The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is the next generation of the brand's budget speaker, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2. It has an identical design to the WONDERBOOM 2, with the same oversized volume buttons on the side, and offers a similar 13-hour battery life. This small speaker has a stretchy strap to carry or hang it up with. Also, its IP67 rating for dust and water resistance means it can withstand dust and water exposure. Its design is well-suited for its intended purpose as a portable speaker, but it lacks sound customization features and support for voice assistants, like most speakers in its price range.
Our Verdict
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is alright for music. It has a balanced sound profile, making it great for listening to a wide variety of music genres. However, like most speakers its size, it doesn't get incredibly loud, and it lacks a thumpy low-bass, so it's better suited for listening in a bedroom instead of in a big backyard. It has little compression at max volume, so your favorite songs sound clean and clear when you blast the speaker. It also offers a wide and spacious-sounding soundstage thanks to its 360-degree design. Unfortunately, there's no graphic EQ to customize its sound to your liking.
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Little compression at max volume.
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Wide and immersive soundstage.
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No graphic EQ.
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Lacks low-bass.
While it isn't specifically designed for this, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is adequate for watching videos and movies. It has fairly low Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices, so the visuals you see on the screen and the audio you hear remain synchronized. Its 360-degree design helps it offer a wide and spacious-sounding soundstage. That said, like most speakers its size, it doesn't get incredibly loud, so it's better suited for listening in smaller or medium-sized rooms.
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Low Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices.
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Wide and immersive soundstage.
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No graphic EQ.
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Lacks low-bass.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is very good for podcasts. It has a balanced sound profile with a neutral mid-range that ensures voices and lead instruments sound clear and present in the mix, making it great for dialogue-centric audio content like audiobooks and podcasts. Its 360-degree design means you can hear your audio clearly from most angles. It supports multi-device pairing, so it's easy to switch audio sources. However, it doesn't get extremely loud, like most small speakers, so it's better for listening in smaller areas.
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Little compression at max volume.
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Wide and immersive soundstage.
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Incredibly portable.
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No graphic EQ.
This speaker doesn't support voice assistants.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is very good for outdoor use. It has a very sturdy build and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. It floats in water, so you don't have to worry about dropping it in the pool. Its 360 design helps you hear audio clearly from every angle, and it's incredibly portable, with a lightweight design and built-in carrying hook. Also, while it doesn't get that loud, there isn't much compression at max volume, so your favorite songs sound clean and clear when the volume's all the way up. An 'Outdoor Mode' also makes elements like voices louder and easier to hear. Its continuous battery life of 13 hours makes it great for long days at the beach.
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IP67 rating.
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Floats in water.
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Over 13 hours of playtime.
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Incredibly portable.
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No graphic EQ.
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Lacks low-bass.
- 6.8 Music
- 6.2 Videos/Movies
- 7.9 Podcasts
- 3.2 Voice Assistant
- 7.9 Outdoors
- Updated Sep 20, 2024: This review has been updated to mention the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 in the Battery and Bluetooth sections.
- Updated Sep 09, 2024: We've updated the Battery after re-testing this speaker's battery life. We've also updated other relevant parts of the review, including the intro and product comparison sections.
- Updated Aug 26, 2024: We've updated theFrequency Response Accuracybox to provide some details on this speaker's performance using 'Outdoor' mode.
- Updated Jun 20, 2024: We've added a comparison between this speaker and the Sonos Roam 2 in Voice Assistant.
- Updated May 08, 2024: We've added a comparison between this speaker and the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 in Frequency Response Accuracy.
- Updated Feb 19, 2024: Added more information in the App box as this speaker isn't compatible with UE's PartyUp feature.
- Updated Sep 01, 2023: Made minor edits to bring the text up to date.
- Updated Sep 22, 2022: Review published.
- Updated Sep 16, 2022: Early access published.
- Updated Sep 13, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Sep 07, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Aug 24, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
This speaker comes in four color variants expected to perform similarly: 'Active Black,' 'Performance Blue,' 'Hyper Pink,' 'Joyous Bright,' Spruce Green,' and 'Digital Lavender.' This review represents the test results for the 'Joyous Bright' variant; you can find its label here.
