Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential for the aux input, the Sony ULT Field 3 for IP67 protection. Both have clear faults: the Flip Essential has less bass than a Flip 5, and the ULT Field 3 sounds a bit hollow and a bit boosted in the treble, so neither is a clear winner on sound.
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 sound quality. Buy the Sony ULT Field 3 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Battery life favors the Sony ULT Field 3: rated for 24 hours against 10 hours for the JBL Flip Essential.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Sony ULT Field 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $138.00 |
| Ranked | #69 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #60 of 142 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 | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 10.1" x 4.4" x 3.1" (256 x 113 x 79 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier 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 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1.5A) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM 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: A genuinely portable 471g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. It is a simple, no-app option for wired sources, travel and casual listening where its cylindrical shape and modest size are a genuine advantage.
Cons: Bass is lighter than the Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight. Battery life is only a claimed 10 hours, there is no speakerphone, EQ or party mode, and its older Bluetooth 4.1 platform and discontinued status make it a basic used-market choice.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
- Links
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Sony ULT Field 3: $138.00 Amazon eBay
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. Custom EQ and the ULT bass-boost button can’t be used together - turning on ULT disables the EQ. Bass is very weak with ULT off. Lost to the JBL Charge 6 in a side-by-side comparison despite being the larger speaker.
Full Sony ULT Field 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 27W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 4.4" 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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