Beats Pill vs. Sony ULT Field 3: Which speaker is better

Summertime is here, and you’re gearing up to host gatherings with fun company, good weather, and hot jams. This is where a portable Bluetooth speaker comes in clutch. A sonic beast like the Ultimate Ears Hyperboom can get any party jumping within a two-block radius. However, you can get similar functionality and strong sound performance from smaller-sized bass blasters for nearly a third of the price. Enter the $149 Beats Pill and $199 Sony ULT Field 3.

These two handheld speakers produce lively audio that can be personalized through adaptive sound features. They last all day and double as portable chargers to power up your mobile devices. Furthermore, Beats and Sony designed their creations to survive many circumstantial hazards (e.g., dirt, rust, water).

I’ve spent the past three weeks testing these speakers indoors and outdoors, getting a feel for their overall performance. Which model do you want to DJ your next rooftop party? Our in-depth comparison has the answer.

Specs

Beats Pill

• Retail Price: $149

• Dimensions: ‎2.8 x 8.6 x 2.8 inches

• Weight: 2.1 pounds

• Battery Life: 24 hours per charge; 10-minute quick charge = 2 hours of playback

• Audio Components: 1 woofer, 1 tweeter

• Frequency Response: Not available

• IP Rating: IP67 dust and water resistant

• Special Features: Automatic switching, Amplify and Stereo modes, Find My Device support (iOS/Android), lossless audio via wired connection, multipoint technology, portable charging, Tone Volume, speakerphone, voice assistance (Siri/Google Assistant)

• Available Colors: Blush pink, champagne gold, dark gray, light gray, navy blue, matte black, statement red

Sony ULT Field 3

• Retail Price: $199

• Dimensions: 3.11 x 10.08 x 5.24 inches

• Weight: 2.69 pounds

• Battery Life: 24 hours per charge; 10-minute quick charge = 2 hours of playback

• Audio Components: 1 woofer, 2 passive radiators, 1 tweeter

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz

• IP Rating: IP67 dust and water resistant

• Special Features: 7-band EQ, Google Fast Pair, multipoint technology, Party Connect mode for pairing up to 100 speakers, portable charging, Sound Field Optimization, Stereo Mode for 2-speaker pairing, speakerphone, ULT mode for more bass

• Available Colors: Black, forest gray, and off white

Equally engaging sound performance that caters to different crowds

Beats’ portable speaker leans more toward audiophile territory, whereas Sony’s speaker targets casual listeners with an affinity for punchy sound.

Bass is the driving force behind every Sony audio product, and it doesn’t disappoint on the ULT Field 3. This speaker pumps out crisp, robust lows right out of the box. Sony’s ULT Mode increases bass levels for more emphatic delivery. The feature can be overly aggressive on certain recordings, so if you value mids and highs, then keep it turned off. Playing around with the custom seven-band EQ will balance out sound. You just need to be proficient in frequency adjustment to utilize the tool properly. This is where Sony’s well-engineered presets could have come in handy (they work wonders on the company’s wireless headphones). As an alternative, you’re given Sound Field Optimization technology that automatically tweaks sound based on the noises around the speaker. I found it useful in rowdy environments. The midrange was clearer, and percussion had more oomph. 

There was a time when Beats was primarily defined by its excessive bass response. Well, eight years of improved engineering accomplish a lot. The second-gen Pill is a massive audio upgrade over its predecessor. It employs a brand-new tweeter design and remade woofer system that dishes out a fine mix of impactful bass, refined treble, and stabilized mids. Highs are given some attention for full frequency response. Two listening modes are selectable — Amplify and Stereo — each requiring two Pill speakers for use. Amplify doubles audio output by having the speakers play the same sound, and Stereo splits audio into separate left and right channels, which is more immersive. Lossless audio debuts on the Pill and sounds exceptional. It only works in USB-C mode, meaning the speaker must be tethered to a computer or mobile device to hear more clarity and depth when indulging in hi-res music streaming services (e.g., Apple Music, Tidal). 

The Pill and ULT Field 3 have a speakerphone for hands-free voice calling. Each model comes in handy when you need to jump on last-minute conference calls from your hotel room. Beats’ and Sony’s mic arrays demonstrate quality vocal capture, but they pick up a substantial amount of ambient noise that causes muffle. We really like the Pill’s Tone Volume setting that adjusts volume and sound effects for clearer output.

Winner: Tie

Stylish and outdoor-ready handheld speakers

Beats’ exquisite design pedigree is on full display. The Pill maintains signature details like the rounded speaker grille and trademark capsule frame. Controls are placed at the top, and the B logo is now relegated to the front. A trio of bold colorways — black, gold, and red — are sold across all major online retailers. Beats recently launched its blush pink and navy blue versions that are exclusive to Target and Walmart, respectively. Collectors may want to seek out the limited-edition Kim Kardashian collaborations in dark gray and light gray. There is a built-in lanyard loop on the side for convenient portability. However, you’ll feel safer carrying the speaker in hand because dropping it will dent the metal grille. That’s what happened with my model. It’s worth noting that despite the speaker being small, it feels heavier than it looks.