If you encounter a variant not listed here, let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Speakers
This small Bluetooth speaker is the next generation of the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2. It sports a nearly identical design to its predecessor and still has a Micro-USB port for charging. It doesn't work with the Ultimate Ears app, unlike bigger, pricier Ultimate Ears speakers like the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3, and doesn't come with sound customization features like an EQ. That said, its sound profile sounded a touch fuller and brighter than the WONDERBOOM 2.
Check out our recommendations for the best portable Bluetooth speakers, the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers, and the best Bluetooth speakers under $100.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Flip 6, though they have different strengths. The Ultimate Ears is a stereo speaker that offers a much wider and more immersive soundstage performance. It gets about as loud as the JBL but with less compression at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio quality when you blast your favorite songs. Its battery life of over 13 hours makes it better suited for longer listening sessions. If you like having more control over your speaker's sound profile, go for the JBL. It has a graphic EQ to customize its sound profile to your liking. It also produces a bass that's a touch deeper than the WONDERBOOM 3, but not by much.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is a slightly better speaker than the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3. The WONDERBOOM 3 is more compact and easier to carry on the go. Its sound profile is more balanced overall and can produce a slightly more extended low bass. That said, the BOOM 3 is compatible with the Ultimate Ears app, which gives you access to a graphic EQ and presets to customize its sound to your liking. It also has lower latency with iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth.
Though the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is a better speaker than the Bose SoundLink Flex, they have different strengths. The Ultimate Ears offers a wider and more spacious sounding soundstage. It also plays stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. It has less compression at max volume, so your audio quality sounds cleaner when you blast the speaker. On a single charge, it also has a significantly longer-lasting battery life of over 13 hours. On the other hand, the Bose SoundLink Flex can produce a deeper bass and supports voice assistants through your smartphone.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 and WONDERBOOM 3 are very similar speakers. The main differences are that the WONDERBOOM 4 charges using USB-C and has a 'Podcast' mode. If you watch videos, its lower latency will make a difference in syncing audio and video. However, if you can find the WONDERBOOM 3 at a discount and don't mind the older micro-USB charging port, besides the audio latency, the performance difference is minor.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is slightly better than the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2, but not by much. While they have a comparable battery life performance, the newer version's sound profile also sounds brighter and fuller overall. Otherwise, the two speakers are almost identical. It isn't worth the upgrade if you already own a WONDERBOOM 2. If you want a new, small, portable Ultimate Ears speaker, choose the WONDERBOOM 3 instead.
The Sony SRS-XB100 and the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 are both portable speakers designed for on-the-go use. However, the Ultimate Ears model has the edge over the Sony for most uses. While the two have a similarly balanced sound profile (though both struggle to reproduce low bass), the Ultimate Ears speaker can get louder and has better directivity, so audio sounds consistent from different angles around the speaker. The Ultimate Ears also has a better build quality and features multi-device pairing. That said, the Sony has voice assistant compatibility, although this isn't built-in, so you'll need to use a device that features a voice assistant. The Sony also has companion app compatibility, so you can view your connected devices and power the speaker down from your phone.
The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a slightly better speaker than the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3. The MEGABOOM 3 offers a boomy sound profile that can produce a more extended low bass than the WONDERBOOM 3. It's also compatible with the Ultimate Ears app, which features a graphic EQ and presets to customize its sound profile to your liking. Plus, it has a slightly longer battery life. However, the WONDERBOOM 3 is smaller, making it more portable and easy to sling in a backpack or bag.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Flip 5. While they're both small, portable speakers with no sound customization options, the Ultimate Ears has better directivity and less compression at max volume than the JBL. It also has a significantly longer battery, so you don't have to worry about charging it regularly. That said, unlike the JBL, the Ultimate Ears model doesn't have a companion app that you can use to easily update the firmware or pair with other speakers.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is a better portable speaker for most uses than the Anker Soundcore Boom 2. It's better built, lighter, and more portable than the Anker, although it lacks a built-in carrying handle. There's less bass on tap with the Ultimate Ears, but it has a more detailed treble reproduction, and its directivity is much better, thanks to its cylindrical design. While it can't get quite as loud as the Anker, there's significantly less compression at max volume. That said, the Anker has better physical controls and a slightly longer battery life, and you can adjust the sound via a graphic EQ and presets in the companion app.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is a better speaker in almost every regard than the Anker Soundcore 3. The Anker has a companion app, voice assistant compatibility, and a more comprehensive control scheme. However, the Ultimate Ears is better built and features fewer compression artifacts at maximum volume. It also has significantly better directivity, thanks to its barrel-shaped design.
