When Bluetooth speakers first hit the scene, we saw rapid advances in sound quality and features. But in the past few years, development — and interest, it seems —?stalled. Ultimate Ears’ new Everboom represents a step forward in sound quality while keeping all the features you want in a staple of your home audio setup.
The Everboom impresses with a wide, full sound and deep bass. You get all this in a speaker that’s still easy to tote around. It may be the best portable Bluetooth speaker for people who love good sound —?if you’re willing to pay up for it.
The Everboom spreads music in every direction and generates impressive bass for its size. It lasts for 20 hours on a charge and is waterproof. It’s not too big or too heavy. But it costs more than many similar-sized Bluetooth speakers.
What I liked about it
It has a wide, full sound quality
The Everboom spreads sound in all directions. So regardless of where you’re sitting, you’ll hear its best sound. Other portable speakers do this too, but the Everboom does it better. The Everboom also creates a fuller sound than similar-sized speakers, including the UE Megaboom 3 and JBL Charge 5.
The Everboom impresses most with the bass it produces for its size. You can feel the rumble underlying Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and the thump of the drums on Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather;” if you want more bass you can turn on Outdoor Boost. At the same time, both Lamar’s and Eilish’s vocals were easy to understand and treble was crisp;?the Everboom handles all tones well.
It has a just-right size
At 8.1 by 4.3?by 3.3 inches, the oval-shaped Everboom is shorter than the Megaboom but wider, looking a bit as if someone pushed really hard on a Megaboom to squish it. And at 2.1 pounds, it’s neither too big nor too heavy for most uses. Sure, if you’re hiking a long distance, you may prefer the smaller and lighter Boom, but you’ll give up fidelity in exchange.
It has useful and easy-to-use features
The Everboom uses Ultimate Ears’ Boom app, which is one of the best available. You can easily connect with other speakers in the Boom family to extend the sound. You can also apply sound modes or create your own setting on the five-band EQ. If you have a favorite playlist, you can access it in one touch through the speaker’s Magic Touch button. Ultimate Ears added a new megaphone feature, which projects your voice through the speaker —?though I’m not sure how handy (or wanted) that one will be.
Beyond functionality, the speaker hits all the right marks with power and ruggedness. It promises 20 hours of battery life on a charge —?and can deliver more than that based on my testing —?and is waterproof and dustproof, so you don’t need to worry about taking it to the pool or campground.
What I didn’t like about it
It’s expensive compared to other Bluetooth speakers
Given the Everboom’s $250 price tag, you’ll want to consider whether its excellent sound is worth the cost. The Megaboom 3 offers similar sound for $200, while the JBL Charge 5 goes for $180 — and both can be found for much less during frequent sales.
It may not be perfect for you
While the Everboom hits a sweet spot for sound and size, your needs may vary. If you plan to carry your speaker around a lot, a smaller option like the Tribit StormBox 2 may be better for you. And if sound quality matters more than portability (or cost), then the Sonos Move 2 would be the right choice.
How it compares
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Size and weight | 8.1?x 4.3?x 3.3 in.,?2.1 lbs |
8.7 x 3.8 x 3.7?in., 2.1 lbs |
| Battery | 20 hours |
20 hours |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
Bluetooth |
| Colors | Charcoal Black, Azure Blue, Enchanting Lilac, Raspberry Red |
Blue, Red, Gray, Teal, Squad, Black |
| Ruggedness | IP67 |
IP67 |
| Price | $250 | $180 |
Bottom line
If it’s time for you to pick up a new portable Bluetooth speaker, it’s hard to find a better combination of sound quality, battery life, size and features than the Ultimate Ears Everboom. It’s big enough to deliver impressive bass, clear vocals and crisp treble, yet small enough not to be a burden when you pack it.
The sticker price may deter you, and you don’t have to spend $250 to get good portable sound. But if you can afford it, the Everboom will make your music sound great wherever you go with it.
