If you’re like me, you listen to music or a podcast while taking a shower. Sure, modern smartphones are IP-rated to handle such conditions, but hearing horror stories about destroyed electronics still makes me want a buffer between my phone and running water. A waterproof Bluetooth speaker like the UE Wonderboom 4 is exactly the kind of buffer I prefer.
The Wonderboom 4 is our pick for the best durable mini Bluetooth speaker out there thanks to its rugged water- and dust-proof design. Whether you’re getting ready for back-to-school season and are looking for a way to add music to your morning routing or you’re enjoying the last few weeks of summer fun — poolside and elsewhere — right now you can add music to your poolside adventures or anywhere else for just $60. That’s a $40 discount on the list price for this mini speaker with great sound for its size.
The coolest part about this speaker is that it floats. That means you can take it to the pool, drop it in (accidentally or on purpose), it’ll float on top of the water. It has an IP67 rating, which means it can handle being submerged in up to three feet of water for 30 minutes. Since it floats, it’ll rarely ever reach those depths. The dust resistance means it’ll handle larger particles like dirt and sand without notable issue. In short, there are few Bluetooth speakers on the market suited for a beach trip like the Wonderboom 4.
UE designs these things with 360-degree sound, so you don’t need to worry about directionality like some other Bluetooth speakers. They’re also small enough to carry in one hand, making them easy to carry along on hikes or camping trips.
The UE Wonderboom is small enough to hold in one hand, making it easy to bring it with you.
Other than that, what you see is what you get. It delivers 10 watts of power, which is enough for background music while hanging out at the beach or listening to jazz at the pool. You’ll want a larger Bluetooth speaker if you need your tunes to fill large areas. The speaker also comes with a Podcast Mode, which increases bumps up the frequency response where vocals typically are, making voices sound louder and fuller.
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The UE Wonderboom 4 is great for its use case, which is carrying it around and listening to music around water. That said, it’s a pretty small speaker, and small speakers don’t have the biggest output. If you’re in search of something louder with a little more audiophilia baked in, we recommend checking out the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers as tested by CNET.
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Not a bad value for under $100
The Wonderboom 4 is a good value when it goes on sale. At just $60 — the lowest price we’ve seen it go for — you can get something sturdy and reliable that you can take with you almost anywhere. The fact that it floats means it was tailor-made for watery environments, which is another thing not every Bluetooth speaker boasts.