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

For years, Ultimate Ears has cultivated a repute 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 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 energetic occasion and searching good doing so. The Wonderboom 3, particularly, is famous for being the most effective UE audio system for its measurement and value.

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

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Specs, value, and availability

The UE Wonderboom 3 is accessible from Amazon, Finest Purchase, Walmart, Goal, and instantly from UE.com. It retails for round $100, although you will seemingly be capable to 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 aside from mono Bluetooth audio system. It is available in a wide range of distinct colours with foolish names that usually denote pink, inexperienced, blue, lavender or a beige and light-weight inexperienced combo. I examined the black mannequin.

What I appreciated concerning the UE Wonderboom 3

High quality sound, nice design

The Wonderboom 3 presents spectacular stereo sound that is crispy, clear, and immersive at most volumes. It may not maintain a big late-night occasion, nevertheless it ought to help a decent-sized gathering in a yard or park. The stereo setup, with left and proper channels, is probably not 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 path, 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 towards rain and splashes. It may be submerged for as much as half-hour, although I do not advocate testing the Wonderboom 3 on this means, primarily since you will not be capable to hear the sound it produces underwater that properly. The Wonderboom 3’s make-up additionally presents safety towards mud, primarily 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 associates 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 outdoors.

By way of portability, I discovered the extra stout Wonderboom to be simply as transportable and simple to retailer as earlier entries within the UE household, if no more. I particularly loved the bungee loop material that lets you hold or clip the speaker. The very 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 are 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 essentially the most intuitive. The facility button is the small, depressed choice 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 following track, or use it to pair up with one other speaker. A 3rd button lets you pair by way of Bluetooth.

On the underside of the speaker is an virtually hidden function that is price utilizing. There is a button that lets you 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 enhance.

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What I disliked concerning the Wonderboom 3

Dated connections and gradual charging

Of all of the Wonderboom’s drawbacks, one is extra egregious than the remaining, partially as a result of expectations surrounding electronics. I can settle for an absence 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 measurement and value.

Nonetheless, 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 moderately not have a bunch of various cords anymore. With so many merchandise harnessing the ability and comfort of USB-3, I would a lot moderately have a Wonderboom that may use one too so I can simply change out units. It is not a lot an issue at residence, however it may get annoying if you happen to’re touring because it very seemingly could be the one system requiring such a wire.

The Wonderboom 3 begins to lose a little bit of oomph if you happen to’re out in an open space and at a distance. It presents 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 may preserve that soirée going with an honest 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 hook up with UE’s companion app, which wasn’t a difficulty for me, however others could be irritated. Bear in mind additionally that it may solely join with different Wonderbooms, and never totally different UE speaker fashions.

Must you 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 replenish a smaller room inside and serve properly outdoor and on the go, notably if you happen to’re taking to extra energetic 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 value, 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 exhibiting its age

Final Ears Wonderboom 3

A really perfect mixture of measurement, fashion, sound and waterproof design makes this speaker very onerous to beat.