Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 | |||||
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Awards | Best Bang for Your Buck | Best for Travel | Strong Value on a Tight Budget | ||
Price | $100 List $79.50 at Amazon | $130 List $99.95 at Amazon | $80 List $49.95 at Amazon | $51 List $50.99 at Amazon | $37 List $36.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | Waterproof, impact-resistant, and compact, this speaker is capable of accompanying you on all your adventures | A great balance of sound quality, portability, and price | Conveniently small and light, this speaker sounds excellent for its size, and its clip feature makes it easy to take anywhere | While this speaker can't match the sound quality of its more expensive competitors, it's still a good option at an attractive price | A good, inexpensive option for those that want something waterproof |
Rating Categories | Ultimate Ears Wonde... | JBL Flip 5 | JBL Clip 4 | Anker Soundcore 3 | Tribit XSound Go |
Sound Quality (40%) | |||||
Portability (25%) | |||||
Volume (20%) | |||||
Battery Life (15%) | |||||
Specs | Ultimate Ears Wonde... | JBL Flip 5 | JBL Clip 4 | Anker Soundcore 3 | Tribit XSound Go |
Dimensions (in x in x in) | 3.68" x 3.68" x 4.02" | 3.64" x 3.6" x 8.5" | 1.8" x 3.4" x 5.3" | 6.9" x 2.4" x 2.2" | 6.7" x 2.3" x 2.2" |
Inputs and Charging Ports | Micro USB port | Micro USB port | USB-C port | USB-C port | Charging port, Micro-USB, 3.5mm auxillary input |
IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 | IP67 | IPX7 | IPX7 |
Reported Weight (ounces) | 15.04 oz | 19.04 oz | 8.48 oz | 13.12 oz | 13.4 oz |
Measured Weight | 14.9 oz | 19 oz | 8.13 oz | 17.8 oz | 13.4 oz |
Wireless Range (feet) | 100 | Not Listed | Not Listed | 66 | 66 |
Reported Battery Life (hours) | 13 | 12 | 10 | 24 | 24 |
Measured Battery Life (hours) | 13 | 27 | 27 | 16.75 | 18.5 |
Our Analysis and Test Results
In addition to the slick aesthetic (which we love), the Wonderboom 2 is designed to churn out some serious beats and take a serious beating. It's waterproof, impact-resistant, and is exceptionally loud considering its portable size.
Performance Comparison
Sound Quality
The Wonderboom 2 produces pleasant sounds at medium volumes, offering a relatively flat response. Compared to higher scoring models from Bose, this speaker doesn't sound as full, but the Wonderboom 2 is much easier to cart around than its better-sounding competitors. For discerning audiophiles, this speaker won't cut it, as it quickly loses clarity at higher volumes, especially in the low end. Folks who prioritize cutting the rug wherever they go over impeccable audio quality aren't likely to be bothered. The latest iteration of the Wonderboom has an “Outdoor boost” button that adds a hefty mid boost, effectively enhancing its projection so it can cut through ambient noise and conversation. Combined with its cylindrical shape, the outdoor boost is a great addition, making this speaker more audible in all directions.
Portability
This rough and tumble model can take just about anything you can throw at it. It has an IP67 rating, meaning it's dustproof and water-resistant to a meter of submersion. Should the revelry get too out of hand and you and your speaker end up in the water, the Wonderboom floats along with you. It has an elastic loop so you can clip it to a belt or backpack with a carabiner, and you can pair two together for a stereo experience.
Volume
The aptly named Wonderboom 2 produces bone-rattling volume despite its small size (3.68" x 3.68" x 4.02", cylinder-shaped). It has consistent projection, losing only 2 decibels over a listening range of 30 feet. It also cranks out the jams louder than most portable speakers we've tested, with a max volume of 89 decibels. Once this speaker is running hot, it distorts and loses much of its clarity, making for a poor listening experience over 75% of its maximum volume.
Battery Life
UE states that the Wonderboom 2 can play music for 13 hours on a full charge, and our independent testing confirms 13 hours of life while playing music at 75% volume, no more, no less. Against the competition, this is the low end of battery life, with the top scorers blasting beats for more than 30 hours.
Value
The water and impact resistance built into this little sonic bomb up the value factor quite a bit. It's a great choice for the beach or camping and for kids who are generally hard on their stuff. For the price, there are models out there that offer better quality audio, but few pack as much punch, or take as many punches, as the Wonderboom 2
Conclusion
If you're about to embark on a road trip, move into a dorm room, or head to the beach, the Wonderboom 2 is well-equipped to handle the rigors of the road and the hazards of a spontaneous life of the go. For those who have more to spend or are hunting for excellent audio quality, it would be prudent to look elsewhere.