Best Portable Speakers · head-to-head

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) vs Sony ULT Field 1

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is cheaper at $159. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) or Sony ULT Field 1?

The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) Sony ULT Field 1
US price $159
BrandBoseSony
Released20242024
Battery hr 12 12
IP rating IP67 IP67
Drivers 1×83mm×42mm woofer + 1×16mm tweeter + passive radiator
Bluetooth 5.3
Weight (lb) 1.291 1.43
Stereo pairing Yes Yes
Aux (in) No
Release 2024 2024

Sources — Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen): bose.com (verified 2026-06-15). Sony ULT Field 1: helpguide.sony.net (verified 2026-07-10).

What's the difference between the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) and Sony ULT Field 1?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (1 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Weight (lb): Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) 1.291 vs Sony ULT Field 1 1.43

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)

Two whitelisted testers (SoundGuys, TechRadar) reviewed this exact model and both did hands-on testing. Both praise clean, balanced, detailed sound and the rugged IP67 build, but flag minimal upgrades over the 1st Gen, limited EQ options (only four presets), and unremarkable battery life. SoundGuys' standardized 80dB/1m test measured just 7 hours 3 minutes against Bose's 12-hour claim. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)

Praised: Clean, balanced, detailed sound with good instrument separation for its size; Rugged, durable IP67 dustproof/waterproof build for outdoor use; Attractive, portable design with strap/loop attachment.

Flagged: Minimal upgrades over the 1st Gen (near-identical hardware and sound profile); Limited EQ options in the app (only four presets); Underwhelming battery life; only ~12h claimed, and SoundGuys measured 7h 3min at 80dB.

Sony ULT Field 1

No sourced tester review yet.

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