The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is the small speaker to buy if you want something you can clip to a bag, drop in a pool and stop worrying about. Skip it if you need real volume for a crowd or want to tune the sound: RTINGS lists "can't get very loud" as a con, and there is no app or custom EQ, only two preset modes.
Ultimate Ears rates the Wonderboom 4 for 14 hours of playback, IP67 dust and water protection, 5-foot drops and 40 meters of Bluetooth range, and it floats. Next to the Wonderboom 3, the changes are small: USB-C charging replaces micro-USB, and a Podcast mode joins the existing Outdoor Boost.
ArmorSound has not tested the Wonderboom 4. This review combines Ultimate Ears' own specifications with RTINGS' lab-based review and TechRadar's month-long review.
A tough, floating mini speaker that trades volume for simplicity
Buy the Wonderboom 4 for its IP67 build, 360-degree sound and 13 measured hours of battery. Skip it if you need party volume, an EQ app or speakerphone calls.
- Pools, showers and beach days
- Hikes and travel
- Small groups sitting around the speaker
- You need loud sound for a big backyard
- You want an app, custom EQ or calls
- You already own a Wonderboom 3
Where to buy
Our verdictUltimate Ears Wonderboom 4
Best for: Pools, hikes and small group hangs
- Battery
- 14 hr rated, 13 hr in RTINGS testing
- Water and dust
- IP67, floats
- Weight
- 420 g (0.93 lb)
- Max level
- 86 dBC, 87 dBC Outdoor Boost
- Charging
- USB-C (cable not included)
- 360-degree sound makes placement easy
- IP67, floats and survives 5-foot drops
- 13 hours of battery in RTINGS testing
- Stereo pairs with a Wonderboom 3 or 4
- No app or custom EQ
- Limited volume and bass, with harshness near max
- No microphone or aux input
Watch for: Ultimate Ears' US spec sheet lists no USB-C cable in the box, so pack one before a trip.
Check price on Amazon →What are the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 key specs?
| Spec | Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 (manufacturer figures unless noted) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | Two 40 mm active drivers, two 46.1 x 65.2 mm passive radiators |
| Maximum sound level | 86 dBC standard, 87 dBC with Outdoor Boost |
| Battery | Up to 14 hours (RTINGS measured 13) |
| Charging | USB-C; Ultimate Ears lists the cable as not included |
| Water and dust | IP67, floats |
| Drop rating | Tested from 5 feet (1.5 m) |
| Bluetooth | Version 5.2 (per TechRadar), 40 m range, two source devices at once, Google Fast Pair on Android |
| Size and weight | 104 mm tall, 95.3 mm wide, 420 g (about 0.93 lb) |
| Stereo | Double Up with one other Wonderboom 3 or 4 |
| Not included | App support, microphone, 3.5 mm aux input |
How does the Wonderboom 4 sound in measurements and reviews?
The Wonderboom 4's party trick is spread. RTINGS' Wonderboom 4 review credits its 360-degree directivity for easy placement: put it in the middle of a picnic table and people on every side hear roughly the same mix.
Bass is where the size shows. RTINGS lists "can't get very loud" among the cons, and a RTINGS staff reply in the review's comments explains that the Wonderboom rolls off much of the bass range, so it won't sound as full as larger speakers with bigger drivers.
TechRadar's reviewer heard it more kindly, calling the bass surprisingly punchy for the size and praising clarity and separation at reasonable volumes. The same review notes a loss of detail and harsh treble once you push past sensible levels, and suggests a corner or wall placement for a fuller sound in a small or medium room.
TechRadar also says the Wonderboom 4 sounds identical to the Wonderboom 3, because it uses the same drivers and passive radiators. If you already own a Wonderboom 3, this is not a sound upgrade.
Outdoor Boost and Podcast mode
A button on the base cycles between standard, Outdoor Boost and Podcast modes. Ultimate Ears rates Outdoor Boost 1 dB louder (87 dBC against 86 dBC). TechRadar found it cuts bass and lifts treble so music carries outside, with an obvious drop in quality, so leave it off indoors.
Podcast mode is new. TechRadar's reviewer heard speech carry more clearly thanks to a focus on the upper midrange, but called the difference subtle. These two presets are the only sound adjustments you get.
How tough and water resistant is the Wonderboom 4?
This is the Wonderboom's strongest argument. Ultimate Ears rates it IP67, which means dust-tight and able to survive submersion, and says it floats and survives drops from 5 feet. TechRadar describes rubberized bumpers top and bottom, a fabric wrap and a bungee loop you can clip to a backpack.
