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Head-to-head · Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100

Anker Soundcore 2 vs Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.0 vs 3.4). Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is best for: Hikers, campers and poolside listeners who want the toughest, most weatherproof speaker under $100 with consistent 360-degree sound. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Anker Soundcore 2
Ranked #5 in Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100
Anker Soundcore 2
4 sources$29.99as of Oct 11

The Anker Soundcore 2 is the best budget pick under $100, delivering around 24 hours of battery and IPX7 water resistance for a price that's often well under $50. It's a remarkable value. The sound can strain at high volume and it still uses micro-USB, but as an affordable, long-lasting everyday speaker it's hard to argue with.

Strengths
  • — Outstanding battery life rated around 24 hours
  • — Excellent value, frequently available for well under $50
  • — IPX7 water resistance handles rain and splashes
Watch-outs
  • — Overall sound quality trails pricier rivals and can sound strained when loud
  • — Bass lovers will still want more low-end punch
  • — Older micro-USB charging rather than USB-C
$29.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4
2 sources$74.5as of Oct 11

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is the most rugged, take-anywhere speaker under $100, combining an IP67 rating with a floating, drop-proof body and omnidirectional 360-degree sound. It's punchy for its size and now charges over USB-C, which makes it a natural companion for a hike, pool or shower. The downsides are that it's only a small step up from the Wonderboom 3 and still lacks app support, but as a grab-and-go durable speaker it's hard to beat.

Strengths
  • — Omnidirectional 360-degree sound that stays consistent no matter how it's placed
  • — Modern USB-C charging finally replaces the old micro-USB port
  • — Compact, light and easy to clip or toss in any bag
Watch-outs
  • — Only a modest upgrade over the Wonderboom 3
  • — Still not supported by the Ultimate Ears companion app, so no EQ
  • — Not powerful enough to fill a large room or big backyard
$74.5 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Anker Soundcore 2

It trades the IP67 toughness of the JBL and Sony picks for slightly lower IPX7 water resistance and lacks their USB-C charging.

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 shares an IP67 rating with the JBL Clip 5 and Sony SRS-XB100 and has a floating, drop-proof body with 360-degree sound. It has no app or EQ, where the Clip 5 offers a 5-band EQ through the JBL Portable app. At 424 g it is heavier than the 274 g SRS-XB100, and its 14-hour battery life sits between the Clip 5's 12 hours and the Anker Soundcore 2's 24 hours.

Specs side-by-side

SpecAnker Soundcore 2Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4
DriversDual drivers + spiral bass portDual drivers + dual passive radiators (360-degree)
Power Output12W RMS—
Battery LifeUp to 24 hoursUp to 14 hours
WaterproofingIPX7 (water resistant)IP67 (waterproof + dustproof), floats
Bluetooth5.05.2
Stereo PairingYes (two units)—
ChargingMicro-USBUSB-C
Weight414 g424 g
Range—Up to 131 ft (40 m)
Modes—Outdoor Boost, Podcast mode
← See the full ranking of best portable bluetooth speakers under $100