If you are in a hurry! here is a quick comparison of Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
|
Model |
UE Boom 3 |
UE Megaboom 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
Dimensions |
7.2 x 2.8 inches |
8.9 x 3.4 inches |
|
Weight |
1.34 lbs |
2 lbs |
|
Wireless pairing |
Ultimate Ears (UE) |
Ultimate Ears (UE) |
|
Water resistance |
IP67 |
IP67 |
|
Frequency range |
90Hz – 20kHz |
60Hz – 20kHz |
|
Charging Time |
2.75h |
5.5h |
|
USB Port |
Micro USB |
Micro USB |
|
Battery Life |
Around 15 hours |
Around 20 hours |
|
Drivers |
Two 2-inch |
Two 2-inch |
|
Bluetooth |
Bluetooth 5.0 |
Bluetooth 5.0 |
|
Rating |
||
|
Price |
Ultimate Ears Bluetooth speakers are very trendy in recent times. In fact, they slowly but surely are becoming one of the best Bluetooth manufacturers in the world.
If you are interested in buying an Ultimate Ears speaker, you should start by examining their most well-known hits, the UE Megaboom 3 or Boom 3.
They are both outstanding Bluetooth speakers, each made with quality as a top priority. They are placed in different categories of speakers. The UE Boom 3 is less powerful and suitable for indoor parties, and the UE Megaboom 3 is excellent for medium outdoor gatherings.
Let’s go through their characteristics and find out which is better Megaboom 3 or Boom 3.
About Ultimate Ears
As we mentioned in the beginning, Ultimate Ears has massively increased its Bluetooth speaker sales only by creating high-quality products with excellent design.
Ultimate Ears is an American based company, owned by Logitech. Their signature designs with oversized plus and minus sign quickly became popular among people.
We can spot a vast improvement in their products compared to their first series, and now they are capable of rivaling top Bluetooth speaker manufacturers like JBL.
UE Megaboom 3
UE Megaboom 3 is a Bluetooth speaker that sits in the mid-sized category. Given its size, it will definitely surprise you with the sound quality it can produce, followed by a very punchy bass.
Just like most of their Bluetooth speakers, it has a cylindric shape that is designed to sit vertically. It is wrapped in high-quality fabric that makes it very durable. On the edges of the speaker, you can spot a soft rubber that protects the speaker from hits and bumps.
The best thing about the UE Megaboom 3 is that it has an IP67 certificate, which means it is waterproof and dustproof.
It comes with an impressive 20-hour battery life, which is better than most of the competitors in this category. Plus, it can be charged wirelessly, but if you purchase charging dock additionally.
Pros
- Punchy bass
- Good sound balance
- IP67 Rated
- Good looking
- 20 Hour battery life
Cons
- No AUX port
- Highs and mids are pushed back a bit from the bass
UE Boom 3
On the other hand, we got the Megaboom 3 younger brother, the UE Boom 3. It is smaller Bluetooth speakers, which accent its portability. It sits in the mid to small-sized Bluetooth speakers category but still a contender for your next purchase.
Obviously, you cannot expect the best sound-quality given its small size, but it still provides decent audio for the money.
Just like most Ultimate Ears Bluetooth speakers, the UE Boom 3 also is rated with IP67 making it waterproof and dustproof. This is a huge improvement over its predecessor.
Pros
- Very portable Bluetooth speaker
- Made with high-quality materials
- Wireless charging available for an additional cost
- IP67 Certificate (and it floats on water)
Cons
- Sound quality is not brilliant
- No 3.5mm jack
Face-to-Face
Which is Better Megaboom 3 or Boom 3?
Since the same company manufactures both Bluetooth speakers, there should be a difference in their specifications.
Let’s compare Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs Megaboom 3 and find out which is the best.
Design
Design-wise, both Bluetooth speakers look identical, except for the larger size on the Megaboom 3. However, if you are comparing them from a picture, you will not be able to tell the difference.
They are both wrapped in the same high-quality fabric, followed by rubber on the edges. Ultimate Ears is known for their incredible designs, and the Megaboom 3 and Boom 3 are no exception.
They have the same cylindrical shape, and the only difference is the size. The Megaboom 3 comes in 3.38 inches in diameter and 8.87 inches tall, whereas the Boom 3 is slightly smaller, coming in 2.9 inches in diameter and 7.2 inches tall.
The Megaboom 3 is also considerably heavier weighing 925 grams compared to the Boom 3, which is only 608 grams.
They both have identical oversized plus and minus signs and come in two-tone colors. Additionally, the Megaboom 3 comes in fewer color varieties (only Dusk, Night Black, and Red). In contrast, Boom 3 comes in Ultraviolet Purple, Cloud, Denim, Storm, Sunset Red, Night Black, and Lagoon Blue.
They have the same Magic button on the top of the speaker and a carrying strap on the side.
Both of them are excellent looking Bluetooth speakers, and the only difference is the size.
Winner: Tie
Sound Quality
You will be suppressed to head that both devices actually have the same size speakers. However, the difference in sound quality is very noticeable.