IP67 covers fresh water at modest depths for a limited time. Our explainer on what IP67 and other IP ratings mean covers the limits. If saltwater is a regular part of your plans, the Soundcore Boom 3i is built specifically for it.
Ultimate Ears says plastic parts contain at least 31% certified post-consumer recycled plastic by weight, excluding packaging.
How long does the Wonderboom 4 battery last, and how does it charge?
Ultimate Ears rates the battery at up to 14 hours. RTINGS measured 13 hours, which it lists as a pro. TechRadar's reviewer says they routinely beat the 14-hour rating in daily use, though that was not a timed test.
The move to USB-C is the most practical change from the Wonderboom 3. One catch: Ultimate Ears' US spec sheet lists the speaker, the attached bungee and a printed guide in the box, and describes charging via a USB-C cable "not included". Pack your phone's cable.
How do the Wonderboom 4 controls, pairing and connectivity work?
Two oversized volume buttons sit on the side. On top are unmarked power and pairing buttons plus a central multi-function button for playback and stereo linking; TechRadar notes the unmarked buttons take a little learning. RTINGS points out there is no skip-to-previous-track control.
There is no app. Ultimate Ears' larger BOOM speakers work with the BOOM app, but the Wonderboom 4 does not, which TechRadar confirms. That means no custom EQ, no firmware tweaks and no party mode beyond two speakers.
Pairing is flexible for a speaker this simple. Ultimate Ears says it can connect to two source devices at the same time, supports Google Fast Pair on Android, and reaches 40 meters of range. TechRadar lists Bluetooth 5.2 with no high-resolution codecs.
Double Up links two speakers: press once to play the same audio on both, press again for left and right stereo. TechRadar confirms it works with a Wonderboom 3 or 4, while Ultimate Ears says it won't connect with the Wonderboom 1 or 2, BOOM, MEGABOOM or HYPERBOOM.
For video, RTINGS' comparisons say the Wonderboom 4 has lower Bluetooth latency than the Bose SoundLink Flex and JBL Flip 6. It has no microphone, so it cannot take calls or reach your phone's voice assistant.
Wonderboom 4 vs Wonderboom 3: is the upgrade worth it?
Only if you value USB-C. TechRadar and RTINGS both describe the Wonderboom 4 as a subtle update: same shape, same sound, plus USB-C and Podcast mode. TechRadar's advice is that a discounted Wonderboom 3 is better value while stock lasts if micro-USB doesn't bother you.
If you're weighing older generations too, our Wonderboom 2 vs Wonderboom 3 comparison covers what changed before this model.
What do Wonderboom 4 owners report?
Spec sheets and lab reviews only go so far. Here is what owners say after living with it, drawn from Reddit discussions collected by RedditRecs.
- Easy to live with on the road. A traveler says the Wonderboom 4 deserves more love: it does not compete with bigger speakers on sound, but the battery life, IP67 rating and size make it ridiculously easy to live with. (r/Bluetooth_Speakers)
- Clear mids and highs. A new owner was surprised by how clear the mids and highs are, even next to more expensive Bose speakers they own, and accepts that it lacks bass. (r/Bluetooth_Speakers)
- Balanced across generations. An owner of both the Wonderboom 2 and 4 describes the sound as balanced and nice. (r/Bluetooth_Speakers)
- Thin next to a Flip 7. A traveler who tried the Wonderboom 4 first switched to the JBL Flip 7, saying the UE sounded like a bigger phone with little separation between highs and lows. (r/JBL)
- No app EQ. Another buyer returned theirs because it sounded flat and has no app configuration. (r/Bluetooth_Speakers)
Owners who value toughness, battery and size love it. Listeners who want bass or EQ control tend to step up to a Flip-class speaker.
Who should buy the Wonderboom 4, and who should skip it?
Buy the Wonderboom 4 if:
- You want a speaker for pools, showers, beaches or hikes that floats and survives drops.
- You put the speaker in the middle of a group and want everyone to hear the same thing.
- You prefer physical buttons and no app to manage.
- You want a full day of battery in a sub-1-pound package.
Skip it if:
- You need volume for a backyard party. A larger speaker such as the Tribit XSound Plus 2 is the better tool for that.
- You want to adjust EQ, take calls or plug in an aux cable.
- You already own a Wonderboom 3 and don't care about USB-C.
