Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 3. It ranks #61 of 144 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $138. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 ranks #143, rated 2.0/5, at $69.99, $68.01 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Sony ULT Field 3: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. The tradeoff: Sounds a bit hollow, a bit boosted in the treble.
The case for 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 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $68.01 with the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 3 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $138.00 | $69.99 |
| Ranked | #61 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 | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10.1” x 4.4” x 3.1” (256 x 113 x 79 mm) | 8.6” x 4.2” x 4.6” (218 x 107 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 20mm tweeter + 1x 86mm x 46mm woofer | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1.5A) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 27W | 10W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | Yes (mounting clip) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sony ULT Field 3:
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Earfun Uboom L
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Minirig 4
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony ULT Field 3: $138.00 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Sony XB33 (rated 3.4/5), the Sony SRS-XE300 (rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB30 (rated 2.6/5).
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 |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Sony XB33
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Turtlebox Ranger
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Beats Pill 2024
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs JBL Flip 5
- See all 118 comparisons
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) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 vs Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 vs Marshall Emberton III
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 vs Sony ULT Field 1
- See all 12 comparisons