Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 3 for the higher ranking, the JBL Flip Essential for the lower price. The Sony ULT Field 3 ranks #57 of 134 medium speakers at $148. The JBL Flip Essential ranks #66 at $130, $18 cheaper.
What the JBL Flip Essential gets right: Aux input for wired sources. The tradeoff: Less bass than a Flip 5.
On the Sony ULT Field 3 side: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. The catch: Sounds a bit hollow, a bit boosted in the treble.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Sony ULT Field 3 if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Sony ULT Field 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $148 |
| Ranked | #66 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #57 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g | 2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 1x 20mm tweeter + 1x 86mm x 46mm woofer |
| Dimensions | 6.65" x 2.52" x 2.52" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 10.1" x 4.5" x 3.1" (256 x 113 x 79 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | 27W |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Power Bank | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| TWS | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip Essential: $130
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.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 6.65" x 2.52" x 2.52" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
Sony ULT Field 3: $148 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. 24 hour battery life. App with 10-band EQ. Party Connect with up to 100 speakers. USB-C in/out for charging your phone.
Cons: Sounds a bit hollow, a bit boosted in the treble.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 4.5" x 3.1" (256 x 113 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 20mm tweeter + 1x 86mm x 46mm woofer |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 27W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.