The best mid-range Bluetooth speaker I’ve ever tested is 44% off right now


Sony ULT Field 5 speaker It’s easily my favorite new portable Bluetooth speaker of 2025. It’s one of the Best bluetooth speakers I tested it in the size class, with great size, amazing bass and great design.

This speaker is usually priced at $330, but now you can get it for that $195 on Amazonor $198 at Walmartl Black Friday. This represents a 45% reduction in price, making it remarkably affordable, and it’s the perfect time to grab a speaker and get ready for all the adventures that 2026 has in store.

ULT is short for Ultimate or, as Sony says, “the final step in the evolution of its portable audio products.” Power represents “dynamic sound pressure and deep bass”. The audio translates to “as if you were in the front row at a concert.”

Watch this: Stop Overpaying: Check prices before purchasing on Black Friday

In the past, I thought Sony’s Bluetooth speakers were good enough but not great. With the ULT Series, Sony has dramatically improved the sound quality of its Bluetooth speakers.

Sony ULT 5 field (left) compared to ULT 3 field (right).

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

I also like the new designs of ULT Field 3 and ULT Field 5, which can stand vertically or horizontally. Both headphones are completely water, dust and rust resistant, with IP67 certification.

Both include a new removable shoulder strap, which I ended up using more with the heavier ULT Field 5 than the lighter ULT Field 3. The ULT Field 5 weighs 7.27 pounds, while the ULT Field 3 weighs 2.65 pounds, just over a third. (Read my first hands-on experience with both ULT speakers.)

The ULT Field 5 boot has a removable shoulder strap.

David Carnoy/CNET

The ULT Field 3 delivers more bass and volume than you’d expect, given its relatively small size (and delivers better clarity and bass performance than its predecessor, the SRS-XE300). But the ULT Field 5’s soundstage is noticeably wider, and the speaker plays louder with noticeably fuller, richer sound. It also has a built-in party light with a USB-C charging port so the speaker can be used as a power bank to charge your devices. Battery life is rated at up to 25 hours at moderate volume levels or 10 hours with party light activated.

Read more: Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2025

Don’t expect true stereo separation from the ULT Field 5 or ULT Field 3. To get true stereo separation, you’ll need to link two of them together, creating a stereo pair (Sony has made it easy to link its ULT speakers in both Party Connect and Stereo mode). Not everyone can afford one of these headphones, let alone two, but it helps that they are now on sale.

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Sony ULT Field 5 key specifications

  • Weight: 7.27 pounds
  • Drivers: 1 tweeter, 2 passive acoustic radiators, 2 tweeters
  • EQ: ULT1 mode (Deep Bass), ULT2 mode (Powerful Bass), 10-band EQ, Sound Field Enhancement
  • App control: Sound Connect app (iOS and Android)
  • price: $330 (On sale now for $195)
  • Colours: Available in black and white
  • Predecessor: SRS-XG300
  • IP67 waterproof, dustproof, rustproof and shockproof
  • Party lighting
  • Removable shoulder strap
  • Up to 25 hours of battery life (10 hours with lights on)
  • Speaker (built-in microphone)
  • Internal USB-C charging, so the speaker can be used as a power bank
  • 3.5 mm audio input
  • Link multiple speakers using Party Connect or Stereo Pair

To see how this model compares to others, see our list of models Best bluetooth speakers Available now.

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