You’re standing by the pool, or maybe you’re about to hop in the shower, and you realize your phone’s tiny speakers just aren't cutting it. You want something that can handle a splash—or a full-on dunk—without dying. Honestly, that’s where the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 usually enters the conversation. It’s that little grenade-shaped speaker you see everywhere, from dorm rooms to hiking trails.
But there is a lot of noise out there about whether this new version is actually worth your cash.
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Some people say it’s just a repackaged version of the old one. Others swear by the new features. If you’re looking at that $99.99 price tag and wondering if you should just buy the older, cheaper model, you aren't alone. Let’s get into what’s actually happening under the hood of this thing.
The USB-C Revolution (Finally)
For years, the biggest gripe with the Wonderboom line was the charging port. It felt like Ultimate Ears was stuck in 2015, clinging to Micro-USB like a security blanket while the rest of the world moved on.
With the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 portable bluetooth speaker, they finally killed the Micro-USB.
It has a USB-C port now. It sounds like a small thing, but you've probably felt the frustration of carrying three different cables just to charge one speaker. Now, you can use the same cord that charges your phone or laptop. It takes about 2.6 hours to get from dead to a full charge. That gives you roughly 14 hours of playback, which is plenty for a long day at the beach or a weekend camping trip.
Is the sound actually better?
Kinda. It’s complicated.
If you’re expecting a massive overhaul of the internal hardware, you might be disappointed. The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 uses the same dual 40mm active drivers and twin passive radiators as the previous version. The "360-degree sound" remains the calling card here. It doesn't matter where you stand; the audio hits you the same way.
However, they did add a new "Podcast Mode."
Basically, it tweaks the EQ to make voices pop. If you listen to a lot of true crime or talk shows while you’re getting ready in the morning, this is actually pretty great. It cuts out the muddy bass that can sometimes make speech hard to hear in a tiled bathroom. On the flip side, for music, you’ll probably want to stick to the standard mode or the "Outdoor Boost." That boost button on the bottom bumps the volume up to about 87 decibels, though you’ll lose some of the low-end punch in exchange for that extra loudness.
Durability and the "Floating" Factor
One thing Ultimate Ears hasn't messed with—because they didn't need to—is the build quality. This thing is a tank.
It carries an IP67 rating. That means it’s totally dustproof and can survive being underwater for 30 minutes. But the real "pro tip" is that it floats. Most waterproof speakers will sink to the bottom of the pool like a stone, but the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 just bobs along on the surface.
- Drop protection: It’s rated to survive a 5-foot (1.5m) fall.
- Materials: About 31% of the plastic is post-consumer recycled material.
- Range: You get roughly 131 feet of Bluetooth range, so you can leave your phone by the grill and take the speaker to the other side of the yard without it cutting out.
There is one weird limitation you should know about: it doesn't work with the UE Boom app. You can’t use "PartyUp" to link it with a Megaboom or an Epicboom. You can still pair it with another Wonderboom (even a Wonderboom 3) for true wireless stereo, but you have to do it with the physical buttons on the device. It’s a bit old-school, but it works.
Why the Wonderboom 4 Still Matters
You can find cheaper speakers. You can definitely find bigger ones. But the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 occupies this weird "Goldilocks" zone. It weighs less than a pound (about 420g), so it doesn't feel like a chore to clip it to a backpack.
The design is still iconic. Those giant "+" and "-" volume buttons on the front aren't just for show—they make it incredibly easy to adjust the sound when your hands are wet or you’re wearing gloves.
Is it a revolutionary upgrade? No. If you already own a Wonderboom 3 and you don't care about USB-C, there isn't a huge reason to upgrade. But if you're buying your first "serious" portable speaker, the 4 is the one to get. It fixes the only major flaw of its predecessor and keeps everything that made the original a hit.
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Real-world performance notes
In actual use, the bass is surprisingly punchy for a speaker this size. It won't rattle your windows, but it fills a medium-sized room easily. The sweet spot for volume is around 75%. If you crank it to the absolute max, you might notice a bit of distortion in the highs, especially with complex rock tracks or heavy EDM. For pop, hip-hop, and acoustic stuff, it’s remarkably clear.
The bungee loop on the top is also sturdier than it looks. You can hang it from a shower head, a tree branch, or even a bike handlebar. It’s built for people who are actually going places, not just sitting on a shelf.
To get the most out of your Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4, keep these steps in mind:
- Check for deals: While the MSRP is $99, it frequently drops to $79 or even $60 during sales events on Amazon or at Best Buy.
- Pair for stereo: If you can swing it, buying two of these and setting them up in stereo mode completely changes the experience. It adds a level of depth that a single 360-degree speaker just can't match.
- Mind the "Outdoor" button: Only use the Outdoor Boost when you're actually outside and need the volume. Indoors, it can make the music sound a bit thin and "tinny."
- Use Google Fast Pair: If you’re on Android, just turn the speaker on near your phone. A pop-up will appear, and you’re connected in one tap. No digging through settings menus.