Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 3. It ranks #71 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $208; the B&O Beosound Explore ranks #142, rated 2.5/5, and costs $294.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Sony ULT Field 3 is the better-sounding choice. A rugged waterproof stereo speaker with long battery life, a detailed app EQ, a shoulder strap and a phone charging port. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the B&O Beosound Explore lacks. Watch for: Sounds a bit hollow, a bit boosted in the treble.
The B&O Beosound Explore is the lighter choice. A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery. At 1.4 lbs (631 g) it weighs much less than the Sony ULT Field 3 at 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg). Watch for: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound Explore and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A rugged waterproof stereo speaker with long battery life, a detailed app EQ, a shoulder strap and a phone charging port.
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 3 | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $208.00 | $294.99 |
| Ranked | #71 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 | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1” x 4.4” x 3.1” (256 x 113 x 79 mm) | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 20mm tweeter + 1x 86mm x 46mm woofer | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1.5A) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 27W | 60W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | Yes (carabiner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~70Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sony ULT Field 3 compares with other leading options: