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

For years, Ultimate Ears has cultivated a status for crafting high quality Bluetooth audio system designed for energetic, out of doors use, even when they’re additionally completely fitted to a comfortable night time in. A number 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 full of life occasion and looking out good doing so. The Wonderboom 3, specifically, is famous for being the most effective 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 . Here is what I discovered.

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Specs, value, 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 possible have the ability to discover it discounted as UE promotes its new lineup of next-gen audio system. Of notice is the stereo encompass the Wonderboom 3 offers, setting itself other than 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 in regards to the UE Wonderboom 3

High quality sound, nice design

The Wonderboom 3 gives spectacular stereo sound that is crispy, clear, and immersive at most volumes. It may not 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, 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 pleasing and complete listening expertise.

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

The sturdy building 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 means, primarily since you will not have the ability to hear the sound it produces underwater that properly. The Wonderboom 3’s make-up additionally gives safety in opposition to 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 pals just like the folks do in UE commercials for some motive, I am not involved about it falling over, dropping, or shifting 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 cloth that means that you can cling or clip the speaker. The very 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 might be simply black. The Wonderboom 3 has a selected enjoyable really feel that’s superfluous to the sound high quality however that I take pleasure in as a easy one who likes a pop of coloration and putting 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 isn’t the button I initially assumed would flip the speaker on). The middle button serves a number of makes use of: you’ll be able to 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 virtually hidden function that is price utilizing. There is a button that means that you can activate the Out of doors Increase function, an audio preset designed to optimize sound while 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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The JBL Go 3 is significantly better outfitted for out of doors treks this summer time.

What I disliked in regards to the Wonderboom 3

Dated connections and gradual charging

Of all of the Wonderboom’s drawbacks, one is extra egregious than the remaining, partially because of the expectations surrounding electronics. I can settle for an absence of highly effective bass and a few slight distortion or discomfort when the amount 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 might moderately not have a bunch of various cords anymore. With so many merchandise harnessing the ability and comfort of USB-3, I might a lot moderately have a Wonderboom that may use one too so I can simply change out gadgets. It isn’t a lot an issue at dwelling, however it could actually get annoying should you’re touring because it very possible is likely to be the one system requiring such a wire.

The Wonderboom 3 begins to lose a little bit of oomph should you’re out in an open space and at a distance. It gives 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 could actually preserve that soirée going with an honest battery lifetime of about 14 hours, it does take over two hours to cost absolutely, so be sure 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 is likely to be irritated. Have in mind additionally that it could actually 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 desires a speaker on the transfer with them. It could possibly refill a smaller room inside and serve properly outdoor and on the go, notably should you’re taking to extra full of life adventures. The pleasing look an design, with its massive quantity buttons, mushy exterior, and coloration 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 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

An excellent mixture of dimension, fashion, sound and waterproof design makes this speaker very exhausting to beat.