The ULT Field 3 is one of Sony’s more attractive portable speakers. It is notably larger in size, but it feels similar in weight to the Pill. The bundled shoulder strap makes it less cumbersome to lug around. Exposing the Sony logo to light reveals a cool, bright purple shimmer. All three colorways (black, forest gray, white) look nice. The hard woven fabric wrapped around the drivers is durable, along with the rubberized coverings that protect the charging port and strap inputs on top. My unit experienced zero damage when dropped on hard surfaces.

IP67 certification means that each speaker is dust-, rust-, shock-, and waterproof. 

Winner: Sony ULT Field 3

Identical battery life, distinctively different feature sets

Each speaker gets you up to 24 hours of continuous playback when fully charged. High volume and special features decrease battery life by about two to five hours. These numbers held up during testing. The ULT Field 3 entertained crowds for nearly 10 hours over a weekend and had close to 50 percent battery left in the tank. Sony’s Battery Care function works well for preserving the battery long term by limiting the maximum charge to 90 percent. Meanwhile, the Pill retained 45 percent battery in the same time frame. Quick charging is the same: 10 minutes plugged into a USB-C cord nets you two hours of listening time. Don’t forget about the Pill and ULT Field 3 power banks to recharge devices.

Beats and Sony equipped their speakers with many popular features (e.g., multipoint technology, speakerphone). They also provided exclusive perks that distinguish each model. 

No one (publicly) knows what processor is inside the Pill. We think it’s a new version of Beats’ proprietary chipset that was introduced on the Studio Buds and optimizes performance on iOS/macOS and Android devices. You’ll gain automatic switching, Find My Device support, and Siri voice assistance. Prime sound features include the aforementioned Amplify and Stereo modes, lossless audio, and Tone Volume. Only two Pill speakers can be paired at the same time.

Many of Sony’s upscaled sound features were previously discussed: EQ, Party Mode, Sound Field Optimization, and ULT Mode. Stereo mode allows for dual-speaker connectivity, and Party Mode pairs up to 100 speakers simultaneously. 

Winner: Beats Pill

Setup and ease of use

Getting these speakers set up is a breeze. Turn on the Pill or ULT Field 3 to enable pairing mode and select the product from the Available Devices list in the Bluetooth settings of your media device. Apple users with an iPhone or iPad can instantly connect the Pill via one-tap pairing, while Android users have Google Fast Pair to do the same with either speaker. The ULT Field 3 is compatible with Apple devices as well. 

Connectivity holds up well on these two speakers. The Pill seamlessly pairs to Apple devices that are registered to your iCloud account and plays nicely with Android, especially when using multipoint to pair to two media devices at the same time. There is no connection scramble or lag. On the opposite end, the ULT Field 3 operates exceptionally well on all operating systems. Multipoint is spot-on. Its biggest strength might be range; streaming quality remains smooth within a 45-foot range before dropout occurs. 

Both speakers grant user-friendly functionality. Their respective control panels differ in presentation, with Beats’ buttons being indented and Sony’s buttons protruding. Expect solid tactility that ensures intended commands are being met with every single/multi-press or long-hold gesture. You can enable call management, listening modes, playback, volume, and voice assistance (Google Assistant/Siri), all of which function well on these two competitors. The ULT Field 3 has on-screen controls through the Sound Connect app to manage playback and turn off the device. iPhone and iPad users can enable/disable functions through iOS widgets or the product’s dedicated settings page.

Our winner: Tie

Beats Pill vs. Sony ULT Field 3: The final verdict

You can’t go wrong purchasing either speaker, but we can acknowledge that their comparable performance in key areas (e.g., battery life, call quality, portable charging) makes choosing very difficult.

The Beats Pill appeals more to Apple users with its excellent iOS/macOS integration. Android users get great use out of the speaker as well. Sound is vastly improved from the original, and the addition of lossless audio over USB-C enhances fidelity on Apple Music tracks. There’s no denying that Beats has the more attractive design, even if certain components are fragile (*cough* the metal grille cough). Playtimes are also noteworthy. 

The ULT Field 3’s versatile soundstage complements all music genres and is customizable in various ways to equalize frequencies or raise bass levels. Sony’s powerful audio architecture allows the speaker to fill most environments with loud, energetic sound. Special features like the DJ Control mixer give spin masters and producers some creative control over mixes. The bundled strap and sturdier aesthetics are also much appreciated for travel.

In the end, it all comes down to preference, and both are outstanding speakers.