Electronics › Speakers & Audio
Boom 4
Model timeline
Portable waterproof Bluetooth speaker
More about it ↓Budget · bottom third of speakers & audio
Quick take
In short: what each side says
AI panel · Reviewers · The press — each opened up in full further down ↓
Best on Gemini (avg #3.0), weakest on Grok (#15.0)
Reviewers agree the Boom 4 keeps Ultimate Ears' rugged, well-balanced 360-degree sound formula intact, with only minor refinements over its predecessor.
5 of 7 outlets recommend it — a clear editorial consensus.
Every side lands high — Holds up.
Main competitors
Top rivals in Speakers & Audio.
About
What it is.
Boom 4 is a cylindrical Bluetooth speaker in Ultimate Ears' portable audio line, built for use away from a desk or shelf. It projects sound in a 360-degree pattern with balanced highs and deep bass, so placement doesn't dictate where the sweet spot falls. The body is sealed against water and dust and floats, letting it work at a pool, on a boat, or in the rain without a case.
A Magic Button on top gives one-touch access to saved playlists from services like Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Music. Four EQ modes let listeners reshape the tone, and the speaker pairs with other Ultimate Ears models such as MEGABOOM for combined output. Its light build and grab-and-go shape suit hiking, backyard use, or travel, and it comes in colors including Raspberry Red, Cobalt Blue, and Enchanting Lilac.
The verdict
The Boom 4's rugged design and multi-day battery satisfy most owners (4.6/5, 533 ratings), though buyers disagree on whether its bass and volume command the $150 price against bulkier competitors. Best for portability-first listeners; less certain a match if raw power is your priority.
Act one
What the machines think.
Several AI models read the category and place this product — model by model, list by list, over time.
Model by model?
How each AI sees it.
Best on Gemini (avg #3.0), weakest on Grok (#15.0) Averaging across the AI panel, Boom 4 sits around #11.0 this snapshot.
Grok
#15.0
2 appearances · best #13
GPT
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Didn’t rank Boom 4 this snapshot.
Perplexity
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Didn’t rank Boom 4 this snapshot.
AI Mode
—
Didn’t rank Boom 4 this snapshot.
Claude
Didn’t rank Boom 4 this snapshot.
Rank trajectory?
Weeks of movement.
Act two · ★ new
What the people say.
The same product, judged by the owners who bought and filmed it — what they praise, what they knock, who it's for.
Video reviews?
What reviewers actually say.
AI summary of 5 reviews · as of Aug 2026
Reviewers agree the Boom 4 keeps Ultimate Ears' rugged, well-balanced 360-degree sound formula intact, with only minor refinements over its predecessor.
What they praise
- Clear, balanced 360-degree sound that works well for most genres and podcasts
- Rugged build with dust and waterproof rating, and the speaker floats
- Long battery life suitable for all-day use
- Simple physical controls with large volume buttons
- Consistent, durable design language across generations
What they knock
- Bass is modest compared to bass-focused rivals unless you step up to a larger model in the line
- Sound can distort or get fuzzy near maximum volume
- Lacks some modern features like multipoint Bluetooth or an aux port on certain models
- 360-degree sound can't be directed, so it's hard to keep audio contained in shared or public spaces
Synthesised from: 10BestOnes · Smart Home Sounds · Cameron Dougherty Tech · The Product Lab · Wilds 1UP Reviews
BEST Bluetooth Speakers Tier List 2025 (FROM GOD TIER TO TRASH TIER)
10BestOnes
UE Everboom Review PLUS All-New Wonderboom 4, Boom 4 & Megaboom 4
Smart Home Sounds
UE Boom 4: A Comprehensive Review
Cameron Dougherty Tech
Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4 (2025) | Watch Before You Buy
The Product Lab
Megaboom 4 Review – Beats JBL & Bose for LESS Money?
Wilds 1UP Reviews
Owner signals?
What owners flag months in.
Not the launch-day reviewers — the owners still posting months later, on the faults that keep recurring.
Bluetooth connection constantly disconnects during playback
Moderate severityOwners report persistent Bluetooth disconnections while playing music that recur over time; the 4.6★ rating built from early reviews may not reflect this ongoing stability issue.
as of August 5 · 9 forum threads?
What the press says?
Where the established press lands.
The press agrees
5 of 7 outlets recommend it — a clear editorial consensus.
Tie-breakerThe AI models split on Boom 4. The press tally below breaks the tie.
“Power/connection buttons on top of the device feel wonderfully tactile”
Read the review ↗ (opens in a new tab)“The Boom 4's main downside is a relative lack of oomph in the lower bass when compared to rivals like the JBL Flip.”
Read the review ↗ (opens in a new tab)Across 7 independent outlets · published expert reviews · last 18 months
Act three · ★ new
Do they agree?
Put the machine's rank and the owners' score in one frame, settle it with a verdict, and answer the only question that matters: should you buy it?
The disagreement
Where the juries actually split.
Gemini
#3avg rank
ranks it highest of the panel
Grok
#15avg rank
the most sceptical model
critics 4.0/5 and press 5/7 sit outside the models' split.
critics 4.0/5press 5/7Per-model average ranks from this week's panel?
The bottom line
So should you buy it?
The AIs’ #3 pick in Speakers & Audio. Critics back it at 4.0 / 5.
Frequent rivals?
What it competes against.
- SRS-XB100SonyUltimate Ears leads 2–0 · 2 sharedRead
- StormBox BlastTribitUltimate Ears leads 2–0 · 2 sharedRead
- SRS-XE300SonyUltimate Ears leads 2–0 · 2 sharedRead
- Xtreme 4JBLEven 1–1 · 2 shared$300–$380Read
- Kilburn IIIMarshallEven 1–1 · 2 sharedRead
- Boom 2 PlusSoundcoreEven 1–1 · 2 sharedRead
- PartyBox Stage 320JBLEven 1–1 · 2 sharedRead
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
What do owners like most about the Boom 4?
Buyers rate its durability and build quality highest at 4.9 out of 5, and praise the rugged design. Battery life is also a standout—owners report going weeks between charges with regular daily use. The buttons on top feel tactile and the device is easy to connect to.
Does the Boom 4 have good bass and volume?
Buyers gave sound quality and bass a 4.5 rating, but opinions split on whether it justifies the price. Reviewers note the Boom 4 lacks oomph in the lower bass compared to larger rivals like the JBL Flip. If raw power is your priority, bulkier competitors may deliver more.
Is the Boom 4 good for portable use?
Yes. Buyers rate portability and size at 4.7, and the press notes the device looks discreet. It's built for people who prioritize carrying a speaker that fits easily, though that compact size does trade off some bass and volume.
What's the catch with the Boom 4?
Long-term owners report that Bluetooth connectivity can be an issue—some experience persistent disconnections during playback that recur over time. The early buyer rating of 4.6 may not fully reflect this ongoing stability concern.
Who is the Boom 4 right for?
Five of seven press outlets recommend it. It's best for listeners who want a durable, portable speaker with exceptional battery life and easy connectivity. It's less of a match if you prioritize maximum bass and volume or need bulletproof Bluetooth stability.
The recap
Where it stands today.
- PositionBest rank #3 across 2 intents tracked (climbed 4 this week).
- FootprintStrongest in Best Bluetooth Speakers (#3). Weakest in Best Portable Party Speakers (#17).
- TraitsMost often described as “waterproof” (2 mentions).
- Closest rivalSRS-XB100 (2–0 across 2 shared intents).
- MakerBy Ultimate Ears — see how it ranks across other intents on its brand profile.
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