Ultimate Ears Boom 3

Alright, let’s get into the Ultimate Ears Boom 3. This thing’s pretty well-known for being a solid portable Bluetooth speaker. First off, the sound quality is impressive for its size. You get clear highs, balanced mids, and a surprisingly thumpy bass. It’s one of those speakers that can fill a room or do justice to your party playlist outdoors without sounding tinny or blowing out. But, if you’re a bass-head looking for ground-shaking lows, you might find it doesn’t quite hit that mark. Still, it punches above its weight class overall.

Now, let’s talk about the build. The Boom 3 is rugged, like really rugged. It’s got an IP67 rating, which means it’s dustproof and waterproof. You can drop it in the pool, and it’ll keep playing without a hitch. Plus, it floats — which is more than I can say for most things I accidentally drop in water. The fabric on this thing feels durable too, so it should handle a fair bit of knocking around in your bag. Just know, it’s not indestructible, but it’s tough enough for most adventures.

Battery life is another area where the Boom 3 does pretty well. Ultimate Ears claims 15 hours of playtime, and while real-world use might shave a couple of hours off that, it’s still enough to get you through a full day. Charging is done via micro-USB, which feels a bit old-school these days. Would have been nice to see USB-C for faster charging and future-proofing. But hey, if you’re cool with plugging in overnight, it’s not a deal-breaker.

Let’s not forget the controls. The Boom 3 has a big ol’ “magic button” on top that lets you play, pause, and skip tracks without needing to mess with your phone. It’s handy, especially if your phone’s buried somewhere in your bag. Pairing is a breeze, too, and you can connect up to two devices at once. Though, I did notice that its Bluetooth range isn’t as long as some other speakers out there, so don’t wander too far with your phone.

Overall, the Boom 3 is a solid choice if you want something that sounds good and can take a beating. It’s not the cheapest option out there, but you’re paying for a mix of sound quality and durability. If you’re looking for a reliable speaker that you can toss in your backpack and forget about until you need it, this one’s worth considering. Just remember, no speaker is perfect, and your needs might be different — so think about what matters most to you before clicking “buy.”