Updated with a USB-C charging port and a 'Podcast' mode, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is a portable speaker that projects your audio out 360 degrees. Like the last generation, it retains the same shape and boasts an IP67 rating and impact resistance. With a utilitarian feature set that lacks an app or even a skip to previous track control, let's see if this tough little speaker delivers good sound and functionality.
Our Verdict
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is okay for music. Due to the speaker's 360-degree directivity, music sounds virtually the same no matter where you or the speaker is located in the space. That said, its small size can't reproduce the full thump and rumble of bass frequencies, and you're limited to only two EQ presets ('Outdoor' and 'Podcast'). It can't get that loud either, though there's not much compression, even at max volume. Still, its compact size and prominent playback buttons make it convenient for listening to music in the bedroom or kitchen. You can add a second WONDERBOOM 4 speaker to create a stereo pair.
- 13 hours of battery life.
- 360-degree directivity for easy placement.
- No custom EQ.
Can't get very loud.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is not bad for watching videos and movies. It won't astound you with immersive, low-rumbling audio during action scenes, but dialogue-heavy content sounds clear. Its 360-degree directivity means you can expect your content to sound as intended regardless of placement in the room, but at high volumes, the sound compresses somewhat, especially in the lower frequencies. You can also experience a bit of lip-sync mismatch, though latency is relatively low, and some apps and devices handle it differently.
- 13 hours of battery life.
- 360-degree directivity for easy placement.
- No custom EQ.
Can't get very loud.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is very good for listening to podcasts. Its easy playback controls and 360-degree directivity mean you can pop it down anywhere nearby to listen to your favorite podcast hosts, and they'll sound natural. Although the speaker isn't very bassy, most people's voices don't reach into low bass frequencies anyhow. Plus, you can use the 'Podcast' mode to try a different EQ preset to hear speech better.
- 13 hours of battery life.
- 360-degree directivity for easy placement.
- 'Podcast' mode EQ.
- No custom EQ.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 speaker has no built-in microphone, so you can't directly access your voice assistant through it.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is very good for outdoor use. Its compact size and rugged build mean you can take it with you to soundtrack your beach trip or as a companion on a hike. Its 360-degree audio projection means you don't need to worry about ideal placement, while the 13 hours of battery life mean the party won't be cut short. While it's not a very loud speaker at max volume, the 'Outdoor' mode can help adjust the sound profile to make it easier to hear.
- 13 hours of battery life.
- 360-degree directivity for easy placement.
- Portable size.
- 'Outdoors' mode EQ.
- No custom EQ.
Can't get very loud.
Changelog
- Updated Aug 28, 2026: This review has been updated to Test Bench 1.0.1. This includes the Test Bench 1.0 updates to all of our Sound tests: Frequency Response Accuracy, Raw Frequency Response, Directivity, and Loudness, as well as the revised Low-Frequency Extension calculation and related DRC updates introduced in Test Bench 1.0.1. There have also been text changes throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons, where applicable, to match these results. You can read more about these changes in our Test Bench 1.0 changelog and Test Bench 1.0.1 changelog.
- Updated Aug 11, 2026: This review has been updated to Test Bench 1.0, which includes new results for all of our Sound tests: Frequency Response Accuracy, Raw Frequency Response, Directivity, and Loudness. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons, to match these results. You can read more about these changes in our changelog.
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Updated Aug 26, 2025:
The Soundstage box was updated to mention the Bose SoundLink Plus.
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Updated Jun 12, 2025:
We updated the Controls and App section of this review to clarify that you can pair Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 and Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 models in stereo or Party modes.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is available in five colors. Our unit is 'Cobalt Blue' (here's its label), and the other colorways are 'Active Black,' 'Sand Beige,' 'Hyper Pink,' and 'Joyous Bright.' We expect these speakers to perform similarly.
If you come across a different variant, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update the review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is more like a subtle update than a completely new design compared to the previous Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3. It has an added 'Podcast' mode and updated the charging port to USB-C. The newer speaker sounds similar to its predecessor, with both speakers boasting incredible directivity. The WONDERBOOM 4 is a bit bigger than the JBL Clip 5, which is more portable with a sturdy integrated hook, but the Ultimate Ears speaker has a considerably longer battery life and sounds less compressed at high output levels. However, the JBL has a dedicated app with a graphic EQ for sound customization.
If you want to check out what else you can get, head over to the best Bluetooth speakers under $100, the best budget and cheap Bluetooth speakers, and the best portable Bluetooth speakers.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is a better portable speaker for most uses than the Ultimate Ears BOOM 4. While they're both available at similar price points, the WONDERBOOM 4 represents better value for most uses. It's more portable, has a more balanced default sound profile, and features Bluetooth multi-device pairing. Otherwise, the two speakers are similar in directivity, battery life, and build quality, though the BOOM 4 can get a bit louder.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 and JBL Flip 6 are both very portable speakers with different pros and cons, so the best one depends on your needs. The Ultimate Ears has a significantly longer battery life, better 360-degree directivity, lower latency for watching videos, and less compression. However, the JBL has app support with a custom EQ to adjust the sound and a bit more low-end extension.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM PLAY is essentially a pared-down version of the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4. It comes with an elongated hand strap, so it can be easily fastened to your hand while you skateboard or run. The iconic oversized volume buttons have also been moved to the top panel, so they're available at your fingertips. However, the WONDERBOOM PLAY is a single-speaker design, so it can't playback stereo content without downmixing to mono. While the two have similar frequency response and battery life, the WONDERBOOM 4 has lower latency. As a result, unless the handheld ergonomics or the slightly lower price are significant selling points for you, the WONDERBOOM 4 is a better choice for most uses.
The Bose SoundLink Flex and the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 are both portable speakers, each with distinct strengths. Because the Ultimate Ears has a 360-degree design, it has a much better soundstage performance: your audio sounds more or less the same from every angle. On the other hand, the Bose downmixes your audio to mono, and its drivers face forward. The Ultimate Ears also has a much lower Bluetooth latency than the Bose, so it's better suited to watching videos, but different apps and devices compensate for latency in different ways. On the other hand, only the Bose is compatible with your device's Google Assistant or Siri voice assistant, as the Ultimate Ears doesn't have a microphone. If battery life is a priority, the Ultimate Ears is your best bet, as it lasts six hours longer than the Bose.
Test Results
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