The UE Wonderboom 3 is my secret weapon for summer time enjoyable

For years, Ultimate Ears has cultivated a popularity for crafting high quality Bluetooth audio system designed for lively, out of doors use, even when they’re additionally completely fitted to a comfy night time in. Among the firm’s audio system are even designed to not go just by the pool, however in the pool as nicely. With colourful designs, giant quantity buttons, and considerably complicated names, UE audio system are typically sturdy, transportable, and greater than able to sustaining a full of life occasion and looking out good doing so. The Wonderboom 3, particularly, is famous for being among the best UE audio system for its dimension and value.

I examined out the Wonderboom 3 to see the way it holds up and compares to different transportable Bluetooth speakers . This is what I discovered.

See our course of

How we test and review products at Pocket-lint

We do not do arm-chair analysis. We purchase and check our personal merchandise, and we solely publish purchaser’s guides with merchandise we have really reviewed.

Specs, value, and availability

The UE Wonderboom 3 is on the market from Amazon, Greatest Purchase, Walmart, Goal, and straight from UE.com. It retails for round $100, although you may possible be capable of discover it discounted as UE promotes its new lineup of next-gen audio system. Of word is the stereo encompass the Wonderboom 3 supplies, setting itself other than mono Bluetooth audio system. It is available in quite a lot of distinct colours with foolish names that typically denote pink, inexperienced, blue, lavender or a beige and light-weight inexperienced combo. I examined the black mannequin.

What I preferred in regards to the UE Wonderboom 3

High quality sound, nice design

The Wonderboom 3 provides spectacular stereo sound that is crispy, clear, and immersive at most volumes. It won’t maintain a big late-night get together, nevertheless it ought to help a decent-sized gathering in a yard or park. The stereo setup, with left and proper channels, might not be tremendous distinct just because the speaker is comparatively small, nevertheless it does assist put the Wonderboom 3 forward of equally sized and priced opponents. The speaker might be paired with one other Wonderboom 3, with every speaker taking the left and a proper channel respectively, permitting for a much more pleasurable and complete listening expertise.

The wraparound grille additionally implies that sound emits in each route, including a little bit of comfort and flexibility in the case of use.

The sturdy development and elemental safety make the Wonderboom 3 a terrific speaker for out of doors use. It is rated IP67, giving it resilience in opposition to rain and splashes. It may be submerged for as much as half-hour, although I do not advocate testing the Wonderboom 3 on this manner, primarily since you will not be capable of hear the sound it produces underwater that nicely. The Wonderboom 3’s make-up additionally provides safety in opposition to mud, primarily permitting you to take this speaker to the seashore, park, or on a hike with out a lot fear. It may be dropped from about 5 ft with out concern for harm to its integrity. The Wonderboom 3 actually feels strong too, and whereas I am not inclined to throw across the speaker to my pals just like the folks do in UE commercials for some purpose, I am not involved about it falling over, dropping, or transferring round when in use exterior.

When it comes to portability, I discovered the extra stout Wonderboom to be simply as transportable and straightforward to retailer as earlier entries within the UE household, if no more. I particularly loved the bungee loop cloth that means that you can hold or clip the speaker. The actual fact it is coloured to match the big quantity buttons on the speaker is a pleasant contact.

Certainly, it is also an aesthetically pleasing speaker, even the fashions which can be simply black. The Wonderboom 3 has a specific enjoyable really feel that’s superfluous to the sound high quality however that I take pleasure in as a easy one that likes a pop of colour and placing design. It is useful that aesthetics aren’t an alternative choice to audio high quality however an addition to it.

The Wonderboom 3’s controls are easy. The three buttons on the highest of the unit are conveniently organized, albeit not essentially the most intuitive. The ability button is the small, depressed possibility with a single LED line to point it is on or off (it isn’t the button I initially assumed would flip the speaker on). The middle button serves a number of makes use of: you may play or pause music, skip to the subsequent music, or use it to pair up with one other speaker. A 3rd button means that you can pair by way of Bluetooth.

On the underside of the speaker is an nearly hidden characteristic that is value utilizing. There is a button that means that you can activate the Out of doors Enhance characteristic, an audio preset designed to optimize sound whenever you’re in an open area missing partitions and surfaces. The distinction in sound is not important, however you’ll positively discover the increase.

Associated

4 reasons why I’d take the JBL Go 3 to the beach over Anker’s Bluetooth speaker

The JBL Go 3 is a lot better outfitted for out of doors treks this summer time.

What I disliked in regards to the Wonderboom 3

Dated connections and sluggish charging

Of all of the Wonderboom’s drawbacks, one is extra egregious than the remainder, partially because of the expectations surrounding electronics. I can settle for a scarcity of highly effective bass and a few slight distortion or discomfort when the quantity is about to the max. That is not essentially an anomaly with audio system of this dimension and value.

Nevertheless, it is annoying that the Wonderboom 3 nonetheless makes use of a micro-USB cable for charging. The speaker does include a cable, which is useful, however I would quite not have a bunch of various cords anymore. With so many merchandise harnessing the ability and comfort of USB-3, I would a lot quite have a Wonderboom that may use one too so I can simply swap out units. It is not a lot an issue at dwelling, however it might get annoying should you’re touring because it very possible may be the one gadget requiring such a twine.

The Wonderboom 3 begins to lose a little bit of oomph should you’re out in an open space and at a distance. It provides crisp and clear audio that is sufficient to fill a gathering of 15 to twenty folks, nevertheless it will not be the guts of a bigger group in a much bigger area. And whereas it might maintain that soirée going with a good battery lifetime of about 14 hours, it does take over two hours to cost totally, so ensure you’re able to go. The dearth of quick charging is a bummer, nevertheless it’s not a dealbreaker.

The Wonderboom 3 cannot connect with UE’s companion app, which wasn’t a difficulty for me, however others may be irritated. Take note additionally that it might solely join with different Wonderbooms, and never completely different UE speaker fashions.

Do you have to purchase the Wonderboom 3?

The UE Wonderboom 3 is a dependable and sturdy Bluetooth speaker that serves as a worthwhile companion for anybody who needs a speaker on the transfer with them. It may possibly refill a smaller room inside and serve nicely open air and on the go, notably should you’re taking to extra full of life adventures. The pleasing look an design, with its giant quantity buttons, comfortable exterior, and colour choices, additionally make it enjoyable to take a look at and have round those that care about aesthetics, like me. It is definitely worth the funding at a reduced value, and regardless of newer fashions supplanting it, there’s nonetheless worth available, particularly as UE audio system are likely to final for a few years.

Nice, however exhibiting its age

Final Ears Wonderboom 3

A great mixture of dimension, fashion, sound and waterproof design makes this speaker very onerous to beat.