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

Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker 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

Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker and Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 score essentially the same (4.0 vs 4.0). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker
Ranked #4 in Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100
Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker
2 sources$100as of Oct 17

The Soundcore Boom 2 is a mini boombox-style Bluetooth speaker with a carry handle, an 80 W peak output, IPX7 waterproofing and a claimed 24-hour battery. CNET found it delivers impressive sound for its size and gave it an Editors' Choice award for 2024, while TechGearLab measured 33 hours 48 minutes of playback and a peak of 99.8 dB. Both note it has no dust-resistance rating, and TechGearLab heard compression at full volume and found the highs a little dull. It suits people who want a loud, bass-heavy speaker for parties, the pool or a campsite; anyone who wants something pocketable or a neutral, detailed sound should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Ran for 33 hours 48 minutes in TechGearLab's battery test, beating its 24-hour rating
  • — Measured 99.8 dB at full volume, loud enough for a mid-sized gathering
  • — IPX7 waterproof and floats if it falls into water
Watch-outs
  • — Weighs 3.7 lb and takes up about half a backpack
  • — Sound compresses and distorts at the highest volume
  • — No dust-resistance rating
$100 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4
Ranked #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

Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker

The Boom 2 is much larger than the JBL Clip 5: TechGearLab measured 3.7 lb against 0.6 lb, and the Clip 5 carries an IP67 dust and water rating where the Boom 2 is IPX7 waterproof only. In exchange, TechGearLab measured the Boom 2 at 100 dB to the Clip 5's 87 dB and recorded 33.8 hours of battery against 8.8. It is a bigger, louder alternative to the Sony SRS-XB100 and Anker Soundcore 2 for users who do not need a speaker that fits in a pocket.

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

SpecSoundcore Boom 2 by AnkerUltimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4
Peak Output80 W—
Water ResistanceIPX7, floats—
Measured Weight3.7 lb—
Dimensions12.0 x 4.0 x 7.0 in—
Claimed Battery Life24 hours—
ChargingUSB-C, with USB-out portUSB-C
Speaker LinkingPartyCast 2.0—
ConnectivityBluetooth, multipoint pairing—
Drivers—Dual drivers + dual passive radiators (360-degree)
Battery Life—Up to 14 hours
Waterproofing—IP67 (waterproof + dustproof), floats
Bluetooth—5.2
Range—Up to 131 ft (40 m)
Modes—Outdoor Boost, Podcast mode
Weight—424 g
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