Wonderboom 2 and 3 both have two year warranties. This is somewhat unexpected from a portable speaker, since most competing products offer 1 year or less. As if that isn’t enough, the speakers are also well-built and durable — so it wouldn’t be surprising if these products significantly outlast the warranty.

WONDERBOOM 2 vs Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 vs Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3

My strong advice is to keep an eye out for discounts on the UE Wonderboom 2. For all intents and purposes, it can do everything that the Wonderboom 3 can. But with the new version released, it is likely that there are some good sales coming on the older version. What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence. Also improved on the Wonderboom 2 is the battery life - up to 13 hours compared to the previous model’s 10, according to Ultimate Ears - and we found that number to be fairly accurate. We managed to get 12 hours playing at medium to low volume but if you want to play with Outdoor Boost all the time expect to cut the 13 hours in half. VerdictThe other bit of good news is that, thanks to its wraparound grille, the Wonderboom 2 boasts 360 degrees of sound, which means you get the same audio quality wherever you are in relation to the speaker. My guess is that the battery is the same, and the additional 1 hour of battery life comes from an upgraded bluetooth version. Newer bluetooth versions tend to be more battery-friendly, so I would assume that is how UE plans on gaining an extra hour of function. Many portable speakers have “dead zones” where the audio sounds poor (or quiet). Usually, these zones occur when you are standing behind the speaker, or at a diagonal to the speaker, or if the speaker has a higher or lower elevation than your ears. With the Wonderboom, there really aren’t any dead zones — instead, the speaker sounds similar from almost any position in the room. While sound quality is often tested in ideal conditions, it’s important to consider how the Wonderboom speakers perform in various real-world environments. From outdoor picnics to house parties and quiet indoor sessions, the use of these portable speakers isn’t limited to just one setting.

Wonderboom 2 Portable Speakers - JB Hi-Fi Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 Portable Speakers - JB Hi-Fi

We cue up an iPhone and listen to The Waking by Kurt Elling on Spotify Premium. The first thing to note is that the extra bass promised by UE is here, and it pays dividends in the mix. Elling’s voice is as forward as we’d expect, but thanks in part to that extra bass injection, it never dominates. The Wonderboom 3 offers Fast Pairing for Android devices, a slightly improved battery life, and a more eco-friendly design with 31% recycled plastic. The sound quality, however, remains identical to its predecessor. Is it possible to pair a Wonderboom 2 with a Wonderboom 3? Both speakers get 12+ hours at 50% volume. So we give UE points for (almost) living up to their battery life promises. The Wonderboom 2 is every bit as precise as the original five-star model, yet it delivers a weightier sound while losing none of the core musicality.

This leaner character doesn’t sharpen any edges; it just shines a light on the treble, laying bare more high-frequency notes than the previous model. Some might prefer a more full-bodied presentation to their songs, especially with voices – Lizzo’s vocals on Truth Hurts sound fuller and richer through the older Wonderboom 2, for instance. But that new extra helping of detail and clarity is appreciated, with the Wonderboom 2 sounding a tad boomy and congested in comparison to Wonderboom 3’s snappier, roomier presentation. The only visible indication of battery life occurs when the small LED on top of the speaker turns red with low battery.