Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3

Loud, dynamic sound Easy to use Waterproof Great battery life

Some functionality only supports Apple Music/Deezer

Yes. If you’re in the market for a Bluetooth speaker that you can consistently rely on for big volume, great battery life, and go-anywhere performance, the Megaboom is one of the best you’ll find.

Energetic, entertaining sound 360-degree delivery Good battery life Rugged but attractive design New play/playlist button

No 3.5mm input

Not bigger but definitely better – the Megaboom 3 is probably the best speaker Ultimate Ears has released so far.

Class-leading battery life Gets incredibly loud Punchy sound

Recessed mids Bass sounds loose at high volume Charging dock not included

The UE Megaboom 3 doesn’t stray from the company’s tried and true formula but it doesn’t have to. The Megaboom 3 is one of the best waterproof speakers you can buy thanks to its rugged design, long battery life, and audio performance, plus the new DJ...

Waterproof, dustproof (IP67 rated) and also floats ; Improved controls and charging port ; Excellent value for money ; Loud, clear, bassy audio performance

If we're nitpicking, the sound is still good rather than great

Powerful sound with good clarity in the high-mids. Rugged build. Long battery life.

Can falter with intense deep bass. No wired connection.

Bottom Line: The wireless Ultimate Ears UE Megaboom 3 speaker improves upon its predecessor with a sleeker, more rugged design and a lower price tag.

Great design ; Waterproof and dustproof ; Brilliant sound quality ; Great battery life ; It floats in water ; Boosts bass compared to original model (yay!)

Power Up charging dock not included ; Magic Button playlist feature currently limited ; Won't pair in stereo with original Megaboom (boo!)

There might be a significant number of Bluetooth devices on the market these days but the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 continues to hold its ground as one of the best.

Nicer design

Magic Button is limited by service ; No major improvements

Bassier than before ; So very loud ; IP67 makes it even more durable ; PartyUp is a great (if a little terrifying) feature ; Magic Button isn’t magic, but we’re glad it’s there

No Spotify playlists ; No USB-C ; We miss the volume strap

Tough, loud and bags of fun. Ultimate Ears’ hot streak continues

Waterproof (IP67) and floats ; Sumptuous design ; Integrates with streaming services over Bluetooth

Doesn’t sound as good as the UE Megablast ; No Bluetooth aptX support

If you’ve got a budget of around £200 and you’re looking for a waterproof speaker, it’s up to you to decide what you value more. At the time of writing, both the Megablast and Megaboom 3 are similarly priced at £180 and £170, respectively and they’re...