Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM Wireless Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Bluetooth speakers all promise bass, waterproofing, and battery life, and plenty of them overpromise. The Ultimate Ears EpicBoom speaker suits people who want to turn the volume up. It is not a background-music gadget.

If tinny speakers that collapse under bass drops or devices that die before the party even gets started have ever let you down, the EpicBoom may be the fix. It has 360-degree audio, adaptive EQ, and an outdoor boost button for extra projection.

Ultimate Ears has built its reputation on durable speakers for real-world abuse, and the EpicBoom is no exception. It floats and is dustproof, shockproof, and waterproof, so it suits beach, mountain, and backyard use.

Battery life is up to seventeen hours of continuous play. The BOOM app lets you fine-tune the sound, pair with other Ultimate Ears speakers, and choose from EQ presets like Gaming Mode and Deep Relaxation Mode.

So is the Ultimate Ears EpicBoom speaker worth it? This review covers setup, design, sound, features, battery and connectivity, and three rivals.

How easy is the EpicBoom to set up and use?

The packaging for the Ultimate Ears EpicBoom speaker is clean. Inside, you get the speaker itself, a USB-C charging cable, and a quick start guide that avoids tech jargon. Setup is easy.

Once you power it on, the speaker plays a chime. Pairing via Bluetooth takes about fifteen seconds, and it connects to your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Once you pair it, it stays paired, even when switching between devices.

The BOOM app unlocks much of what this speaker can do. You can choose from EQ presets: Deep Relaxation Mode softens the sound for quiet moments, and Podcast Mode sharpens vocals. You can also customize your own EQ curve, and bass fans can push the low end hard.

The app also gives access to PartyUp mode. You can pair the EpicBoom with other Ultimate Ears devices like the Boom, Megaboom, or Hyperboom with a few taps. Syncing is smooth, with no noticeable audio lag.

Setup and the app are user-friendly for both casual listeners and hands-on sound tweakers.

How tough is the EpicBoom's design and build quality?

The Ultimate Ears EpicBoom speaker is bold and beefy, and built to survive things your smartphone cannot. It is not a delicate designer speaker.

At 9.5 inches tall and weighing just under two kilograms, the EpicBoom is big but not a backbreaker. The soft-touch fabric exterior feels rugged. You can toss it into a beach bag or a muddy campsite, and if it gets dirty, a quick rinse or wipe down does the job. The IP67 rating means it is waterproof and dustproof, so pools, dust, and rain are fine.

The control layout is intuitive. You get physical buttons for power, Bluetooth pairing, volume, and the signature “Magic Button” that handles play, pause, and skip functions. They are chunky enough to press even with wet or dirty hands which is what you want in a speaker made for the outdoors. There are no tiny flush buttons.

The built-in carry strap is a small detail but a useful one, whether you are hauling it across a festival ground or clipping it to a backpack.

The EpicBoom looks good enough for the living room but clearly suits the outdoors. There is no awkward plastic shine or weak seams.

How does the EpicBoom sound?

The Ultimate Ears EpicBoom speaker is loud, with rich bass, full mids, and crisp highs in a 360-degree soundstage that fills a room, a patio, or an open field. It reaches 94 decibels, so your neighbors may notice.

The EpicBoom adapts to where you use it. Adaptive EQ tunes the output automatically based on its environment. Indoors, it tones down the echo and balances the bass. Outdoors, hit Outdoor Boost and it carries through open air with clean, powerful sound.

The 4.72-inch woofer delivers tight, deep, controlled bass. On hip hop, house, metal, or movie scores, you feel it in your chest without losing the rest of the mix. The mids and highs hold up too, so vocals stay clear.

The EpicBoom also supports stereo pairing if you grab a second unit. But one is often enough. It projects sound well enough that doubling up feels like overkill in most spaces.

If speakers that looked great but sounded like cardboard have burned you, the EpicBoom shows that portable does not have to mean compromised, and loud does not have to mean sloppy.

What features does the EpicBoom have?

The Ultimate Ears EpicBoom speaker has more features than the typical Bluetooth speaker with volume buttons and a power switch.

Start with the customizable EQ. For deep bass on a workout, crisp mids for audiobooks, or a calmer sound late at night, the EQ controls in the BOOM app let you shape it. If that sounds like too much effort, presets like Deep Relaxation Mode and Podcast Mode are a tap away.

PartyUp lets you wirelessly link the EpicBoom to other Ultimate Ears speakers like the Boom, Megaboom, or Hyperboom with a few taps. You get surround-style sound that can cover a whole house and yard without a cable.

The EpicBoom is also IP67 rated which means it is waterproof and dustproof. It handles full submersion in a meter of water for up to thirty minutes, and it floats. You can rinse off spills and take it to the beach without worrying about sand.

There is also the Outdoor Boost button. Hit it and the sound shifts into a more aggressive outdoor-friendly EQ that cuts through ambient noise and open air.

How long does the EpicBoom battery last and how far does Bluetooth reach?

The Ultimate Ears EpicBoom speaker has battery life of up to 17 hours on a single charge, enough for an all-day beach party or a marathon gaming session.

In real-world usage, the EpicBoom reaches that 17-hour mark depending on your volume and EQ settings. It holds up better than most competitors even with Outdoor Boost on or during multi-device pairing. It charges over USB-C, so there is no proprietary cable.

The EpicBoom connects to your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV over Bluetooth in seconds. The 55-meter Bluetooth range is generous, so you can leave your phone in the house while the speaker plays outside, or walk around your yard without dropouts.

