Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 1. It ranks #99 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $108; the B&O Beosound Explore ranks #142, rated 2.5/5, and costs $294.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Sony ULT Field 1 is the better-sounding choice. A tough, waterproof small speaker that survives drops, with long real world battery life and stereo pairing. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the B&O Beosound Explore lacks. Watch for: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble.
The B&O Beosound Explore is the longer-running option. A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery. It is rated for 27 hours of battery against 12 for the Sony ULT Field 1. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Sony ULT Field 1. The catch: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 1. It is rated higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound Explore and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A tough, waterproof small speaker that survives drops, with long real world battery life and stereo pairing.
A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 1 | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $108.00 | $294.99 |
| Ranked | #99 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #142 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (650 g) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 8.1” x 3” x 3” (206 x 77 x 76 mm) | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (carabiner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~70Hz |
| Amplifier Power | - | 60W |
| Maximum SPL | - | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony ULT Field 1: