Bluetooth speakers don't have to be cool, but Ultimate Ears deserves credit for making their products look amazing.Like the Boom 3 Bluetooth speaker and the UE WonderBoom 2, UE's WonderBoom 2 has a lot to offer in terms of design. It also delivers 360-degree sound. The $99 sound is a softball. It's a simple Bluetooth speaker that delivers a clear sound, but it looks great and can be used as a travel companion, camping, beach or other outdoor activities.Mug for musical performancesThere is not much happening up there. Credit: Mashable composite; Shutterstock/ Marina DekhnikThe WonderBoom 2 measures 104mm x 95.3mm and is approximately the same size as a coffee mug. It is cylindrical with a fabric-covered speaker grill wrapping around its body. The top and bottom are flat. The speaker grill is a UE staple, with large plus and minus buttons for volume control. You'll find a Bluetooth pairing button and a power button on the top. A prominent circular button handles all playback controls. A single press will play or pause the track, while a double-press will skip to next track.Although the model I tested came in the boring "Crushed Ice Grey", there are five other options available, including a completely insane "Bermuda Blue". The $149 Boom 3's price drop is evident in this area. This speaker allows for full customization, including text and colors. However, this is not the case. The different color schemes are still fashionable and appreciated.As usual, I prefer real playback controls over condensing all the information into one button. Although it's simple to use, you can still control your music using your phone. However, one button cannot do everything. The Bluetooth button is the only way to pair WonderBoom 2 with a device. You can't use the Boom 3 compatible mobile app for customization or setup. This makes setup extremely simple and quick. The settings, on the other hand are just that: settings. You can't adjust an equalizer, change the button commands or link multiple music services into one interface. Boom 3 is the best choice if you are concerned about all that.There is another button, located on the bottom. Although it is easy to overlook, Outdoor Boost is the most important. The Outdoor Boost feature amplifies the sound quality of the WonderBoom 2 in loud outdoor environments. This is the unique feature UE has packed into this beast, and it's a great one.Other physical features to note are the microUSB charging port on the back, and the hanging loop near the Bluetooth button. It can be used to hang the speaker, as well. The WonderBoom 2 is compact and lightweight, so I didn't feel the need to hang it. However, the loop is small enough that it doesn't get in the way.The WonderBoom 2 has an IP67 waterproof rating which means it can be submerged up to 30 minutes without causing any problems. Although I don't have a swimming-pool nearby, it should be able float. I'm not sure why you would do this instead of just putting it on the ground near the pool. But, you can do what you want. UE claims the WonderBoom 2's endurance, which I can confirm works. The speaker was dropped from about 5 feet into the air onto a hardwood floor. It didn't seem like it had happened. It was very nice.A small, but powerful sound for a tiny bodyClick this link to activate Outdoor Boost. Credit: alex Perry / MashableThe WonderBoom 2 and Boom 3 have a $50 difference in price, but the sound quality won't be compromised if you choose the cheaper model. The tiny speaker is loud and clear with a powerful voice. It also has crisp delivery for subtle elements. My testing revealed that Paul's Boutique, the seminal Beastie Boys album, stood out. The second track "Shake Your Rump", which is a shining example of the quality of the audio output, was the most notable. It's as bizarre as it is beautiful, with so many different samples it would be illegal or prohibitively costly to make this album. It's beautiful and WonderBoom 2 shows it off in all its glory.Outdoor Boost makes it even better. The WonderBoom 2's outdoor-focused feature, which amplifies the bass, makes it a great speaker for any noisy environment. Outdoor Boost performed admirably when I tested the speaker on my stoop. Despite the noises of sirens and children playing basketball in the distance, the speaker held its own.Outdoor Boost is a great speaker. I have a problem with my window air conditioner making it difficult to use Bluetooth speakers indoors in the summer. The sound quality is excellent.Its battery life is also rated the same. It is rated by UE for 13 hours. This is a little less than the Boom's 15-hour rating. In my testing, there was nothing that would challenge that rating. One charge will easily last between 10 to 13 hours. And since there's no sleep mode, passive battery drain is not something you have to worry about. The Boom 3's battery is excellent and you can get it for $50 more. However, you won't be disappointed if you go cheaper.One thing I have to say about the battery is that it's difficult to check for battery life. You can't connect the WonderBoom 2 with a mobile app, as you can with the Boom 3, but you can do that virtually. The downside is that you can't get an on-screen reading of the battery life in percentages. Holding down the volume buttons for a few seconds will trigger one of three jingles that will play to inform you if your battery is full, low, or near empty.This is just too precise. Is it 90 percent or 70%? I don't know. WonderBoom 2's battery capacity is sufficient to make the distinction not important. However, it would have been great to be able to see the battery level in a more useful way.There are many cheap speakers availableSimply put, it's unlikely that you will find a Bluetooth speaker with the same sound quality, battery life and portability as the WonderBoom 2 at a price close to $99. There are quality alternatives.JBL Flip 4 ($89), has a similar 360° speaker grille and is rated at 12 hours battery lifeTribit StormBox ($57), a rated battery for absurdly 20 hours and also features a 360-degree speakerBose SoundLink Micro ($99), which is only rated to last 6 hours on a single battery, is small and lightweight. It also has Siri and Google Assistant support.I like the WonderBoom 2's overall look and feel better than all others, and it's difficult to imagine any other sounding better. It's nice to have choices.Form and functionHanging loop. Credit: Mashable composite/ Shutterstock/ Marina DekhnikUE's WonderBoom 2 isn't designed to do much. However, it's not a bad thing. It is a Bluetooth speaker that's pure Bluetooth. It has elegant looks, portability, and a larger-than-expected sound. It's hard to beat this price at $99Sadly, this low price has its downsides. UE doesn't have a mobile app that works well with this speaker. It is impossible to adjust the audio settings, change button inputs or see the battery life. Although it may seem superficial, the Boom 3's extreme visual customization is missing.WonderBoom 2 is a great indoor and outdoor music player, even if you don’t mind the minor price cuts. Make sure to use the Outdoor Boost button.
