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Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play Waterproof Speaker Review

Islam Khan

March 3, 2025

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The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker stands out in the crowded portable speaker market due to its impressive combination of powerful sound, rugged durability, and eco-friendly design. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hiking through the mountains, or just relaxing at home, this speaker is designed to enhance your listening experience. In this review, we will dive deep into its features, specifications, design, and more to help you decide if this is the right speaker for you.

Quick Specs of the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play

• Sound: 360-degree stereo sound
• Bluetooth Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 with 131 feet (40 meters) wireless range
• Waterproof Rating: IP67 (dustproof and waterproof)
• Battery Life: 10 hours of continuous play
• Weight: 0.52 pounds (approximately 235 grams)
• Charging Port: USB-C
• Materials: 68% post-consumer recycled plastic
• Colors: Multiple color options
• Additional Features: Double Up feature for pairing two speakers for stereo sound

See Full Specifications

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play Release Date

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play was released in 2023 as an upgraded version of the popular WONDERBOOM 2. With enhanced sound, durability, and eco-friendly materials, the WONDERBOOM Play continues to provide excellent value in the Bluetooth speaker market.

Unboxing the WONDERBOOM Play

When you unbox the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play, you’ll find:

• The speaker itself
• Along with a simple user manual
• A USB-C cabl

The speaker’s minimalistic packaging reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability and reducing environmental waste.

Design, Display, and Controls

• Durability in a Compact Package

The design of the WONDERBOOM Play is built with rugged durability in mind. Featuring an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, this portable speaker can handle splashes, spills, and dust without missing a beat. Not only is it designed to be tough, but it is also compact, weighing just 0.52 pounds. This makes it highly portable, with a built-in hand loop for easy carrying on hikes or outdoor adventures. You can even take it into the water since it is fully waterproof and floats!

• User-Friendly Controls

The WONDERBOOM Play features an easy-to-use control system on the top of the speaker. You can control playback, adjust volume, and pair it with other Bluetooth devices directly through the simple button layout. It’s all about ease of use, so you can focus on enjoying your music without fumbling with complicated settings.

Differences Between Sizes and Variants

The WONDERBOOM Play fits snugly in the Ultimate Ears lineup. While the WONDERBOOM 3 and MEGABOOM offer larger sound profiles, the WONDERBOOM Play is the perfect choice for those who want portability without compromising on audio quality. It’s designed for individuals who need a speaker that’s compact, yet capable of filling a space with rich, bold sound. Its smaller size makes it ideal for those who frequently travel or need a speaker that won’t take up too much space.

Available Colors

The WONDERBOOM Play is available in a variety of vibrant colors, including:

• Night Black
• Concrete Grey
• Deep Red
• Azure Blue
• Crush Pink

These color options ensure that you can find one that suits your style while adding a touch of fun to your outdoor adventures.

Key Features of the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play

1. Waterproof and Dustproof

The standout feature of the WONDERBOOM Play is its IP67 rating, which guarantees that it is dustproof and waterproof. Whether you’re taking it to the beach, a pool party, or on a hiking trip, you can count on this speaker to withstand the elements. It can even float on water, making it the perfect companion for outdoor adventures.

2. Big Sound in a Small Package

Despite its compact size, the WONDERBOOM Play delivers impressive 360-degree stereo sound. Its bass is deep and booming, while the highs remain clear and undistorted even at higher volumes. Whether indoors or outdoors, the speaker fills the space with rich, detailed audio. It’s one of the best small speakers available for those seeking high-quality sound without the bulk of larger options.

3. Eco-Friendly Materials

Ultimate Ears has made significant strides toward sustainability with the WONDERBOOM Play. The speaker is made with 68% post-consumer recycled plastic, reducing the environmental impact of its production. This eco-friendly design ensures that you’re not only getting a high-quality product but also supporting a brand that’s committed to reducing its carbon footprint.

4. Long Battery Life

The WONDERBOOM Play offers an impressive 10 hours of continuous playback, so you can enjoy your music all day without worrying about recharging. Whether you’re out on a hike or hosting a party, the long battery life ensures that you won’t be left without music when you need it most.

5. Double Up for Stereo Sound

One of the most exciting features of the WONDERBOOM Play is its “Double Up” feature. This allows you to pair two WONDERBOOM Play speakers together for true stereo sound. By pressing the button once, you can link two speakers, and pressing it again activates stereo sound. This is an excellent feature for larger gatherings or when you want to create a more immersive sound experience.

Price and Availability

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play is available for around $79.99, making it an affordable choice for those seeking a high-quality, durable, and portable Bluetooth speaker. It can be found on various online platforms, including the official Ultimate Ears website, Amazon, and other retailers.

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play Comparison

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play has earned a solid reputation as a rugged, high-performance portable Bluetooth speaker. However, with the variety of options available in the market, it’s important to compare the WONDERBOOM Play against some of its closest competitors. In this section, we’ll take a deep dive into how the WONDERBOOM Play compares with other popular speakers in terms of sound quality, durability, battery life, portability, and price.

Let’s look at some of the most notable competitors: Bose SoundLink Micro, JBL Flip 5, and Sonos Roam.

• Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play vs Bose SoundLink Micro

1. Sound Quality

• WONDERBOOM Play: The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play is known for its 360-degree stereo sound, which creates a more immersive listening experience. It has a powerful bass response that fills a room despite its small size. The sound is rich and clear, even at higher volumes.
• Bose SoundLink Micro: The Bose SoundLink Micro is compact and produces surprisingly good sound for its size. It also has Bose’s signature clear mids and highs, but it lacks the deep bass of the WONDERBOOM Play. The micro offers a more balanced sound, but the WONDERBOOM Play delivers more punch and volume, making it a better option for larger spaces or outdoor use.