Device switching is easy too. You can go from playing music on your phone to your laptop without unpairing. The BOOM app also lets you control everything from volume to EQ remotely, so you do not need to walk over to the speaker every time someone requests a song.

How does the EpicBoom compare with its rivals?

To judge the value of the Ultimate Ears EpicBoom speaker, here is how it compares with three popular rivals.

Ultimate Ears EpicBoom vs JBL Xtreme 3

The JBL Xtreme 3 is a familiar name. It brings a strong brand legacy and a punchy bass-forward sound. But it also comes with some limitations. The EpicBoom holds the advantage in 360-degree audio and app integration. JBL’s offering leans more boombox while EpicBoom sounds more balanced. JBL does win in terms of available color options and strap-friendly portability. However, if you crave adaptive EQ and true outdoor power with IP67 durability and customizable sound profiles, EpicBoom takes the win.

Ultimate Ears EpicBoom vs Sonos Roam 2

The Sonos Roam 2 is the newer upgrade that blends portability, smarts, and good audio in a travel-ready shell. It builds on the original with better pairing, snappier response, and smoother transitions between WiFi and Bluetooth. But the EpicBoom is still the louder, tougher party speaker. If you want smart home integration and quiet background music, the Roam 2 fits that role. If you are heading outdoors and want to feel the bass in your chest, the EpicBoom is the better pick.

Ultimate Ears EpicBoom vs Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus II

The SoundLink Revolve Plus II is sleek, compact, and offers excellent clarity with a rich audio signature. But it leans toward indoor use. While it is durable, it is not designed for the same rugged abuse EpicBoom invites. The EpicBoom brings better volume, tougher build, and more interactive EQ customization. Bose wins on polish and subtlety. EpicBoom wins on raw power and real-world durability. Other speakers to compare are the Marshall Acton III and the portable Marshall Kilburn II.

Is the EpicBoom worth buying?

The Ultimate Ears EpicBoom speaker is a speaker for people who like their music loud and their gear tough.

The EpicBoom is rugged and powerful, and it adapts to your environment. The 360-degree sound is punchy without being messy. The bass hits without turning bloated, and the mids and highs do not get drowned out. Indoors or outdoors, it sounds consistent.

Seventeen hours of playtime is what a portable speaker should offer. Add fast USB-C charging and a long Bluetooth range and it keeps playing even when your phone is halfway across the house.

The BOOM app is useful, from customizable EQ to easy PartyUp pairing with other Ultimate Ears models. The Magic Button and Outdoor Boost are handy touches too.

Is it perfect? No. If you are deep into the smart home ecosystem or need WiFi and voice assistant features, this is not the one. And if you are looking for a featherweight speaker to toss in your purse or pocket, the EpicBoom might be too much muscle for the mission.

But if you want a speaker that sounds big and takes a beating, the Ultimate Ears EpicBoom speaker is a strong pick.

You can buy the Ultimate Ears EpicBoom wireless portable speaker here on Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are common questions people ask before buying the Ultimate Ears EpicBoom speaker.

Is the Ultimate Ears EpicBoom speaker really waterproof?
Yes. The EpicBoom carries an IP67 rating, which means it is not just water resistant but fully waterproof and dustproof. You can submerge it in up to one meter of water for thirty minutes. It even floats, which helps at pool parties.

How long does the UE EpicBoom speaker battery last?
Up to 17 hours on a full charge. That is with average volume and typical usage. Crank it to max and you will shave a few hours off but even then it outlasts most speakers in its class. The USB-C port gets you charged up fast and ready for another round.

Can I connect the EpicBoom speaker with other Ultimate Ears speakers?
Absolutely. Through the BOOM app you can use the PartyUp feature to wirelessly link your EpicBoom with other Ultimate Ears models like BOOM, MEGABOOM, and HYPERBOOM. The speakers play in sync.

Is there an app to control the UE EpicBoom speaker?
Yes. The BOOM app handles the controls. You can customize EQ settings, activate preset modes like Gaming or Deep Relaxation, and pair multiple speakers. You can even use the app to control playback and volume if the speaker is out of reach.

How loud is the EpicBoom speaker?
Very loud. It hits 94 decibels which is about as loud as a gas lawn mower at full throttle. The EpicBoom delivers clean sound with deep bass and crisp highs, and it fills big spaces.

Can I use the Ultimate Ears EpicBoom for indoor and outdoor use?
Yes. It suits both. Indoors it adapts with smart EQ settings to prevent echo and muddiness. Outdoors you can activate Outdoor Boost for even more projection and clarity. It handles both settings.

Does the EpicBoom speaker support voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant?
No. This speaker is all about sound performance and rugged design. It does not include smart assistant integration or WiFi connectivity. If you need voice commands, look at more smart home focused options.

How far is the Bluetooth range of the UE EpicBoom speaker?
Up to 55 meters in ideal conditions. That is nearly double what most standard Bluetooth speakers offer. You can leave your phone in one room and the EpicBoom will keep streaming without skipping a beat.

Is the EpicBoom speaker compatible with iPhone and Android devices?
Yes. It plays well with both. Bluetooth pairing is smooth and stable on iOS and Android. The BOOM app is also available for both platforms so you will not miss out on features.

What is the warranty on the Ultimate Ears EpicBoom speaker?
The EpicBoom comes with a 2-year limited hardware warranty from Ultimate Ears. And if you buy from Amazon their 30-day return policy also covers you for added peace of mind.