Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review

Ultimate Ears has been upgrading its line of popular, rugged Bluetooth speakers that feature an omnidirectional design or “360-degree sound”. This includes the smallest of the bunch, the new UE Wonderboom 4. Boasting a “notoriously bigger sound that’s extra-crispy and loaded with big bass,” I couldn’t help but wonder if I have been missing out on an “extra-crispy ” sound this whole time. I had to find out, so let’s dive into this UE Wonderboom 4 review and see what other tasty offerings this portable Bluetooth speaker can bring to the table.

Editor’s note: this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4?

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 looks identical to its predecessor. This ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker is wrapped in durable fabric with a rubberized top and bottom, complete with UE’s signature large Volume + and Volume – buttons on the front. The top of the unit features your power, Bluetooth, and multifunction button, and the bottom contains a recessed “Outdoor boost button” with a tree silhouette. Our test model sports a new pink finish but is also available in Grey, Blue, or Black.

This Wonderboom 4 retains an IP67 protection rating and is still dust, drop, and water-proof. It will also float on water, so it’s ready for your next pool party, no matter how rowdy your friends get. Thanks to an elasticized loop on the top of the Wonderboom 4, with the help of a carabiner (sold separately), you could clip this speaker to your backpack for a hike without it weighing you down. Overall, it’s easily packed for a weekend getaway. Alternatively, I enjoy using it as a simple desktop speaker while working from home.

Besides a new USB-C charging port, the Wonderboom 4 has no hardware upgrades from the 3. It still features dual drivers of the same size and passive radiators in an omnidirectional design. We do see the addition of a Podcast EQ setting, but that’s not much of a selling point.

Should you use the app for the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4?

Unfortunately, the UE Boom app still doesn’t support the Wonderboom 4, which is disappointing. Considering other ultra-portable speakers like the JBL Clip 5 now have app support with several EQ options, including a customizable graphic EQ, it would be nice to be able to personalize the sound of your Wonderboom 4.

How does the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 connect?

The Wonderboom 4 connects to your device via the slightly outdated Bluetooth 5.2 and states a 131-foot connection range. It is SBC only; there is no codec support for higher bit rate listening options, but this is par for the course regarding Bluetooth speakers that can fit into the palm of your hand.

However, it does support multipoint connection if you and a friend want to take turns playing DJ. Like its predecessor, you can also pair a second Wonderboom 4 for true stereo playback. If you get the opportunity to do this, I highly recommend it! It makes a massive difference in room-filling power and lets you hear more of the production details from your favorite tracks.

How long does the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4’s battery last?

Ultimate Ears advertises 14 hours of playback off a single charge, which is decent for a smaller portable speaker. Of course, your mileage will vary depending on your usage. For comparison, the JBL Clip 5, which is of similar size, states a 12-hour playback time.

How does the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 sound?

It’s important to have reasonable sound expectations for compact Bluetooth speakers. The Wonderboom 4’s first job is to be portable. Because of its small enclosure, you won’t be rattling any windows with your favorite EDM track, regardless of the word Boom in the model name. Keep in mind that it’s a palm-sized speaker with 8.5W of output.

As mentioned, there were no audio hardware upgrades to the Wonderboom 4. It still features two drivers and two passive radiators in an omnidirectional design for “360-degree sound.” At quieter volumes at home, around 25% on my phone, listening to “Shadows” by The Midnight, I find the Wonderboom 4 sounds perfectly acceptable. A solid pulse from the kick drum, decent separation of the layers of synths, and all the ripping saxophone solos cut through the mix with ease.

After 60% volume on my phone, the DSP kicks in to reduce the bass frequencies to prevent the unit from distorting, and its sound quality starts to take a hit. Both the snare drum sound and the vocals become harsh in the upper mids, and increasing treble frequencies affect the hi-hats. Still, there is plenty of usable volume up until that point for personal use or for having a few people over for beers on the back deck.

Like the Wonderboom 3, the Wonderboom 4 also features an “Outdoor boost mode”. It intends for listeners to hear “louder and more powerful audio,” which is somewhat effective but not really pleasant-sounding. The bass frequencies are cut, and they add a significant boost to the upper mids. Listening to “Who Made Who” by AC/DC, with Outdoor Boost engaged is pure guitar and vocals. So yes, it will help project your tunes if a few more people show up to your campsite, but it doesn’t sound great.

Can you use the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 for phone calls?

No. The Wonderboom 4 does not feature a microphone for fielding phone calls.

Should you buy the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4?

For less than $100, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is a safe buy. It’s durable enough for any outdoor adventures or poolside hangs; it’s small enough to clip onto a backpack or use as a personal desktop speaker, and thanks to its omnidirectional design, it has what it takes to keep the good times rolling when it’s just you and a few friends.

What should you get instead of the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4?

For a few dollars less, consider the JBL Clip 5. ($79.95 at Amazon) This recently refreshed speaker is also IP67-rated. Its built-in carabiner is also the perfect size for on-the-go use. Now supported by the JBL Portable app, the Clip 5 offers several EQ options to personalize your sound, including a customizable 5-band EQ. However, it’s worth noting that the Clip 5 is a mono, single-direction firing speaker, unlike the Wonderboom 4 and its omnidirectional, stereo design. That said, you can still pair a second Clip 5 for stereo performance.

If you need something larger and with more output for your next gathering, I recommend you check out the Anker Soundcore Motion 300. This durable speaker offers a unique feature, not to mention a thorough companion app. You can learn more about the Motion 300 in our video below:

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