Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 3 for better sound quality, the Xiaomi Mi Portable for the lower price. The Sony ULT Field 3 ranks #57 of 136 medium speakers at $148. The Xiaomi Mi Portable ranks #58 at $55, $93 cheaper.
What the Sony ULT Field 3 gets right: IP67 rated, dustproof and water resistant. 24 hour battery life. App with 10-band EQ. Watch for: 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.
The case for the Xiaomi Mi Portable: Good battery life for a 16W speaker - around 12 hours at moderate volume. Set against that: A bit of a sharp treble.
Buy the Sony ULT Field 3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Xiaomi Mi Portable if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony ULT Field 3 is rated for 24 hours versus 13 hours for the Xiaomi Mi Portable.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Field 3 | Xiaomi Mi Portable | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $148 | $55 |
| Ranked | #57 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #58 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 4.4" x 3.1" (256 x 113 x 79 mm) | 8.4" x 2.9" x 2.9" (213 x 74 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 20mm tweeter + 1x 86mm x 46mm woofer | 2x 57mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App + ULT button) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1.5A) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C (5V/1A) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs / 1.2 kg | 0.8 lbs / 373 g |
| Output Power | 27W | 16W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Sony XB33 vs Klipsch Nashville
- Sony XB33 vs JBL Flip 5
- Sony XB33 vs Beats Pill 2024
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
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 Beats Pill 2024
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs JBL Flip 5
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs JBL Flip 4
- See all 35 comparisons
Xiaomi Mi Portable: $55 Amazon
Pros: Good battery life for a 16W speaker - around 12 hours at moderate volume. USB-C charging, stereo pairing support.
Cons: A bit of a sharp treble
Full Xiaomi Mi Portable review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 2.9" x 2.9" (213 x 74 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 57mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/1A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 373 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Sony XB33
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs JBL Flip 5
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs JBL Flip 4
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Sony XB23
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Tronsmart Element Force