The Sony ULT FIELD 1 and the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 are both super portable, lightweight speakers. Unless you're dead set on a speaker with voice assistant support or want a slightly punchier sound, the Ultimate Ears is likely the better choice. Although its bass range doesn't extend as low as the Sony, it has vastly better directivity, thanks to its 360-degree design. It can also reach a similar volume, with much less compression at max volume. The Ultimate Ears has a substantially longer battery life, at over 13 hours, while the Sony stands at a little over six.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is better than the Anker Soundcore Flare 2 overall. The Ultimate Ears is better built and has a longer battery life of over 13 hours on a single charge. It gets a touch louder with much less compression present at max volume. It's also smaller and more portable. If you like controlling your speaker's sound profile, the Flare 2 comes with a graphic EQ and presets to tweak its sound to your liking. Since it's larger, it also produces a deeper bass. It even supports voice assistants through your smartphone.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is a better speaker than the Sony SRS-XB13 overall. The Ultimate Ears is better built, gets louder than the Sony, and can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, resulting in a more immersive soundstage. Its sound profile is more balanced overall. Its 13-hour battery life is slightly longer, too, though this varies depending on your usage habits and chosen volume levels. The Sony is smaller and has lower Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone.
While both the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 and the Sonos Roam 2 are small, portable Bluetooth speakers, they offer different pros and cons. If you care about voice assistant support, the Sonos speaker provides it in the form of built-in Amazon Alexa and Sonos' own assistant. It also supports Wi-Fi, and you can pair the speaker with other Sonos products. On the other hand, the Ultimate Ears packs more of a punch regarding longevity: it has a greater battery life and build quality. Although both speakers are rated IP67, the Ultimate Ears can float in water, which is handy for hot days by the pool. It lacks customization features, though.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Clip 4 overall. The Ultimate Ears can get louder with less compression at max volume, so your audio sounds cleaner when you blast the speaker. Its more balanced sound profile can produce a slightly deeper bass. It also has a long-lasting battery life of over 13 hours from a single charge, unlike the JBL's 5.5 hours. The JBL is smaller and has a built-in carabiner hook, making it easier to transport. It also has lower Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Go 3. The Ultimate Ears can produce a more extended low bass and can get louder. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, resulting in a more immersive soundstage overall. Its battery life is also much longer than that of the JBL model. It's also better built, and the manufacturer advertises it to float in water. That said, the JBL is smaller, making it more portable.
The Sonos Roam/Roam SL and the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 are small speakers with different strengths. While they're both portable and very well-built, the Ultimate Ears speaker has better directivity and a wider soundstage. It also has less compression at maximum volume and a longer battery life. That said, the Sonos allows you to adjust its bass and treble levels, and its Roam variant has voice assistant compatibility. Its Wi-Fi compatibility makes it a great choice to integrate into an existing Sonos home setup or establish one.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is better for music than the Bushnell Wingman Mini. The Ultimate Ears has a longer battery life and can get louder than the Bushnell. Plus, unlike the Bushnell, it can playback stereo content without downmixing it to mono. Its default sound is more neutral, too, which some users may prefer. However, the Bushnell is designed with golfers in mind, and its golf-centric companion app may be worth it for those who like to listen to music out on the course.
Test Results
It's a small portable speaker with a nearly identical design to its predecessor, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2. It has the same barrel shape, Ultimate Ears' distinctive oversized volume buttons, and a small, stretchy, built-in strap so you can hang the speaker from a hook or attach it to your backpack when you're on the go. We tested it in 'Joyous Bright', but it also comes in five other colors, 'Active Black', 'Performance Blue', 'Hyper Pink', Spruce Green', and 'Digital Lavender', so you can choose one that suits your style.
The speaker is remarkably portable. It's as lightweight and small as the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2, so you can easily hold it in one hand and bring it with you when you're out and about. It also comes with a similar, small, built-in strap to suspend it from a hook or attach it to your bag.
