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I’ve tested dozens of Bluetooth speakers, so when the holidays come around, a lot of people ask me for my recommendations. Gifts. I usually point them towards my list of Best bluetooth speakersbut I also make sure to mention noteworthy new releases — and this year, Sony ULT Field 5 speaker It is a clear position. It’s one of Best bluetooth speakers I tested it in the size class, with great size, amazing bass and great design. It’s easily one of my favorite portable Bluetooth speakers of 2025.
A CNET Editors’ Choice Award winner, the ULT Field 5 is normally priced at $350, but now you can get it for $195 on Amazon. This represents a 44% price drop, making it significantly more affordable, and the perfect time to cross a few names off your holiday shopping list.
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.”
In the past, I thought Sony’s Bluetooth speakers were good enough but not great. With the ULT series, Sony has significantly improved the sound quality of its Bluetooth speakers, which include smaller Ault Field 1 ($87) and Ault field 3 ($178), as well as the larger model Alt field 7 ($448). They’re all completely water-, dust-, and rust-resistant, with IP67 certification, and you can place them vertically or horizontally.
Sony ULT 5 field (left) compared to ULT 3 field (right).
Both the ULT Field 5 and ULT Field 3 include a new removable shoulder strap, which I ended up using more with the heavier ULT Field 5 than with the lighter ULT Field 3. The ULT Field 5 weighs 7.27 pounds, while the ULT Field 3 weighs 2.65 pounds. (Read my first hands-on experience with both ULT speakers.)
The ULT Field 5 boot has a removable shoulder strap.
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. And if you’re looking for more gift recommendations and have a specific budget in mind, here are our gift lists The best tech gifts under $100the Best gifts under $300 and The best luxury gifts.