Whether you’re a consistent camper, one who loves roughing it in the backcountry every weekend, or a novice hiker looking for some audio inspiration, enjoying music outdoors can be both fun and inspiring.
Looking for a waterproof speaker and wondering if the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 can stand up to getting wet? Well, we did the work and put it through our special three-phase waterproof test to find out.
Our review, seen below, discusses the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 and features the waterproof test results from our ultimate exam. Is the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 really waterproof, or will your sound get cut underwater? Keep reading to find out!
The Basics
The basics of a waterproof speaker are undoubtedly the most important part. As a pretty small outdoor speaker, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 packs a punch. While no more than four inches tall and weighing in at under one pound, this Bluetooth-capable speaker throws wide amplification for a crisp and loud sound.
Along with its sound abilities and Bluetooth extras, it has a sleek and simple design. Nothing fancy is needed here. Shaped like a tiny barrel, this device has a plus sign button for increased volume and an equally sized minus button for decreasing volume. It also has a little fabric loop tab for attaching it to your backpack or car with a clip or carabiner.
How do you turn it on? Simply press one of the buttons or activate the Bluetooth on your device. Voila. It doesn’t get more comfortable than that.
But how does it really hold up when it gets covered in water? Take a look at how the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 held its own against our tests.
Waterproof Testing Results
For those who need a quick reminder, all our products are put through a rigorous waterproof test to prove their worthiness if they get covered in a little H20. Our three-phase testing process for the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 included The Mist, The Rain, and The Dunk. Here are the results.
The Mist
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 did a great job holding up to The Mist test. Not only did the sound not get muffled or scratchy at all, but the water seemed not to stick to the device even slightly, bypassing it altogether.
This is great news when using a speaker in super humid climates, around lightly splashing water, or even when floating down a river in the summertime. Are you living in a damp climate like the Pacific Northwest or visiting the tropics on an epic vacation? No sweat. The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 will hold up perfectly.
The Rain
During The Rain test, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 also did great. Rain droplets rolled right off of the speaker rather than pooling and sinking into small crevices. This means that rain won’t damage the speaker in any way or alter the sound. While a monsoon storm might present different results, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is waterproof during a typical rain shower.
The Dunk
The most important test of all might be The Dunk. When dunked completely underwater, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 did pretty well. Though the sound did become slightly more muffled for a couple of seconds, there was no significant crackling noise, and the speaker itself came to the surface pretty quickly, meaning it tends to float.
This buoyancy paid off because upon hitting the water’s surface, it just continued playing. Perfect for the accidental drop in the bathtub or the lake.
Other Features We Like
While coming in at anywhere from $62 to $115 depending on the color, we’re a fan of the moderate price compared to what you get for your value. A truly great portable waterproof Bluetooth speaker is hard to find, and this one has it all.
Not only does the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 boast decent speakers and sound clarity, but it also has an extra-loud echo-reducing option called Outdoor Boost and can pair along with other UE speakers.
It’s small enough to fit in your pocket or backpack while you’re hiking and durable enough to travel with you when taking on rugged terrain or riding down the river.
Complaints
While the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is one of the best little waterproof speakers on the market, it does come with two specific downfalls, one major and one minor.
First and foremost, the battery life is simply not up to par. The battery life is advertised as lasting up to 13 hours, but this is simply not the case. Instead, you should plan on getting around eight to ten hours of battery out of this little guy and charge whenever possible.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 also does not come with a clip. While this is a minor problem compared to the battery life, it means you’ll need to provide your own durable clip to conveniently attach it to anything, especially if you’re trying to keep track of it when taking it on the road.
So, should you plan on purchasing it? And if not, who should?
Who Should Get The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2
In our opinion, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is best for anyone who has a little bit of extra cash to spend on a sweet little speaker. It’s great for those who love floating down the river or even rafting from time to time, as its ability to float gives you lots of options and peace of mind on the water. Grab a clip, secure it to your tube, and enjoy the water!
Final Verdict: Is The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 Speaker Waterproof?
Even though no electronic speaker is ever considered completely and totally waterproof in the long run, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 does a great job of holding its own against wet conditions.
We are excited to give this speaker a thumbs up and let you know that the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is a great waterproof option for bringing music out of the house and into the great outdoors! It is even one of our top picks for the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker.
Until next time, stay dry out there.