It has a fantastic build quality. The speaker feels very solid and robust. The fabric wrap is tight, and the stretchy carrying strap doesn't feel like it'll rip easily. It's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, meaning it's certified to be fully dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. It also floats in water. The manufacturer advises rinsing the speaker with fresh water after exposing it to pool or beach water.
It has a simple selection of controls that are easy to use. You can access basic audio controls with the big center button on top and the oversized +/-buttons on the speaker's side. When adjusting the volume, the audio fades momentarily to indicate when you've reached the maximum. The power button lights up when the speaker is on, and you'll also hear chimes when it powers on and enters pairing mode. However, it would be nice to be able to skip the track backward instead of just forward. You can't connect the speaker to its predecessor, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2.
Centre button:
- Single press: Play/pause audio
- Double-press: Skip forward
- Press and hold: Connect with another WONDERBOOM 3 speaker and switch between stereo and mono modes.
Bluetooth button:
- Press and hold: Enter pairing mode
+/- buttons:
- Single press + button: Volume up
- Single press - button: Volume down
- Press both at once: Check battery status. The speaker emits an audible tone to let you know if the battery is low, medium, or full.
Out-of-the-box, its frequency response accuracy isn't bad. Like the WONDERBOOM 2, the sound profile is mostly balanced, and vocals and lead instruments sound clear and present in the mix, making it suitable for listening to a wide variety of audio content, from your favorite songs to podcasts and audiobooks. That said, like most speakers its size, this one lacks a thumpy low bass, and it doesn't have a feature for additional bass, like the BassUp feature on the Anker Soundcore Boom 2. While it can produce as deep a bass and as high treble as its predecessor, its sound profile is a touch brighter overall, and the speaker sounds subtly fuller.
Also, like the WONDERBOOM 2, it doesn't come with a graphic EQ to customize its sound to your liking, and there's an 'Outdoor' mode button underneath the speaker that makes audio sound a bit crisper for when you're outdoors. We tested both the frequency response accuracy and the SPL using this mode and noticed there was a slight increase in volume, coupled with boosts to the mid and treble ranges that brought out vocals and speech. The bass range was reduced, presumably because bass frequencies struggle to carry in outdoor situations anyway due to their wavelength and the lack of reflective surfaces.
This speaker has a fantastic soundstage performance. It has a 360-degree design, and the audio sounds the same from every angle, so if you set it in the middle of a room or table, everyone can hear clearly.
It plays stereo content, so instruments and sound effects in your audio are localized to either the speaker's left or right sides. You can also pair it with another WONDERBOOM 3 for stereo content, although it doesn't work with the previous model, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2.
This speaker has decent dynamics. While it doesn't get loud enough to fill a large, crowded space with sound, it still gets loud enough to fill smaller areas like your bedroom with sound. It also has little compression present at max volume, so your favorite songs sound clean and clear when you blast the speaker, and audio quality doesn't degrade much as you bump up the volume.
It has an amazing battery performance. We measured a little more than 13 hours, which is slightly less than the 14 hours advertised. Battery life varies depending on your usage habits and chosen volume levels. The speaker also has a power-saving feature that switches it off after 15 minutes of inactivity. This is virtually the same as the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4, with the main difference being the WONDERBOOM 4 uses USB-C to charge instead of the micro-USB port on the WONDERBOOM 3.
This speaker doesn't have voice assistant support. If you're looking for a portable speaker with this feature, then try the Sonos Roam 2.
Unlike other UE speakers, this model doesn't have a companion app. Plus, you're pretty limited when it comes to connecting the speaker to other UE models. You can pair two WONDERBOOM 3 speakers, but it's not backward compatible with older models. Also, it's not compatible with UE's PartyUp feature, so you can't pair it with multiple speakers to amplify sound across your next party.
This speaker only works via Bluetooth and doesn't have any wired inputs besides its micro-USB charging port, so you can't use it by plugging it into a computer's audio jack, for example.
It has great Bluetooth connectivity. Like the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2, you can connect up to two devices to the speaker at once, so you and a friend can control the music without disconnecting and reconnecting your audio sources. It has a much larger range than the WONDERBOOM 2, so your paired devices remain connected to the speaker from further away. It also has lower latency with iOS and Android devices, so the audio you hear stays in sync with the visuals you see on your screen when you use the speaker to watch movies and videos. That said, if you plan on watching a lot of videos, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 has lower latency for a tighter lipsync.