Bluetooth Speakers / JBL Boombox 4 vs Sony ULT FIELD 3
JBL Boombox 4 vs Sony ULT FIELD 3
JBL Boombox 4
210W, 34 hours and a swappable battery — the loudest thing here.
Wins overall by 0.3 points
Quick Verdict
This is close. The JBL Boombox 4 edges ahead by 0.3 points, but that margin is inside the noise — the Sony ULT FIELD 3 is a defensible pick on its own terms. Rustproof and shockproof with a real bass button — built for the beach.
The JBL Boombox 4 and Sony ULT FIELD 3 are both current-generation bluetooth Speaker models, and the Sony ULT FIELD 3 is $350 cheaper than the JBL Boombox 4 ($199.99 vs $549.95). On Portability, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads (7.0 vs 3.5/10) — weight, size and how easily it travels. On Loudness, the JBL Boombox 4 leads (9.8 vs 7.5/10) — maximum usable volume before it strains. On Bass, the JBL Boombox 4 leads (9.5 vs 8.0/10) — low-end weight and extension for the size. Overall, the JBL Boombox 4 scores 8.1/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.8/10 for the Sony ULT FIELD 3, though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | JBL Boombox 4 | Sony ULT FIELD 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $199.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2025 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 28✓ | 24 |
| Water & Dust Rating | IP68 — dust and water | IP67 — dust and water, to 1m for 30 minutes, plus shockproof and rustproof |
| Floats | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Power Output (W) | 210W on mains (2x 65W woofers plus 2x 40W tweeters), 200W on battery | Sony does not publish an RMS figure for this model |
| Weight (g) | 5890 | 1200✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 (SBC, AAC, LC3) | 5.2 (SBC and AAC; no LDAC) |
| Drivers | 2x 5-inch woofers plus 2x 0.75-inch tweeters and three passive radiators | 1x 86 x 46mm racetrack woofer plus a 20mm tweeter, with passive radiators |
| Stereo & Multi-Speaker Pairing | Auracast — stereo pair two Boombox 4s or link many Auracast JBL speakers | Stereo pair two ULT FIELD 3 units; Party Connect chains multiple Sony speakers, though Sony does not publish a maximum |
| Speakerphone | No | Yes |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Charges Your Phone | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, Blue, Brown | Black, Off White |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The JBL Boombox 4 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on tonal balance, clarity and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Bass
The JBL Boombox 4 leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.0 — a 1.5-point margin on low-end weight and extension for the size. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Battery
The JBL Boombox 4 leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.0 — a 1.5-point margin on rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads clearly here, 9.5 against 9.0 — a 0.5-point margin on IP rating, drop resistance and whether it floats. If that is what you are buying for, the JBL Boombox 4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Portability
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads clearly here, 7.0 against 3.5 — a 3.5-point margin on weight, size and how easily it travels. If that is what you are buying for, the JBL Boombox 4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Loudness
The JBL Boombox 4 leads clearly here, 9.8 against 7.5 — a 2.3-point margin on maximum usable volume before it strains. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The JBL Boombox 4 leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.0 — a 1.0-point margin on app EQ, multi-speaker pairing, charge-out and extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on performance and features relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the JBL Boombox 4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the JBL Boombox 4 if…
- • Loudness matters most to you — the JBL Boombox 4 scores 9.8/10 here (maximum usable volume before it strains).
- • Bass matters most to you — the JBL Boombox 4 scores 9.5/10 here (low-end weight and extension for the size).
- • Battery matters most to you — the JBL Boombox 4 scores 9.5/10 here (rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the JBL Boombox 4 scores 8.5/10 here (tonal balance, clarity and detail).
Choose the Sony ULT FIELD 3 if…
- • Portability matters most to you — the Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores 7.0/10 here (weight, size and how easily it travels).
- • You want to spend less — it's $350 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is poolside.
Pros & Cons
JBL Boombox 4
Pros
- +Loudest and deepest-hitting speaker here by a clear margin
- +The battery pack is swappable, which is almost unheard of and hugely extends its useful life
- +Measured runtime exceeds 34 hours
- +IP68 and can run on mains while charging
Cons
- −5.9kg — this is a two-hands, plan-ahead speaker
- −The 3.5mm aux input was removed compared with the Boombox 3
- −No microphone
- −Not intended for TV use
- −Expensive at list price
Sony ULT FIELD 3
Pros
- +Rustproof construction genuinely matters at the beach or a pool, and almost nothing else here claims it
- +The ULT button gives an immediate, satisfying bass lift
- +24 hours plus USB charge-out
- +Shoulder strap included in the box
Cons
- −Bluetooth 5.2 with no LDAC, which is odd on a Sony product
- −Sony publishes no power rating
- −Audible compression when pushed loud
- −Mono unless paired
- −No lighting, unlike similarly priced party-oriented rivals
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the JBL Boombox 4 or Sony ULT FIELD 3 better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the JBL Boombox 4 comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Portability, the JBL Boombox 4 or the Sony ULT FIELD 3?+
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores higher on Portability (7.0/10 vs 3.5/10) — weight, size and how easily it travels.
Which is better for Loudness, the JBL Boombox 4 or the Sony ULT FIELD 3?+
The JBL Boombox 4 scores higher on Loudness (9.8/10 vs 7.5/10) — maximum usable volume before it strains.
Which is better for Bass, the JBL Boombox 4 or the Sony ULT FIELD 3?+
The JBL Boombox 4 scores higher on Bass (9.5/10 vs 8.0/10) — low-end weight and extension for the size.
Which is better for Battery, the JBL Boombox 4 or the Sony ULT FIELD 3?+
The JBL Boombox 4 scores higher on Battery (9.5/10 vs 8.0/10) — rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume.
Is the JBL Boombox 4 worth the price difference over the Sony ULT FIELD 3?+
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 is the cheaper option at $199.99 versus $549.95. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Portability.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The JBL Boombox 4 is the better fit if you mainly care about party or outdoor. The Sony ULT FIELD 3 is the better fit for poolside.
What's the warranty on the JBL Boombox 4 vs the Sony ULT FIELD 3?+
The JBL Boombox 4 ships with a 12-month warranty; the Sony ULT FIELD 3 ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
JBL Charge 6 — $199.95
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.