Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 review

A product announced back in 2018, some things never change. Promising 360-degree spatial sound, “thundering bass,” and a virtually indestructible design — what else could you want in a portable outdoor speaker? In this Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 3 review, we aim to determine if the years have been kind to this go-to party speaker and how it holds up in 2024.

What you need to know about the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3

The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 has been available for several years and is designed to take on almost anything you’ll find while getting rowdy in the great outdoors. An IP67 rating makes this outdoor speaker both water-proof and dust-proof, but it’s also drop-proof (from 1 meter) and buoyant.

Its cylindrical shape design enhances its “stereophonic” sound and portability, but long story short, it’s an omnidirectional speaker. The MegaBoom 3 will fit in your backpack, but you’ll know it’s there. It’s not the most lightweight outdoor speaker, but considering its durability, a bit of heft isn’t a bad trade-off. You’re also supplied with a small loop attachment to help with placement options around camp or at the lake.

A quick note about the Megaboom 3’s omnidirectional design: You’ll generally want to place the speaker in the center of your social gathering so all your guests can fully take advantage of its 360-degree sound. If you’re looking for a speaker for casual home use and have sensitive neighbors, consider a more traditional, directional-sounding Bluetooth speaker.

What’s good about the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3?

As mentioned, the Megaboom 3 can handle the bumps and bruises of travel and camp life without a problem. With a rubberized top and bottom, the rest of the speaker is wrapped in a highly durable fabric, which Ultimate Ears quotes is a material “engineered for applications like motorcycle jackets and fire equipment.” Safe to say, this speaker is Ghost Rider approved.

Once paired, using the Megaboom 3 is dead simple, thanks to the massive + and – volume controls directly on the front of the speaker. While the speaker’s stock EQ setting is usable, you can download the Ultimate Ears app and personalize your sound via the supplied 5-band EQ. The app also gives you access to PartyUP, which allows you to connect to some other Ultimate Ears speakers, but not all of them.

Ultimate Ears advertises a 20-hour battery life with the MegaBoom 3, which is on par with most portable speakers. The JBL Charge 5 offers the same. However, compared to something newer, the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 provides a whopping 27 hours of playback without its light show.

The Megaboom 3 can get decently loud enough for a medium-sized gathering. It provides a relatively consistent listening experience from any direction thanks to its omnidirectional design, but you’ll notice more treble if the speaker’s side faces you directly. Cranking up “What You Won’t Do For Love” by Bobby Caldwell, while I wouldn’t exactly label the low end as “thundering,” the wandering bass guitar line is full and present with a steady pulse. If Billie Eilish’s “bad guy” is more of your party starter, it’s worth diving into the 5-band EQ to get more boom out of the Megaboom 3.

Thanks to Hoffman’s Iron Law, you need to have reasonable sound expectations regarding portable Bluetooth speakers. The MegaBoom 3 won’t shatter any cabin windows, but thanks to the graphic EQ, it provides enough low-end power to keep the party vibes going.

What’s not so good about the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3?

Unfortunately, the Megaboom 3’s tall and narrow design makes it top-heavy. It needs a flat surface to stand upright — something that’s not always easy to find in the wilderness or around camp. I recommend finding a carabiner that fits the small loop attachment and leaving it there. Of course, I have to mention its micro-USB charge port, but hey, it was the style at the time. Luckily, the speaker comes with a lengthy cable, but this outdated feature might be the deal breaker for potential buyers despite its decent sound and build quality.

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 specs

Should you buy the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3?

Despite its outdated micro-USB charge port, the Megaboom 3 is still a great-sounding outdoor speaker all these years later. It’s incredibly durable, provides omnidirectional sound for social gatherings, and doesn’t take up too much room in your backpack. Keep an eye on the Ultimate Ears website; it often goes on sale.

However, the future is now, and you can find portable outdoor Bluetooth speakers offering something extra. With built-in LEDs on the passive radiators, the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 ($89.99 at Amazon) provides a customizable light show, not to mention a durable build and floatable design. It also features a built-in battery bank for charging your devices in the field and a modern USB-C charge port.

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 review: FAQs