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Looking for a speaker you can take to the beach, the garden or on holiday without worrying about it? The JBL Flip 7 and Sony ULT FIELD 1 are two of the most popular tough Bluetooth speakers, and both are on offer on Amazon.ie. Here’s which one to choose.
The short answer
- Get the JBL Flip 7 for the best sound and battery: reviewers rate it one of the best portable speakers you can buy, and it’s fully waterproof and drop-proof.
- Get the Sony ULT FIELD 1 if you want a tough, shockproof speaker with a bass-boost button and a handy strap, and you find it for noticeably less.
Side by side
| Feature | 8.7 JBL Flip 7 Portable Bluetooth SpeakerSee today’s price See today’s priceat Amazon.ie | 8.1 Sony ULT FIELD 1 Portable Bluetooth SpeakerSee today’s price See today’s priceat Amazon.ie |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Store | Amazon.ie | Amazon.ie |
| Price | See today’s price | See today’s price |
| You save | – | – |
| Buyer rating | – | – |
| DealDepot score | 8.7/10 | 8.1/10 |
| Best for | Tough, loud portable speaker | Tough travel speaker |
| Our verdict | One of the best portable speakers around: big sound for its size, a properly tough IP68 build and good battery life. Skip it if you already own a Flip 6,… | A tough, waterproof little speaker that goes loud and handles knocks and rain. Audio purists may find the mids a bit thin, but for beaches, gardens and travel it’s a… |
| What we like |
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| Watch out for |
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| Specifications | ||
| Battery | Up to 14 hours (+2 with Playtime Boost) | Up to 12 hours |
| Protection | IP68, drop-proof from 1m | – |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 (SBC, AAC) | 5.3 |
| Output | 25W woofer + 10W tweeter | – |
| Weight | About 560g | About 650g |
| Waterproof | – | IP67 (water and dust) |
| Shockproof | – | Yes |
| Charging | – | USB-C |
| JBL Flip 7 | Sony ULT FIELD 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof | IP68, drop-proof from 1m | IP67, shockproof |
| Battery | Up to 14 hours (+2 with Playtime Boost) | Up to 12 hours |
| Weight | About 560g | About 650g |
| Sound | Loud and full for its size | Bright and clear, extra bass with ULT button |
| Extras | Lossless audio over USB-C | Detachable strap |
Sound
Expert Reviews calls the Flip 7 the best pound-for-pound Bluetooth speaker it has tested, praising how loud and full it sounds for its size. What Hi-Fi? found the ULT FIELD 1 clear and comfortable at high volume, but noted its midrange is thinner than the best rivals, and it can sound thin with the bass boost off.
Toughness
Both are built to be knocked about. The Flip 7 is rated IP68 and drop-proof from a metre; the ULT FIELD 1 is IP67 and shockproof. In practice, both will happily survive rain, sand and the odd splash in the pool.
Battery
The Flip 7 lasts a little longer: up to 14 hours, with Playtime Boost adding around two more (at the cost of some sound quality). The ULT FIELD 1 gives up to about 12 hours.
Things to know
- The Flip 7 can’t pair with older JBL PartyBoost speakers like the Flip 6, and there’s no USB-C cable in the box.
- The ULT FIELD 1’s strap makes it easy to hang from a bag or tent.
Our verdict
The JBL Flip 7 is the better all-rounder, with fuller sound and longer battery. The Sony ULT FIELD 1 is still a very tough, enjoyable speaker, and a good choice if you find it for less.
We haven’t tested these products ourselves. Our picks are based on independent expert reviews (linked below) and the manufacturers’ specifications. Prices change often, so each product links to today’s price.
Sources: Expert Reviews: JBL Flip 7 review, What Hi-Fi?: Sony ULT Field 1 review.