Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 1. It ranks #99 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $138. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 ranks #177, rated 2.0/5, at $62.99, $75.01 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Sony ULT Field 1 is the better-sounding, lighter pick. A tough, waterproof small speaker that survives drops, with long real world battery life and stereo pairing. At 1.4 lbs (650 g) it weighs much less than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 at 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg). It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble.
The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 is the longer-running pick. A nearly indestructible waterproof speaker that doubles as a power bank, with a clip for bikes, kayaks or backpacks. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 12 for the Sony ULT Field 1. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony ULT Field 1 lacks. The catch: 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 $75.01 you would save on the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 1 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $138.00 | $62.99 |
| Ranked | #99 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #177 of 179 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 | Yes | Yes |
| 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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