Short answer: the Sony ULT Tower 5. It ranks #5 of 51 party speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $348. The Zealot PT21 ranks #12, rated 4.1/5, at $225.86, $122.14 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Sony ULT Tower 5 is the better-sounding option. A powerful party tower with deep bass, a removable long battery, and mic and XLR inputs for karaoke or DJ use. Watch for: It has a shorter 20-hour battery claim than the Sony ULT Tower 7’s 30 hours, no wheels, and only IPX4 splash resistance.
The Zealot PT21 is the longer-running, lighter option. A lighter party speaker with surprisingly deep bass for the money, a long battery, and a wireless mic for karaoke. It is rated for 60 hours of battery against 20 for the Sony ULT Tower 5. At 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Sony ULT Tower 5 at 28 lbs (12.7 kg). The catch: Unlike some other Zealot models, app-based EQ customization doesn’t appear to be fully supported yet, and IPX5 means it can handle splashes but not submersion.
Buy the Sony ULT Tower 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $122.14 with the Zealot PT21 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A powerful party tower with deep bass, a removable long battery, and mic and XLR inputs for karaoke or DJ use.
A lighter party speaker with surprisingly deep bass for the money, a long battery, and a wireless mic for karaoke.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony ULT Tower 5 | Zealot PT21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $348.00 | $225.86 |
| Ranked | #5 of 51 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #12 of 51 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Sound Connect) | No |
| Aux Input | RCA input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (manufacturer specified) | 60 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| 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) | 21.1” x 8.6” x 11.9” (535 x 219 x 303 mm) |
| Drivers | 3 drivers: 1x 9” woofer, 2x 2.4” tweeter | 2x 166mm woofers + tweeters + midrange drivers |
| EQ | Yes (10 band; ULT1 / ULT2 / Flat) | Yes (Bass, Voice, Standard modes) |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 300W | 200W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C charging) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | Type-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Stereo Pair) | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-A and USB-C) | Yes |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Battery Capacity | - | 48000mAh (12x4000mAh) |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
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