Ultimate Ears Boom 4 review: buy or skip?

Buy8.1/10 research score

Quick answer

Buy it, if you want sound that fills the space all around you. Why: loud 360-degree sound in a drop-proof, floating speaker. The catch: no app EQ depth.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated November 2, 2026 1 min read

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Our verdict on the Ultimate Ears Boom 4

Buy it if: you want sound that fills the space all around you.
Skip it if: you want strong bass.

Best for: 360-degree sound
Key feature: Loud 360-degree sound in a drop-proof, floating speaker
Typical price: $129–$149

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

Water resistance	IP67
Battery	Up to 15 hours
Weight	0.7 kg
Stereo pairing	Yes (PartyUp)

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

you want sound that fills the space all around you
value 360° sound
can spend around $129–$149

Skip it if you

you want strong bass
mind this: no app EQ depth
mind this: bass is moderate

Pros and cons

Pros

360° sound
Floats
Very rugged
USB-C

Cons

No app EQ depth
Bass is moderate

The verdict in one breath

The Ultimate Ears Boom 4 is a Bluetooth speaker we would point many buyers to. What earns it the buy: loud 360-degree sound in a drop-proof, floating speaker. In our list it is the pick for: 360-degree sound.

Reasons to buy

360° sound
Floats
Very rugged
USB-C

Reasons to skip

No app EQ depth
Bass is moderate

The specs that matter

Water resistance: IP67
Battery: Up to 15 hours
Weight: 0.7 kg
Stereo pairing: Yes (PartyUp)

Worth knowing

Its round, 360-degree design suits picnics and campsites where people sit all around.

Buy it or skip it?

Buy it if you want sound that fills the space all around you. Skip it if you want strong bass; the JBL Flip 7 is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best bluetooth speakers.

Alternatives worth considering

JBL · Speakers

JBL Flip 7

Buy it if you want one tough speaker for the backyard, pool and trips.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Most people
Typical price: $129–$149

Pros

IP68 waterproof and drop-proof
Auracast multi-speaker

Cons

Mono sound

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Bose · Speakers

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)

Buy it if you want a rugged speaker with natural sound.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Clear, portable sound
Typical price: $129–$149

Pros

Clear sound
Floats

Cons

12-hour battery

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Ultimate Ears Boom 4?

Buy it, if you want sound that fills the space all around you. Why: loud 360-degree sound in a drop-proof, floating speaker. The catch: no app EQ depth.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want strong bass. The JBL Flip 7 is the better buy then.

What does the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 cost?

Usually $129–$149 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Ultimate Ears Boom 4: the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 worth buying? Short answer: buy it, if you want sound that fills the space all around you. This review explains what this Ultimate Ears model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which Bluetooth speaker to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 does well

The headline: loud 360-degree sound in a drop-proof, floating speaker. Key specs: Water resistance: IP67; Battery: Up to 15 hours; Weight: 0.7 kg; Stereo pairing: Yes (PartyUp). In our list it is the pick for: 360-degree sound. It usually sells for $129–$149.

Its round, 360-degree design suits picnics and campsites where people sit all around.

The trade-offs

Good: 360° sound, floats, very rugged, USB-C. Not so good: no app EQ depth, bass is moderate. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you want strong bass.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the JBL Flip 7 ($129–$149): punchy sound, IP68 toughness and Auracast in a bottle-size speaker. Better if you want one tough speaker for the backyard, pool and trips.

Instead, consider the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) ($129–$149): clear, balanced sound in a tough, floating speaker. Better if you want a rugged speaker with natural sound.

Instead, consider the JBL Charge 6 ($179–$199): big sound, long battery and power-bank charging in a rugged body. Better if you want one speaker for the beach, backyard and travel.

Before you buy

Waterproofing: IP67 survives the pool, the beach and rain. Size vs sound: bigger drivers mean more bass, but a speaker you actually carry beats one that stays home. Pairing: party or stereo modes let you link two speakers of the same brand.

US buyer tip

For backyard and pool use, a rugged IP67 speaker is the safest buy; check whether the brand sells replacement batteries or offers a long warranty.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.