The Sony ULT FIELD 1 is the smallest speaker in the Sony ULT POWER SOUND lineup. All the speakers in this series are designed with bass-heavy performance in mind, each equipped with an 'ULT' button capable of injecting some extra low-end into the equation. Ostensibly, it seems like a repurposed Sony SRS-XB33 in a slightly smaller form factor. Let's see if this little speaker leaves it all on the field.
Our Verdict
The Sony ULT FIELD 1 is okay for music. It has a relatively balanced sound for such a small speaker, with smooth mids and highs that render vocals and lead instruments smoothly. Even with the ULT function engaged, the bass response isn't too substantial, even if it's a step up from the Sony SRS-XB33 overall. This speaker also can't playback stereo content without downmixing to mono, and coupled with lackluster directivity, this doesn't make for a great soundstage performance. While it can get reasonably loud compared to speakers of its size, significant compression at max volume can impact audio clarity.
- Portable, lightweight design.
- Bluetooth multi-device connectivity.
- Downmixes stereo content to mono.
- Lots of compression at max volume.
The Sony ULT FIELD 1 is disappointing for movies and videos. While it has a reasonably balanced sound that will render dialogue with detail, a lack of low-end oomph, even with the ULT mode engaged, struggles to reproduce cinematic sound effects. It also can't playback stereo content without downmixing to mono, and its directivity isn't the best, so it can be hard to locate where the audio is coming from. While AV synchronization error is low with iOS devices, it's a bit higher with Android devices, though your audio and video will still be relatively in sync.
- Low latency performance with iOS devices.
- Downmixes stereo content to mono.
- Lots of compression at max volume.
The Sony ULT FIELD 1 is good for podcasts. It reproduces mid and high frequencies in a balanced, detailed way that lends itself well to podcast audio, which focuses primarily on voices. It's also portable; you can easily bring it around from room to room. That said, its directivity isn't the best, meaning you'll have to be careful with how you orient yourself in relation to the speaker. There's also quite a bit of compression at max volume that can impact audio quality.
- Portable, lightweight design.
- IP67 rating against dust and water damage.
- Bluetooth multi-device connectivity.
- Downmixes stereo content to mono.
- Lots of compression at max volume.
The Sony ULT FIELD 1 has disappointing voice assistant integration. It has no built-in voice assistant capabilities, relying on your smartphone's Siri or Google Assistant. The speaker's mic really struggles to pick up your voice, even if you speak loudly in a quiet environment. As a result, it often misinterprets voice commands.
- Compatible with Siri and Alexa voice assistants.
- Mic struggles to pick up your voice.
- Lots of compression at max volume.
The Sony ULT FIELD 1 is decent for outdoor use. It's extremely lightweight and portable, so you can easily sling it in a backpack or attach it to your person using the included strap. It's also certified IPX7, so it can be submerged in water, and is rated IP6X for protection against dust. That said, its six hours of battery life means you'll need to recharge it if you bring it for longer trips. You'll also need to be careful about how you position yourself around the speaker, as its directivity isn't the best.
- Portable, lightweight design.
- IP67 rating against dust and water damage.
- Bluetooth multi-device connectivity.
- Downmixes stereo content to mono.
- Lots of compression at max volume.
- Only six hours of battery life at higher volumes.
Changelog
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Updated Jun 13, 2025:
We added a reference to the LG xboom Grab in the Battery box.
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Updated Jun 02, 2025:
The Dynamics box was updated to mention the Sony ULT FIELD 3.
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Updated May 29, 2025:
The Wired box was updated to mention the JBL Flip 7.
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Updated Jan 22, 2025:
In the Battery box, we noted that the speaker can charge faster if you supply a cable rated for 3 Amps rather than using the included cable, which is rated for 1.5 Amps.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Sony ULT FIELD 1 comes in four different color variants: 'Orange,' 'Off White,' 'Forest Gray,' and 'Black.' We tested the 'Orange' variant, but we expect other variants to perform similarly. You can see our unit's label here.
If you encounter a different variant of this speaker, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The Sony ULT FIELD 1 is the smallest speaker in the ULT POWER SOUND lineup. Its small, cylindrical design and bass-enhancing features make for natural comparisons with the Sony SRS-XB33. While the ULT FIELD 1 is a little smaller and lighter, its battery life isn't as long, and there's quite a bit more compression at max volume. On the upside, it has a more balanced sound overall, though. It has a similar shape to the JBL Flip 6, although the JBL is a touch more portable. However, the JBL lacks the Sony speaker's voice assistant capabilities and has higher latency with iOS and Android devices.
See also our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best portable Bluetooth speakers, and the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers.
Choosing between the Sony ULT FIELD 1 and JBL Flip 7 partly depends on whether you plan to add a second speaker or not. Of the two, only the JBL can connect to a second compatible speaker for stereo, or a few for Party mode. The JBL also has a higher IP68 rating and is advertised to be drop-resistant up to a meter. It even recharges faster than the Sony, though the battery is a little shorter. The Sony has a slightly more excited sound with more boom and treble. The Sony boasts a slightly lesser IP67 rating, but we found it floats. It also has a microphone for voice assistance, which the JBL doesn't. That said, for video streaming, the Sony has much lower latency for a tighter A/V sync.
The Sony ULT FIELD 1 is the Sony ULT FIELD 3's little sibling. While both are very portable speakers, the ULT FIELD 1 is about half the weight and features a canister-like design, in contrast to the ULT FIELD 3's rectangular edges. Both speakers are well-built and feature carrying straps for easy transportation. They perform similarly in most regards, with the key points of differentiation coming in the form of battery life and voice assistant capabilities, where the ULT FIELD 3 comes out on top. With 14.5 hours of battery life and Siri and Google Assistant compatibility (when paired with a compatible phone), it can take voice commands all day long. The ULT FIELD 3 also has a better bass response, bringing out big kicks in genres like house and techno. When it comes to portability, it's hard to argue with the ULT FIELD 1's compact size, though. Despite being smaller, it can also achieve a higher max volume, which defies expectations.
The Sony ULT FIELD 1 and the JBL Flip 6 are both small, cylindrical portable speakers. Overall, they perform very similarly, with little to separate them. Both speakers can't play stereo content without downmixing to mono and can get similarly loud. While the Sony has a more balanced default frequency response, it has quite a bit more compression at max volume than the JBL. The Sony also has a slightly longer continuous battery life but takes double the time to fully recharge.
The Bose SoundLink Flex and the Sony ULT FIELD 1 are comparable speakers with different strengths. They have very similar sound profiles, with the Sony offering a bit more warmth out of the box. You can also tweak the Sony's sound using the graphic EQ in its companion app. On the other hand, the Bose doesn't compress your audio as much when you blast your tunes. Both speakers will work with your device's Google Assistant or Siri voice assistant, but the Bose does a much better job picking up your voice from afar or in a noisy room. The Bose also lasts a little longer, but battery life varies with usage.
Test Results
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