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

For years, Ultimate Ears has cultivated a repute for crafting high quality Bluetooth audio system designed for energetic, outside use, even when they’re additionally completely fitted to a comfy night time in. A few of the firm’s audio system are even designed to not go just by the pool, however in the pool as properly. With colourful designs, massive quantity buttons, and considerably complicated names, UE audio system are usually sturdy, transportable, and greater than able to sustaining a vigorous occasion and searching good doing so. The Wonderboom 3, specifically, is famous for being top-of-the-line UE audio system for its dimension and worth.

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.

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Specs, worth, and availability

The UE Wonderboom 3 is out there from Amazon, Finest Purchase, Walmart, Goal, and instantly from UE.com. It retails for round $100, although you may doubtless be capable of discover it discounted as UE promotes its new lineup of next-gen audio system. Of observe is the stereo encompass the Wonderboom 3 supplies, setting itself aside from mono Bluetooth audio system. It is available in quite a lot of distinct colours with foolish names that usually denote pink, inexperienced, blue, lavender or a beige and lightweight inexperienced combo. I examined the black mannequin.

What I preferred concerning the UE Wonderboom 3

High quality sound, nice design

The Wonderboom 3 affords spectacular stereo sound that is crispy, clear, and immersive at most volumes. It may not maintain a big late-night celebration, nevertheless it ought to assist 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 could 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 path, including a little bit of comfort and flexibility in relation to use.

The sturdy development and elemental safety make the Wonderboom 3 a terrific speaker for outside use. It is rated IP67, giving it resilience towards rain and splashes. It may be submerged for as much as half-hour, although I do not suggest testing the Wonderboom 3 on this means, primarily since you will not be capable of hear the sound it produces underwater that properly. The Wonderboom 3’s make-up additionally affords safety towards mud, basically permitting you to take this speaker to the seaside, 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 buddies just like the folks do in UE commercials for some motive, 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 massive quantity buttons on the speaker is a pleasant contact.

Certainly, it is also an aesthetically pleasing speaker, even the fashions which might be simply black. The Wonderboom 3 has a specific enjoyable really feel that’s superfluous to the sound high quality however that I get pleasure from as a easy one who likes a pop of coloration and hanging 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 probably the most intuitive. The ability button is the small, depressed choice with a single LED line to point it is on or off (it is not 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 track, 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 function that is price utilizing. There is a button that means that you can activate the Out of doors Enhance function, an audio preset designed to optimize sound whenever you’re in an open area missing partitions and surfaces. The distinction in sound is not vital, however you’ll positively discover the increase.

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The JBL Go 3 is significantly better outfitted for outside treks this summer time.

What I disliked concerning 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 amount is ready to the max. That is not essentially an anomaly with audio system of this dimension and worth.

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 might reasonably not have a bunch of various cords anymore. With so many merchandise harnessing the ability and comfort of USB-3, I might a lot reasonably have a Wonderboom that may use one too so I can simply swap out units. It isn’t a lot an issue at house, however it might probably get annoying in the event you’re touring because it very doubtless is perhaps the one gadget requiring such a twine.

The Wonderboom 3 begins to lose a little bit of oomph in the event you’re out in an open space and at a distance. It affords 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 an even bigger area. And whereas it might probably hold that soirée going with a good battery lifetime of about 14 hours, it does take over two hours to cost absolutely, so be sure you’re able to go. The shortage of quick charging is a bummer, nevertheless it’s not a dealbreaker.

The Wonderboom 3 cannot hook up with UE’s companion app, which wasn’t a difficulty for me, however others is perhaps irritated. Consider additionally that it might probably solely join with different Wonderbooms, and never totally 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 desires a speaker on the transfer with them. It could refill a smaller room inside and serve properly open air and on the go, notably in the event you’re taking to extra vigorous adventures. The pleasing look an design, with its massive quantity buttons, smooth exterior, and coloration choices, additionally make it enjoyable to have a look at and have round those that care about aesthetics, like me. It is definitely worth the funding at a reduced worth, and regardless of newer fashions supplanting it, there may be nonetheless worth available, particularly as UE audio system are likely to final for a few years.

Nice, however displaying its age

Final Ears Wonderboom 3

A perfect mixture of dimension, type, sound and waterproof design makes this speaker very arduous to beat.