Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 3 for better sound quality, the Beats Pill 2024 for the lower price. The Sony ULT Field 3 ranks #57 of 136 medium speakers at $148. The Beats Pill 2024 ranks #61 at $99.95, $48.05 cheaper.
What the Sony ULT Field 3 gets right: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. The catch: Sounds a bit hollow, a bit boosted in the treble.
On the Beats Pill 2024 side: Doubles as a power bank (USB-C charge-out). Set against that: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Beats Pill 2024 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 3 | Beats Pill 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $148 | $99.95 |
| Ranked | #57 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #61 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 4.4" x 3.1" (256 x 113 x 79 mm) | 8.6" x 2.8" x 2.8" (219 x 71 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 20mm tweeter + 1x 86mm x 46mm woofer | 2x drivers with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1.5A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
| Output Power | 27W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~56Hz |
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- JBL Charge 4 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony XB33
- JBL Flip 5 vs JBL Flip Essential
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Soundcore Boom 3i
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony ULT Field 3: $148 Amazon
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 →
| 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 |
| Output Power | 27W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- 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 JBL Flip 5
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs JBL Flip Essential
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Sonos Roam 2
- See all 33 comparisons
Beats Pill 2024: $99.95 Amazon
Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-C charge-out). 24 hour battery life; a 10 min quick-charge gives 2 hours. IP67 rated. Stereo pairs with a second Pill.
Cons: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy. Slightly recessed mids. Rolled off treble.
Full Beats Pill 2024 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~56Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 8.6" x 2.8" x 2.8" (219 x 71 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: New Beats Pill 2024: sound demo
- Oluv Patreon: Beats Pill 2024 - first & last impression
- DailyTekk: NEW Beats Pill First Impressions & Sound Test - Worth $149?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beats Pill vs Harman Luna vs Bose Flex vs Soundcore Motion Plus
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Beats Pill (by Apple) 2024 version review vs JBL and Soundcore!
- Reddit Search for Beats Pill 2024 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons