 4 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.8” x 2.6” (175 x 70 x 65 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (510 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony ULT Field 1: $138.00 Amazon $138.00 Lowest Sony $139.99 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 →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 4 vs Sony ULT Field 1 😧 $200 vs $128 Cylinder Bluetooth Speaker Matchup More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Storytripper HD: Huawei Soundjoy 2 vs Edifier ES60 vs Sony ULT Field 1 More from storytripperhd →
- New Stuff TV 2: Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Flip 6, JBL Charge 5 & Soundcore Motion 300 More from NewStuffTV1 →
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