Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 1. It ranks #99 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $138. The LG Xboom XG5 ranks #150, rated 2.4/5, at $99, $39 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Sony ULT Field 1 is the better-sounding option. A tough, waterproof small speaker that survives drops, with long real world battery life and stereo pairing. The catch: Upper midrange peak, rolled off treble.
The LG Xboom XG5 is the longer-running choice. A waterproof speaker with a long tested battery, fast USB-C charging, app EQ, lights and an aux input. It is rated for 18 hours of battery against 12 for the Sony ULT Field 1. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony ULT Field 1 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Sony ULT Field 1. The catch: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 1. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $39 with the LG Xboom XG5 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 1 | LG Xboom XG5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $138.00 | $99.00 |
| Ranked | #99 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #150 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (LG XBOOM app) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (650 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.1” x 3” x 3” (206 x 77 x 76 mm) | 8.7” x 3.3” x 3.1” (222 x 83 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 83mm x 42mm woofer, 16mm tweeter + passive radiator | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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