2. Durability and Waterproof Rating

• WONDERBOOM Play: Rated IP67, the WONDERBOOM Play is dustproof and waterproof. It can withstand being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, making it ideal for beach and poolside adventures. It even floats, which is a huge advantage when you’re near water.
• Bose SoundLink Micro: The SoundLink Micro is rated IP67 as well, making it equally waterproof and dustproof. It’s tough and can survive the elements, but it doesn’t float like the WONDERBOOM Play.

3. Battery Life

• WONDERBOOM Play: With up to 10 hours of playback, the WONDERBOOM Play provides a decent amount of continuous playtime for its size. This makes it great for day trips, hiking, or a full day by the pool.
• Bose SoundLink Micro: The Bose SoundLink Micro offers about 6 hours of battery life, which is significantly lower than the WONDERBOOM Play. While it’s fine for shorter sessions, it won’t last as long during extended use.

4. Portability

• WONDERBOOM Play: Weighing just 0.52 pounds, the WONDERBOOM Play is easy to carry and features a handy loop for attaching it to bags, backpacks, or even your bike. Its compact design makes it easy to slip into a backpack without taking up too much space.
• Bose SoundLink Micro: At 0.65 pounds, the Bose SoundLink Micro is also highly portable, but it’s slightly heavier than the WONDERBOOM Play. It comes with a strap, allowing it to be attached easily to a bag.

5. Price

• WONDERBOOM Play: Priced at approximately $79.99, the WONDERBOOM Play is more affordable, making it a great value option for budget-conscious buyers who still want excellent sound and durability.
• Bose SoundLink Micro: The Bose SoundLink Micro costs around $119.99, making it the more expensive option. While the sound quality is good, the extra cost may not justify the slightly lower battery life and sound performance.

Verdict: The WONDERBOOM Play offers better value for money, with more impressive sound, a longer battery life, and the added advantage of floating in water. If you want a rugged and powerful speaker without breaking the bank, the WONDERBOOM Play is the better choice.

• Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play vs JBL Flip 5

1. Sound Quality

• WONDERBOOM Play: The 360-degree sound produced by the WONDERBOOM Play is its biggest strength. It provides rich bass and clear high-end tones, offering an immersive audio experience. While it’s compact, it can still produce volume and bass that you’d expect from much larger speakers.
• JBL Flip 5: The JBL Flip 5 offers a more directional sound experience, which means it doesn’t provide the full 360-degree coverage of the WONDERBOOM Play. However, it delivers deep bass and clear sound that’s great for outdoor events or parties. It doesn’t reach the same bass depths as larger speakers, but the sound is powerful for its size.

2. Durability and Waterproof Rating

• WONDERBOOM Play: The WONDERBOOM Play’s IP67 rating makes it both dustproof and waterproof, and it can float in water. This makes it ideal for outdoor adventures, especially in aquatic environments.
• JBL Flip 5: The JBL Flip 5 also carries an IPX7 rating, which is waterproof, but not dustproof. This speaker can be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes, which is great for poolside use. However, it won’t be as rugged in sandy or dusty environments compared to the WONDERBOOM Play.

3. Battery Life

• WONDERBOOM Play: With 10 hours of continuous playtime, the WONDERBOOM Play holds an edge over the JBL Flip 5 in terms of battery longevity. This means you can enjoy music for longer stretches without needing to recharge.
• JBL Flip 5: The JBL Flip 5 offers a similar 12 hours of battery life, slightly longer than the WONDERBOOM Play, but the difference is minimal. Both offer great endurance for a day-long event or outdoor outing.

4. Portability

• WONDERBOOM Play: The WONDERBOOM Play is more compact and lightweight at 0.52 pounds, with a hand loop for easy carrying. Its small size and portability make it a great option for hiking, biking, or travel.
• JBL Flip 5: The Flip 5 is a little larger and heavier, weighing in at 1.2 pounds, making it bulkier than the WONDERBOOM Play. While it’s still portable, it’s not as convenient for carrying on long hikes or trips.

5. Price

• WONDERBOOM Play: $79.99, offering great value for money, especially considering its portability and sound quality.
• JBL Flip 5: Priced at $119.95, the JBL Flip 5 is more expensive, although it offers more battery life and slightly larger sound.

Verdict: While the JBL Flip 5 offers slightly longer battery life, the WONDERBOOM Play is more portable, offers 360-degree sound, and is more rugged. For those who prioritize portability and an all-around audio experience, the WONDERBOOM Play is the superior choice.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play competes strongly against some of the biggest names in the portable Bluetooth speaker market. While other options like the JBL Flip 5 and Bose SoundLink Micro offer excellent sound quality and features, the WONDERBOOM Play stands out for its durability, floating capability, and unbeatable value for money. For those who want a rugged, portable, and eco-friendly speaker that doesn’t sacrifice sound quality, the WONDERBOOM Play is a top choice.

Is It Worth Buying the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play?

If you’re looking for a durable, waterproof Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t sacrifice sound quality, then the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play is an excellent choice. It’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, partygoers, and anyone who wants to enjoy music without worrying about the elements. With its long battery life, eco-friendly design, and impressive stereo sound, the WONDERBOOM Play offers great value for money. The added benefit of being able to pair two speakers for true stereo sound makes it even more versatile. For the price, it’s a highly recommended option.

Conclusion

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Play Waterproof Speaker is a top-tier portable speaker for those who value sound, durability, and sustainability. With its IP67 waterproof rating, 10 hours of battery life, eco-friendly design, and 360-degree sound, it’s a speaker that meets the needs of a wide range of users. Whether you’re looking for a speaker to take to the beach, to your next party, or just for daily use, the WONDERBOOM Play is a great option that offers unbeatable value for money.

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