If you are in a hurry! here is a quick comparison of Ultimate Ears boom 3 and boom 2.
| Model | UE Boom 3 | UE Boom 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions |
7.2 x 2.8 inches |
7.0 x 2.6 inches |
| Weight |
1.34 lbs |
1.2 lbs |
| Wireless pairing |
Ultimate Ears (UE) |
Ultimate Ears (UE) |
| Water resistance |
IP67 |
IPX7 |
| Frequency range |
90Hz – 20kHz |
90Hz – 20kHz |
| Charging Time |
2.75h |
3.4h |
| USB Port |
Micro USB |
Micro USB |
| Battery Life |
Around 15 hours |
Around 15 hours |
| Drivers |
2 |
2 |
| Bluetooth |
Bluetooth 4.1 |
Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Rating | ||
| Price |
Ultimate Ears (UE) is probably the fastest-growing Bluetooth manufacturer in the world, and there is a good reason for that. They have a wide range of models, all with their signature design with oversized two-tone plus and minus signs.
When it comes to audio and build quality, you cannot expect anything less than perfection.
The same goes for their mid-sized models, the Boom, which are very popular among consumers. However, it is time to compare Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs 2 and find out which is better.
About Ultimate Ears
Ultimate Ears is an American based company that produces high-quality speakers and earphones. A decade ago, it was acquired by Logitech, and now it operates as a subsidiary.
When it comes to Bluetooth speakers, they are mostly known about their characteristics design and high audio and built quality.
Even though some people have never heard about Ultimate Ears, their popularity continues to increase over time, and now they can rival even the biggest audio manufacturers in the world.
UE Boom 3
UE Boom 3 is a Bluetooth speaker that took the world by storm. If you want to buy a mid-sized Bluetooth speaker, UE Boom 3 is one of the contenders.
It is a relatively small Bluetooth speaker that looks outstanding. Basically, it is the most you can get out of a Bluetooth speaker for that price range.
They were working hard on increasing the built quality and adding other features like wireless charging and IP67 certificate, making it waterproof. Given its size, this speaker is very loud. Plus, with its 360-degree sound delivery, it is the perfect accessory for your home.
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Pros
- Outstanding design
- Built from high-quality materials
- IP67 Certificate (waterproof and dustproof)
- Wireless charging
- Syng mode with up to 150 UE Bluetooth speakers
Cons
- Wireless charging comes as an additional cost
- Sound quality is not phenomenal
UE Boom 2
The UE Boom 2 had become an instant hit from day one. This was the Bluetooth speaker that went through a lot of changes compared to its predecessor.
It is a compact and durable Bluetooth speaker that sounds much louder than the previous version. Plus, they’ve improved the overall quality by making it stain and shock resistant, plus it was the first version in their Boom series that is fully waterproof.
Even though it was released back in 2015, it is still a good Bluetooth speaker, and it begs the question, should you upgrade to their latest UE Boom 3.
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Pros
- Good value for money
- 15 hours of playtime
- Available in different colors
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Small Bluetooth range
- Less durable than the Boom 3
Face to Face
Which is Better UE Boom 2 or Boom 3?
To find out which is better UE Boom 2 or Boom 3, we have to compare their characteristics.
Design
Design-wise they both look similar. The latest Boom 3 is a bit bigger, but not by a noticeable difference. The Boom 2 is 7 x 2.6 inches, and the newest Boom 3 comes at 7.2 x 2.8 inches and a bit heavier.
This makes the Boom 3 slightly less portable, but it is still a small enough Bluetooth speaker to fit in your bag.
One of the more noticeable design changes was removing the carrying loop that was on the predecessor. The loop isn’t that useful when it comes to carrying a mid-sized Bluetooth speaker. Plus, they’ve removed the loop to make space for the charging dock.
The Boom 3 looks absolutely stunning. They’ve removed the soft-touch rubber from the front side of the Boom 2 and covered the entire speaker with fabric. Despite this change, the Boom 3 is even more durable than its predecessor.
The Boom 2 is water-resistant with IPX7 certificate, which is great, but the Boom 3 comes rated with IP67 making it waterproof and dustproof. Plus, the Boom 3 can now float on water, which lowers the risk of water damage if it is submerged more than 1 meter.
