I’ve tested dozens of Bluetooth speakers, so when the holidays roll around, a lot of people ask me for my recommendations for gifts. I usually steer them toward my list of the best Bluetooth speakers, but I also make sure to call out noteworthy new releases — and this year, Sony’s ULT Field 5 speaker is a clear standout. It’s one of the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers I’ve tested in its size class, with big volume, thumping bass and a great design. It’s easily one my favorite portable Bluetooth speakers of 2025.
A CNET Editors’ Choice award winner, the ULT Field 5 is usually $350, but right now you can grab it for $195 on Amazon. That’s a 44% drop in price, making it significantly more affordable, and it’s perfect time to cross some names off your holiday shopping list.
ULT is short for ultimate or, as Sony says, “The ultimate step into the evolution of its portable audio products.” Power represents “dynamic sound pressure and deep bass.” Sound translates to “as if you were in the front row at a concert.”
In the past, I thought Sony’s Bluetooth speakers were decent enough but not great. With the ULT series, Sony has significantly improved the sound quality of its Bluetooth speakers, which include the smaller ULT Feld 1 ($87) and ULT Field 3 ($178), as well as the larger boombox-style ULT Field 7 ($448). All of them are fully water-, dust- and rust-proof, with an IP67 certification, and you can stand them up vertically or lie them down horizontally.
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The Sony ULT Field 5 (left) compared to the ULT Field 3 (right).
Both the ULT Field 5 and ULT Field 3 include a new removable shoulder strap, which I ended up using more with the heftier 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. (Read my hands-on first take on both ULT speakers.)
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The ULT Field 5 with its removable shoulder strap attached.
The ULT Field 3 delivers more bass and volume than you’d expect, given its relatively compact size (and it offers 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 built-in party lighting with a USB-C charge in-out 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 the party lighting activated.
Read more: Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2025
Don’t expect real stereo separation from either 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 easier to link its ULT speakers in both Party Connect mode and stereo mode). Not everybody can afford one of these speakers, let alone two, but it helps that they’re now on sale.
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Sony ULT Field 5 key specs
- Weight: 7.27 pounds
- Drivers: 1 woofer, 2 passive bass radiators, 2 tweeters
- EQ: ULT1 Mode (deep frequencies), ULT2 Mode (powerful sound), 10-band EQ, sound field optimization
- App control: Sound Connect app (iOS and Android)
- Price: $330 (on sale now for $195)
- Colors: Available in black and off-white
- Predecessor: SRS-XG300
- IP67 waterproof, dust-proof, rust-proof and shock-resistant
- Party lighting
- Removable shoulder strap
- Up to 25 hours of battery life (10 hours with lighting on)
- Speakerphone (built-in microphone)
- In-out USB-C charge, so the speaker can be used as a power bank
- 3.5mm audio input
- Link multiple speakers with Party Connect or stereo pair
To see how this model compares to others, check out our list of the best Bluetooth speakers available now. And if you’re looking for more gift recommendations and you’ve got a particular budget in mind, here are our lists of the best tech gifts under $100, the best gifts under $300 and the best luxury gifts.