What are the alternatives to the Wonderboom 4?
| Spec (manufacturer figures) | UE Wonderboom 4 | JBL Clip 5 | Skullcandy Session 540 | Tribit XSound Plus 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rated battery | 14 hr | 12 hr, 15 hr with Playtime Boost | 17 hr, 40 hr in Battery Saver mode | 24 hr at 60% volume, XBass off |
| Water and dust | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 | IPX7 (no dust rating) |
| Weight | 420 g | 285 g | 320 g | 1.31 lb (about 595 g) |
| App and EQ | None; two preset modes | JBL app | Skullcandy app, 5-band EQ | Tribit app, 9-band EQ |
| Multi-speaker | Double Up, two speakers | Auracast | Auracast Party Mode, stereo pair | Stereo or Party Mode, two speakers |
| Floats | Yes | Not claimed | Not claimed | Not claimed |
JBL Clip 5. RTINGS' Wonderboom 4 review calls the Clip 5 more portable thanks to its integrated hook, and says the Wonderboom lasts considerably longer and compresses less at high volume. The JBL wins on its app and graphic EQ. JBL lists 12 hours, or 15 with Playtime Boost, on its Clip 5 spec sheet, and our JBL Clip 5 review has the details.
Skullcandy Session 540. Skullcandy's newer compact speaker lists 17 hours, IP67, a magnetic mount, multipoint pairing, a 5-band EQ in its app and Auracast party linking. It is rated at 8 W average output, and we haven't found independent measurements yet, so treat it as a promising spec sheet rather than a proven pick.
Tribit XSound Plus 2. A bigger, forward-firing speaker with two 15 W drivers, a 24-hour rating at 60% volume, an aux input and a 9-band EQ. It lacks dust protection. Read our Tribit XSound Plus 2 review if you want more volume and don't need a speaker that floats.
Wonderboom Play. RTINGS' Wonderboom 4 vs Wonderboom Play comparison calls it a pared-down Wonderboom 4 with a hand strap and top-mounted volume buttons. It uses a single speaker, so stereo content is downmixed to mono, and the Wonderboom 4 has lower latency. RTINGS recommends the Wonderboom 4 for most people; our Wonderboom Play review covers it in full.
Bigger budget boomboxes such as the Skullcandy Barrel Mini and the Monster Shock Plus add LED lights or an aux jack, but both are hard to find now and neither has independent test data.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Wonderboom 4 waterproof, and does it float?
Yes. Ultimate Ears rates it IP67, which means it is dust-tight and can survive temporary submersion in fresh water, and says it floats. It is also drop-tested from 5 feet. IP67 is not a promise for long dunks or saltwater soaks, so rinse it with fresh water after the beach and let it dry before charging.
Does the Wonderboom 4 work with the BOOM app?
No. Ultimate Ears' BOOM app supports its larger speakers, but TechRadar confirms the Wonderboom 4 is not compatible, and RTINGS staff say Ultimate Ears states the same. Your only sound controls are the standard, Outdoor Boost and Podcast modes, switched with the button on the base.
Can I pair a Wonderboom 4 with a Wonderboom 3?
Yes. TechRadar says Double Up works with another Wonderboom 3 or 4, either playing the same audio on both or splitting into left and right stereo. Ultimate Ears says it will not connect with the Wonderboom 1 or 2, BOOM, MEGABOOM or HYPERBOOM, and Double Up is limited to two speakers.
How long does the Wonderboom 4 battery last?
Ultimate Ears rates it at up to 14 hours, and RTINGS measured 13 hours in its battery test. Higher volume and Outdoor Boost will shorten that. It charges over USB-C, but Ultimate Ears' US spec sheet says the cable is not included, so plan to use one you already own.
Can you take calls on the Wonderboom 4?
No. The Wonderboom 4 has no microphone, so it cannot act as a speakerphone or trigger Siri or Google Assistant. TechRadar and RTINGS both note this. If calls matter, pick a speaker that supports hands-free calling; Tribit, for example, lists the Bluetooth hands-free profiles for the XSound Plus 2.
Sources
- Ultimate Ears: Wonderboom 4 product page and specifications
- RTINGS: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review (verdict, pros and cons, comparisons)
- RTINGS: Wonderboom 4 vs Wonderboom Play comparison
- TechRadar: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review
- JBL: Clip 5 product page and specifications
- Skullcandy: Session 540 product page and specifications
- Tribit: XSound Plus 2 product page and specifications
What do the Wonderboom 4 specs mean for everyday use?
Ultimate Ears publishes the core specs. RTINGS measured the battery in its lab-based review.
- Ultimate Ears rates the battery at up to 14 hours, enough for a full day out. (ultimateears.com)
- RTINGS measured 13 hours, so real playback lands close to the rating. (rtings.com)
- At 420 g, about 0.93 lb, it stays in a sub-1-pound package for bags and hikes. (ultimateears.com)
- Its 40 meters of Bluetooth range gives you room to move away from your phone. (ultimateears.com)
- A maximum sound level of 86 dBC suits small groups more than backyard parties. (ultimateears.com)
