Ultimate Ears BOOM 4 Speaker Review

The Ultimate Ears BOOM 4 is a durable, easy-to-place portable speaker for people who value even coverage around a table more than deep bass. UE’s current product page claims 15 hours of playtime and an IP67 waterproof, floatable, drop-resistant design. Independent testing is less generous on endurance: WIRED got about 12 hours in its review, while RTINGS measured about 12 hours continuously. The other caveat is price. TweakTown listed a $129.99 US MSRP in September 2024 and WIRED reviewed it at $150; deal posts in the last 30 days show much lower but volatile prices. At a discount, the BOOM 4 is a good all-purpose outdoor speaker. At full price, a JBL Flip 6 or UE WONDERBOOM 4 can offer more value depending on whether bass or size matters more.

Is the BOOM 4 a tough, even-sounding speaker that is better on sale?

The BOOM 4’s appeal is the combination of a 360-degree pattern, simple physical controls, a useful app, and a body designed for wet and clumsy environments. Set it in the middle of a picnic table and people do not have to sit in front of one grille. That is a real advantage over many front-firing speakers.

Best for	Picnics, kitchens, patios, pool decks, and group listening around one speaker
Strongest feature	Consistent 360-degree coverage in a compact, IP67-rated cabinet
Main compromise	Limited low bass, no Bluetooth multi-device pairing, and modest generational upgrades
Buy when	The street price is clearly below the $129.99–$150 launch-era benchmark
Skip when	You want a bass-heavy party speaker, AUX input, or a major reason to replace a BOOM 3

Does the BOOM 4's 360-degree sound hold up, and how much bass does it have?

RTINGS’ BOOM 4 review found it suitable for music, with a clear midrange and a sound that stays consistent around the cylinder. Orientation matters less than it does with a conventional front-facing speaker. The same review says the speaker struggles to reproduce thumpy bass and that treble roll-off can make some sibilants sound muffled. Voices and everyday playlists work better than bass-first electronic tracks or cinematic effects.

WIRED’s Ryan Waniata heard a smooth, detailed presentation and praised the way the speaker spreads sound around a room or yard. He also found the lower bass less full than a JBL Flip. The Flip has more exposed low-end energy and a more aggressive upper-mid character; the BOOM 4 is gentler and more even, but less physically forceful.

TweakTown’s review likewise describes punchy bass, crisp highs, and a decent midrange while noting that the small cabinet cannot deliver the weight of a larger speaker. A single BOOM 4 also cannot create wide left/right stereo. UE’s PartyUp system can link compatible speakers, but a second unit is an additional purchase rather than a hidden capability of the first one.

The BOOM app gives you a multiband EQ and presets. That helps if the default balance is too light on bass or if speech needs more presence, but EQ cannot create the low-frequency headroom that the cabinet lacks. Use the 360-degree coverage and adjustable tone as the reason to choose it; do not buy it expecting the bass of a larger MEGABOOM or JBL Xtreme.

How durable is the BOOM 4 outdoors, and how long does its battery last?

UE’s current product page rates the BOOM 4 IP67, meaning the design keeps out dust and can handle temporary submersion. UE also describes it as floatable and drop-resistant. WIRED says the speaker is drop-tested to 1.5 meters and records its own reviewer’s real-world drops as anecdotes, not a guarantee that every fall will be harmless. Keep the charging port dry and remember that a water rating does not make the speaker indestructible.

The cylindrical body is about seven inches tall and weighs roughly 620 grams according to TweakTown. The large plus and minus buttons are easy to find without looking, while the top controls handle power, Bluetooth, and the Magic Button. It is compact enough for a bag but not as pocketable as a WONDERBOOM. That middle size is useful for a group, though it is worth checking whether the larger MEGABOOM is a better fit if you need more volume and bass.

UE’s rated battery is up to 15 hours, with actual life varying by volume and content. WIRED got about 12 hours and RTINGS reports a similar continuous result. Bluetooth standby is convenient because the app can wake the speaker, but WIRED and TweakTown both warn that standby drains the battery while the speaker is resting. Turn that feature off if the BOOM 4 spends most of the week in a drawer.

There was very little useful recent owner discussion about the exact BOOM 4: one relevant Reddit result was actually about the newer BOOM 3i, while most other hits were deal posts or off-topic Ultimate Ears products. A few recent X posts advertised prices around €85–€89 or $137.23, but those are promotions rather than a reliability or street-price consensus. Treat the social sample as thin and check the retailer’s model number, included cable, and return policy.

What app features, pairing and connections does the BOOM 4 have?

The BOOM 4 charges over USB-C. That is the clearest upgrade over the BOOM 3, which used micro-USB. TweakTown explicitly lists USB-C as charging only, so this is not a wired USB audio speaker and there is no 3.5 mm AUX input. If you need a physical line connection for a projector, DJ controller, or older player, choose a different model.

UE’s app supplies EQ presets, an alarm, playlist shortcuts, megaphone mode, and Bluetooth standby. PartyUp can link a large number of compatible Ultimate Ears speakers; UE says the system works with BOOM 4, MEGABOOM 4, EVERBOOM, EPICBOOM, HYPERBOOM, and previous BOOM speakers. The exact pairing experience depends on compatible firmware and the app, so do not assume that any UE-branded speaker will join the same stereo group.

RTINGS says the BOOM 4 does not support Bluetooth multi-device pairing. That means switching between two phones is less convenient than it is on some alternatives. The range is otherwise a strong point. WIRED reports up to 150 feet line of sight, while TweakTown gives a 40-plus-meter description; walls, interference, and phone placement will reduce either figure.

How much does the BOOM 4 cost, and what are the alternatives?

Price needs a date attached. TweakTown listed a $129.99 US MSRP when it reviewed the speaker on September 16, 2024, while WIRED used a $150 price in its October 18, 2024 review. The official UE page did not expose a stable US checkout price in the current page capture on September 12, 2026. Recent social deal posts show that clearance pricing can be much lower, but a short promotion should not be mistaken for the normal value.

The UE WONDERBOOM 4 review is the first comparison to read if you want a smaller speaker. RTINGS considers the WONDERBOOM 4 better value for most uses, with a more balanced default profile and Bluetooth multi-device pairing, while the BOOM 4 gets a little louder and offers app EQ. The MEGABOOM 4 review is the more logical step if low-end weight is the priority.

For a different sound balance, RTINGS says the Bose SoundLink Flex has more balanced reproduction, better controls, and a built-in mic, while the BOOM 4 has stronger outdoor directivity and longer battery life. The portable speakers under $200 guide is useful when the BOOM 4’s older MSRP makes it compete with newer models. JBL’s Flip 6 remains the direct alternative if you prefer more present bass and treble over even coverage. For Klipsch picks, see the waterproof Klipsch The Detroit or the Klipsch The Three Plus, which takes a turntable.

Who Should Buy the BOOM 4?

Buy the BOOM 4 when a group will gather around the speaker, the cabinet may get wet or knocked over, and clear coverage is more important than maximum bass. It is particularly well suited to a patio, kitchen, workshop, picnic blanket, or poolside table. The physical volume controls, app EQ, and durable fabric make it easy for a household to use without treating it like fragile hi-fi equipment.

Choose another speaker when the BOOM 3’s micro-USB port does not bother you, when deep bass is central to your music, or when two people need to stay connected at once. The BOOM 4 is a refinement, not a dramatic redesign. Its purchase case gets much stronger at a sale price; at $150, compare the WONDERBOOM 4, JBL Flip 6, and larger alternatives first.

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