Sony ULT Field 7 vs JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2

The Sony ULT Field 7 is the bigger, louder speaker with a wider feature set: a 1/4-inch mic input for karaoke, USB-A and headphone jacks, and a rated 30-hour battery. The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 is the simpler party box, with a light show, app control and Auracast stereo pairing. Owners of the Sony report real problems with the handle coming apart and battery life far below the claim, so the JBL is the safer pick if you want fewer surprises. Buy the Sony for karaoke and input flexibility; buy the JBL for a lighter, more polished party speaker.

• Choose the Sony ULT Field 7 if you want a mic input for karaoke, wired connections and a larger cabinet for bigger rooms.
• Choose the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 if you want a lighter party speaker with app control, a light show and easy stereo pairing.