Winner: Boom 3
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Sound Quality
Since we are talking about mid-sized and reasonably priced Bluetooth speakers, you cannot expect top-of-the-range sound quality. Let’s get one thing straight; both speakers sound great and are good enough to fill an entire room with rich sound.
However, Boom 3 sounds cleaner and more precise. Couple that with the fact that it is slightly louder, and we have an obvious winner in the sound comparison.
Both speakers come with adjustable EQ settings through the UE App. You can choose from four presets or add a custom option. The EQ settings are the same, but Boom 3 can reach lower sounds and has a deeper bass.
They both have the same frequency range from 90Hz – 20kHz, but Boom 3 has slightly bigger drivers. The Boom 2 has two 1.75 inch drivers and two 1.75 x 3 inches passive radiators. On the other hand, Boom 3 has two 2 inch drivers and 2 x 4 inches passive radiators, which explains why it is louder.
Winner: Boom 3
Connectivity
One of the most important things when it comes to your Bluetooth speaker is a stable connection. The Boom 2 faced connectivity issues, which is why Ultimate Ears decided to address the problem.
The previous version has a Bluetooth range of 100 feet, but in the real world, it struggles to get past 50 feet. On the other hand, Boom 3 has a steady signal for up to 150 feet.
Another significant change in Boom 3 is the removal of the AUX port. The Boom 2 has an AUX-in port, but UE decided to get rid of this feature. This is not a significant drawback to Boom 3 since almost all devices now have Bluetooth.
Also, you can forget about wired charging with the Boom 3 since it comes with an optional extra charging dock. So, now you can place the Bluetooth speaker on the charging dock and always have a full battery when you want to take it with you.
Ultimate Ears also decided to remove NFC pairing on their latest Boom 3. With the previous Boom 2, you could quickly establish wireless communication by touching devices together.
Winner: Boom 3
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Battery Life
Since Boom 2 had a decent battery life of 15 hours, nothing is changed with the Boom 3.
When it comes to charging times, the Boom 3 will charge for 2.75h, whereas the Boom 2 charges for 3.4 hours until full.
Winner: Tie
What Is The Difference Between UE Boom 2 and Boom 3?
Magic Button
Ultimate Ears has a feature called magic button that allows you to play/pause or skip songs. In the previous version, this magic button was placed on the top of the speaker, and it was a weird system that required hitting the top of the speaker with an open palm.
However, with the latest Boom 3, there is a proper button on top of the speaker, and you can customize it through the UE app to open a particular playlist or start Apple Music.
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Floating
Floating is often an overlooked feature, but it is very useful, especially if you plan to use your Bluetooth speaker near water. The previous Boom 2 had an IPX7 certificate, which means that it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
However, if you go below 1 meter, the water pressure can damage your speaker. To address this issue, UE has made adjustments to its latest model, the Boom 3, so it floats. Now you can use your Bluetooth speaker near deeper water without worrying if you accidentally drop it.
Speakerphone
People who use voice commands or like to answer calls while connected to their Bluetooth speaker should go with the previous Boom 2 since it has a speakerphone.
This is a handy feature that we don’t understand why UE decided to remove it on their latest Boom 3 model.
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Stereo Speakers
Even though both Bluetooth speakers have the same number of drivers, the Boom 3 has stereo speakers, whereas the Boom 2 both speakers play the same audio. This doesn’t make a massive difference since it is hard to tell which speaker is active at the moment.
Verdict
Choose the UE Boom 2 if:
- You want a less expensive Bluetooth speaker.
- You want a speakerphone.
- You want a smaller Bluetooth speaker.
- You want Bluetooth NFC pairing.
Choose the UE Boom 3 if:
- You want less charging time.
- You want a louder and sharper sounding Bluetooth speaker.
- You want more Bluetooth range.
- You want wireless charging.
Obviously, the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is a better Bluetooth speaker than its predecessor. It all comes down to what you need. If you already have the Boom 2, you should not upgrade to their newer version since there is a significant difference.
However, if you are buying your first Bluetooth speaker, Boom 3 is definitely the way to go.