The Boom 3 has two 2-inch drivers and two 4-inch passive radiators; on the other hand, the Megaboom 3 has two 2-inch drivers alongside 2.2”x3.4” passive radiators.
Both speakers sound good, but the Megaboom 3 has richer and deeper sounds compared to the Boom 3. It is also louder even though Ultimate Ears claims that they both go to the same maximum sound level of 90dBA.
Another important difference is the frequency range. The Boom 3 can only go from 90Hz – 20kHz, whereas the Megaboom 3 has a lower frequency range of 60Hz – 20kHz.
Both speakers deliver the sound in a 360-degree angle, which is great since you can place the Bluetooth speaker in the middle of the room, and the sounds will go everywhere.
Since they are mid-sized Bluetooth speakers, they really surprise by the amount of bass they produce. The Megaboom 3 has more punchy bass, given its slightly larger and different shape passive radiators.
Winner: Megaboom 3
Connectivity
Since you are interested in buying a Bluetooth speaker, a good connection should be one of your first priorities. Fortunately, both devices are equipped with great Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and have an enormous range of 45 meters.
In the real world, you will face trouble reaching 45 meters of range since it has to be in open space, but they still have a better range than most Bluetooth speakers in their category.
Unfortunately, they don’t have NFC pairing, which can connect a device only by touching the Bluetooth speaker. But it is not a significant loss, since you can turn off/on the Bluetooth speaker from the app.
More: JBL Xtreme 2 vs UE Megaboom 3: Which One Is the Best?
Another disadvantage for both speakers is that they have an old-fashioned charging with Micro USB-B port when more modern speakers already have USB-C charging. However, they have a wireless charging option, which is great since you can place the charging dock under the speaker, and it will be charged at all times.
Both speakers have the same Party feature, where you can connect two Ultimate Ears devices for stereo, or up to 150 devices for an enormous party.
Unfortunately, neither the UE Boom 3 nor the UE Megaboom 3 have a microphone, which means there is no speakerphone option.
It is hard to tell the difference in terms of connectivity since they both have exactly the same features.
Winner: Tie
Battery Life
Another important segment of a portable speaker is battery life. Both Bluetooth speakers have decent battery life.
The Megaboom 3 has an impressive 20-hour battery life, and on the other hand, the Boom 3 has a slightly smaller battery life of 15 hours.
However, this is what Ultimate Ears claims that they could reach. Of course, battery life depends on many different factors such as volume, type of music, etc. so it hard to reach the estimated battery life in the real world.
In fact, the Megaboom 3 will average an 18-hour battery life if you play it at 50%, and the Boom 3 has a 10-hour battery life played at the same conditions.
The biggest disadvantage for both speakers is the slow charging times. They will reach a full charge in little over 2.75hours, which is considerably slower when compared to Bluetooth speakers that have USB-C.
To look at the bright side, you’ll get a Wirelessly charging Bluetooth speaker, which is great.
Winner: Megaboom 3
What Is The Difference Between the Megaboom 3 and Boom 3?
As you can see from this comparison test, both Bluetooth speakers are very similar. This begs the question, is of is it a good idea to buy the more expensive Megaboom 3 when they have almost identical performances?
Let’s find out the differences between both devices.
Sound Quality
Well, as is nearly always the case, the bigger speaker sounds much better. That is also the case with the Megaboom 3 vs Boom 3.
But, Boom 3 is still the best you can find in terms of overall performance, given its size and price.
Some people even might say that the Boom 3 sounds more natural and satisfying that the Megaboom 3, but with the larger speaker, you will get louder audio and lower vibrant notes.
The Megaboom 3 is much better than the Boom 3 in terms of bass and tracks that have more depth.
More: Comparing Ultimate Ears Boom 3 with JBL Flip 5 -Which is The Better Bluetooth Speaker?
Size and Color Options
Another difference is the size of both speakers. The Megaboom 3 is slightly larger, but with that said, it still maintained its portability, and you can take it anywhere you want.
On the other hand, we have the Boom 3, which is the best size for a portable speaker. It is just the right size since it is enough to fill an entire room with sound, and still be portable to put it in your bag for traveling.
As we mentioned, the Megaboom 3 also comes with fewer color options. However, there are still some great colors available that look great with the Bluetooth speaker.
More: Ultimate Ears Megablast vs Megaboom 3: Which Bluetooth Speaker is Better?
Charging Time
Another noticeable difference between the two devices is the charging times. Although both devices have micro USB chargings, the Megaboom 3 comes with a very slow charging time of 5 hours and 30 minutes.
On the other hand, the Boom 3 comes with more reasonable 2 hours and 40 minutes until fully charged.
More: Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs 2: Does it Worth the Upgrade?
Verdict
Choose the UE Boom 3 if:
- You want a smaller and more portable Bluetooth speaker.
- You want a less expensive Bluetooth speaker.
- You want more color options.
- You want a more natural-sounding Bluetooth speaker.
Choose the UE Megaboom 3 if:
- You want a louder Bluetooth speaker.
- You want a longer-lasting battery.
- You deeper and harder bass.
- You don’t mind the bigger size.
- You want a lower frequency range.
