Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential if sound quality matters most, the Sony ULT Field 1 if price matters most. The JBL Flip Essential ranks #66 of 136 medium speakers at $130. The Sony ULT Field 1 ranks #76 at $98, $32 cheaper.
What the JBL Flip Essential offers: Aux input for wired sources. IPX7 rated. Genuinely portable at under a pound; a cheaper, more basic alternative to the Flip 5. Watch for: Less bass than a Flip 5.
What the Sony ULT Field 1 offers: 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. Watch for: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble
Buy the JBL Flip Essential if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Sony ULT Field 1 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Sony ULT Field 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $98.00 |
| Ranked | #66 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #76 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g | 1.4 lbs / 650 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 8.1" x 3" x 3" (206 x 77 x 76 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | - |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Stereo | - | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Charge 5 vs Klipsch Nashville
- Sonos Roam vs JBL Grip
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Sony ULT Field 1
- JBL Flip 7 vs Sony ULT Field 1
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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 Essential: $130 eBay
Pros: Aux input for wired sources. IPX7 rated. Genuinely portable at under a pound; a cheaper, more basic alternative to the Flip 5.
Cons: Less bass than a Flip 5.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Flip Essential vs Klipsch Nashville
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Flip Essential vs Sony XB23
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge Essential
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 5
- JBL Flip Essential vs Beats Pill 2024
- See all 73 comparisons
Sony ULT Field 1: $98.00 Amazon eBay
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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 650 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons