Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 5, if you are buying new. The JBL Partybox 310 measures as well as it (#4 vs #5 of 43 party speakers, 4.5/5 vs 4.5/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Sony ULT Tower 5 is still sold new at $448.
What the Sony ULT Tower 5 does well: At $448, its 300W system with a 9-inch woofer delivers a notably capable party-speaker package: a removable 20-hour battery, IPX4 splash resistance, 10-band EQ and ULT1/ULT2 modes. The tradeoff: It has a shorter 20-hour battery claim than the Tower 7’s 30 hours, no wheels, and only IPX4 splash resistance.
Why pick the JBL Partybox 310: Absolute deepest bass of any battery powered speaker, most balanced sound in the class, handle and wheels are convenient. The catch: Very large.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5 new; the JBL Partybox 310 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | JBL Partybox 310 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $448.00 | $449.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 43 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #4 of 43 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | Yes |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1” x 21.1” x 11.1” (358 x 536 x 282 mm) | 27.1”H x 12.8”W x 14.5”D (687.7 x 325.6 x 367.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 2x 6.5” (165mm) woofers + 2x 2.5” (65mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes (3 band) |
| Guitar Input | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 240W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | Yes |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 32Hz |
| Charging Time | - | 3.5 hours |
| Wheels | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Partybox 310:
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- JBL Partybox 130 vs JBL Partybox 310
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sony ULT Tower 5: $448.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: At $448, its 300W system with a 9-inch woofer delivers a notably capable party-speaker package: a removable 20-hour battery, IPX4 splash resistance, 10-band EQ and ULT1/ULT2 modes. AudioTribe’s first impressions praise its deeper bass and clearer sound than the JBL PartyBox Club 120; it also has USB-C and USB-A, RCA, balanced XLR and mic inputs for DJ and karaoke use.
Cons: It has a shorter 20-hour battery claim than the Tower 7’s 30 hours, no wheels, and only IPX4 splash resistance. Its single-woofer, two-tweeter layout lacks the Tower 7’s 360-degree rear-driver array, and the reviewer describes the sound assessment as first impressions rather than a controlled measurement comparison.
Full Sony ULT Tower 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 300W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) |
| Aux Input | RCA input |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 14.1” x 21.1” x 11.1” (358 x 536 x 282 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) |
| Power Input | AC power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 130
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 330
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox 110
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JBL Partybox 310: $449.95 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox 330, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5.
Pros: Absolute deepest bass of any battery powered speaker, most balanced sound in the class, handle and wheels are convenient. Increase treble one step in the app EQ to make it more neutral. Customizable color lighting modes. Very close to the JBL Partybox Stage 320 in terms of performance. Measured bass extension of 32Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Very large. Discontinued.
Full JBL Partybox 310 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 240W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 27.1”H x 12.8”W x 14.5”D (687.7 x 325.6 x 367.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5” (165mm) woofers + 2x 2.5” (65mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- KULAS TECH SHOW: JBL Partybox 310, 100, on the Go Sound comparison More from KULASTECHSHOW20 →
- Flossy Carter: JBL PartyBox 310 vs PartyBox 300 More from FlossyCarter →
- DLX Willington: SONY SRS XP700 vs JBL PARTYBOX 310 First Impressions Binaural Sound Sample Sound Comparison More from DLXWillington →
- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Go Vs JBL Partybox 310 Vs Sony XP700 More from GYMCADDY →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Basement Bass Battle 💣 Sony XV800 ☢️ LG XL7 🔆 JBL Partybox 310 ☣️ All Plugged in, Sound Comparison More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs 310 🛜 Defcon 5🚨 Bass Alert! Take Shelter Immediately! 😲 Best Bass Goes To?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs 310 🥳 A Family Feud! Battery Powered🔋Bluetooth Party Speakers Face-Off🤬
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: LG XL7 vs JBL Partybox 310 🏠 Indoor Bluetooth Party Speaker Battle. Plugged in🔌
- GYMCADDY: LG XBOOM XL7 Vs JBL Partybox 310 Vs Sony XP700
- Stereo Specs: JBL PARTYBOX 310 VS SONY GTK XB72 SOUND TEST COMPARISON
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Sony SRS-XV900 vs JBL Partybox 310 - Can the JBL Middleweight 💪🏽 Compete With The Sony Heavyweight?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox 130
- JBL Partybox 310 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox 100
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox 110
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox 300
- See all 39 comparisons