Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 1. It ranks #81 of 144 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $98. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 ranks #143, rated 2.0/5, at $69.99, $28.01 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
Why pick the Sony ULT Field 1: IP67 rated, survives drops and 1m submersion. The tradeoff: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble.
Why pick the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2: Tank-like build quality - reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. The tradeoff: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews of the line generally.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 1. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $28.01 you would save on the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 does not close the gap.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 is rated for 30 hours, the Sony ULT Field 1 only 12 hours.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 1 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $98.00 | $69.99 |
| Ranked | #81 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #143 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | No | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (650 g) | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 8.1” x 3” x 3” (206 x 77 x 76 mm) | 8.6” x 4.2” x 4.6” (218 x 107 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (mounting clip) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 10W |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
Sony ULT Field 1: $98.00 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Sony XB23 (rated 3.3/5) and the Sony SRS-XB20 (rated 2.8/5).
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 →
| 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 |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (650 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Grip
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- Sony ULT Field 1 vs Tribit Xsound Surf
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Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2: $69.99 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3, rated 2/5.
Pros: Tank-like build quality - reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. IP67 rated; doubles as a power bank. Universal mounting clip for a bike, kayak, or backpack. Built-in speakerphone with voice-confirmed caller ID.
Cons: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews of the line generally. Gets distorted with a lot of bass. No true wireless stereo pairing between two units, unlike the Lifejacket 3. Only available used now.
Full Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.6” x 4.2” x 4.6” (218 x 107 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (mounting clip) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
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