Bluetooth Speakers / Sony ULT FIELD 3 vs Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
Sony ULT FIELD 3 vs Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
Sony ULT FIELD 3
Rustproof and shockproof with a real bass button — built for the beach.
Wins overall by 0.6 points
Quick Verdict
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 takes this by a clear 0.6 points. Rustproof and shockproof with a real bass button — built for the beach. The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) only makes sense if it wins on a category you care about more than the total.
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 and Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) are both closely matched bluetooth Speaker models, and the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is $41 cheaper than the Sony ULT FIELD 3 ($159 vs $199.99). On Battery, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads (8.0 vs 5.5/10) — rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume. On Bass, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads (8.0 vs 6.5/10) — low-end weight and extension for the size. On Portability, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) leads (8.5 vs 7.0/10) — weight, size and how easily it travels. Overall, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores 7.8/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.2/10 for the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen). Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Sony ULT FIELD 3 | Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 | $159.00 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2024 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 24✓ | 12 |
| Water & Dust Rating | IP67 — dust and water, to 1m for 30 minutes, plus shockproof and rustproof | IP67 — dust and water |
| Floats | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Power Output (W) | Sony does not publish an RMS figure for this model | Bose does not publish power ratings for any SoundLink speaker |
| Weight (g) | 1200 | 585✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 (SBC and AAC; no LDAC) | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 1x 86 x 46mm racetrack woofer plus a 20mm tweeter, with passive radiators | Single full-range transducer with passive radiators; Bose does not publish driver dimensions |
| Stereo & Multi-Speaker Pairing | Stereo pair two ULT FIELD 3 units; Party Connect chains multiple Sony speakers, though Sony does not publish a maximum | Two compatible Bose speakers can run in Stereo Mode or Party Mode; there is no large-scale chaining |
| Speakerphone | Yes | Yes |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Charges Your Phone | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, Off White | Black, Blue Dusk, Alpine Sage |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-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 Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.5 — a 1.5-point margin on low-end weight and extension for the size. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Battery
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads clearly here, 8.0 against 5.5 — a 2.5-point margin on rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) 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 Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Portability
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-point margin on weight, size and how easily it travels. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Loudness
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.5 — a 1.0-point margin on maximum usable volume before it strains. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 leads clearly here, 7.0 against 6.5 — a 0.5-point margin on app EQ, multi-speaker pairing, charge-out and extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) 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 Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Sony ULT FIELD 3 if…
- • Battery matters most to you — the Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores 8.0/10 here (rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume).
- • Bass matters most to you — the Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores 8.0/10 here (low-end weight and extension for the size).
- • Loudness matters most to you — the Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores 7.5/10 here (maximum usable volume before it strains).
- • Your main use case is party.
Choose the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) if…
- • Portability matters most to you — the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) scores 8.5/10 here (weight, size and how easily it travels).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) scores 8.0/10 here (tonal balance, clarity and detail).
- • You want to spend less — it's $41 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is portable or home.
Pros & Cons
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
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
Pros
- +The best tonal balance of any small speaker here — Bose's core strength
- +PositionIQ genuinely works, retuning whether it is upright, flat or hanging
- +Floats, with a full IP67 rating
- +App EQ finally added this generation
Cons
- −12 hours is short next to the Marshall's 32 or the Tribit's 24
- −Bose publishes no wattage or driver specification at all
- −No USB charge-out
- −No aux input
- −List price has risen from $149 to $159
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Sony ULT FIELD 3 or Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 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 Battery, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 or the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?+
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores higher on Battery (8.0/10 vs 5.5/10) — rated playtime and how it holds up at real listening volume.
Which is better for Bass, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 or the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?+
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores higher on Bass (8.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — low-end weight and extension for the size.
Which is better for Portability, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 or the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) scores higher on Portability (8.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — weight, size and how easily it travels.
Which is better for Loudness, the Sony ULT FIELD 3 or the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?+
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 scores higher on Loudness (7.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — maximum usable volume before it strains.
Is the Sony ULT FIELD 3 worth the price difference over the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?+
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is the cheaper option at $159 versus $199.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Battery.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 is the better fit if you mainly care about party. The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is the better fit for portable or home.
What's the warranty on the Sony ULT FIELD 3 vs the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?+
The Sony ULT FIELD 3 ships with a 12-month warranty; the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) 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 Flip 7 — $149.95
Premium Option
JBL Xtreme 5 — $399.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.