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, out of doors use, even when they’re additionally completely suited to a comfy evening 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 vigorous occasion and searching good doing so. The Wonderboom 3, particularly, is famous for being probably the greatest 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 accessible from Amazon, Finest Purchase, Walmart, Goal, and straight from UE.com. It retails for round $100, although you will probably have the ability to 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 other than 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 lightweight inexperienced combo. I examined the black mannequin.

What I preferred concerning 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 won’t 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, 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 rivals. 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 fulfilling and complete listening expertise.

The wraparound grille additionally signifies that sound emits in each course, including a little bit of comfort and flexibility in relation to 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 suggest testing the Wonderboom 3 on this manner, 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 injury to its integrity. The Wonderboom 3 actually feels strong too, and whereas I am not inclined to throw across the speaker to my mates 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 exterior.

When it comes to 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 grasp 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 that likes a pop of colour and putting design. It is useful that aesthetics aren’t an alternative 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 facility button is the small, depressed possibility 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 possibly can play or pause music, skip to the subsequent tune, or use it to pair up with one other speaker. A 3rd button lets you pair through Bluetooth.

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

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The JBL Go 3 is significantly better outfitted for out of doors 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, partly 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 worth.

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 might slightly not have a bunch of various cords anymore. With so many merchandise harnessing the facility and comfort of USB-3, I might a lot slightly 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 may possibly get annoying should you’re touring because it very probably is likely to be the one machine 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 gives crisp and clear audio that is sufficient to fill a gathering of 15 to twenty folks, nevertheless it will not be the center of a bigger group in a much bigger house. And whereas it may possibly 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 hook up with UE’s companion app, which wasn’t a problem for me, however others is likely to be aggravated. Consider additionally that it may possibly solely join with different Wonderbooms, and never completely 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 might probably refill a smaller room inside and serve properly open air and on the go, significantly should you’re taking to extra vigorous adventures. The pleasing look an design, with its massive quantity buttons, smooth 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 well 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 exhibiting its age

Final Ears Wonderboom 3

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