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Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar
Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:28 PM

True Score

83
86
19

Experts

90
13.8k

Consumers

Product Awards

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Customer Favorite

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19

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Expert testers lauded the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 for its exceptional build quality and how loud it could get. They liked its Bluetooth connectivity’s strength but complained about its missing WiFi connectivity and lack of speakerphone functionality. They also lamented its lack of compatibility with voice assistants.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a mid-tier Bluetooth speaker that was first launched in mid-2019. Weighing only 2 pounds, the speaker is relatively easy to carry around, and since it is both water and dust-resistant, it is ideal for outdoor use. The speaker is also capable of stereo output, and with a battery that lasts up to 17.7 hours, the MEGABOOM 3 lasts almost as long as some of the best speakers on the market. In terms of its Bluetooth connectivity, the MEGABOOM 3 has a range of up to 282.2 ft, but it can only be paired with one device at a time. The most popular Bluetooth speakers can handle two or more simultaneous connections, and although the WONDERBOOM 2 does not quite fit into that category, it can still be paired with two devices simultaneously. If you’re interested, check it out in our Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 review.

Consensus

our Verdict

The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 was praised by testers for its outstanding build quality, loud volume, and impressive battery performance. Specialists from Tom’s Guide were happy that the MEGABOOM 3 was dust and water-resistant and liked that its vocals and instrumentals were clear and accurate when streaming videos and listening to music. They were also delighted with its Bluetooth connectivity since the signal strength remained high when the speaker and the connected device were separated through a wall. Experts from Sound Guys also liked that the speaker could be connected with up to 150 other speakers through its companion app, which they also found easy to use during their experiments.

However, testers were disappointed with its lack of WiFi connectivity, missing speakerphone functionality, and lack of support for voice assistants. The Ultimate Ears Megablast is compatible with voice assistants, so check it out in our Ultimate Ears MEGABLAST review. The MEGABOOM 3 also does not have an FM tuner as the Avantree SP850 does. Have a look at it in our Avantree SP850 review.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Great build quality
  • Loud max volume
  • Easy-to-use app
  • Long battery life
  • Decent bass response

Reason to Avoid

  • No WiFi connectivity
  • No speakerphone/voice assistant functionality

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 Specs

Battery Charge Time Battery Charge Time 2.75 hrs
Battery Life Battery Life 20+ hrs
Built In Microphone Built In Microphone No
Charge Time Charge Time 3 hrs
Depth Depth 3.75"
Height Height 8.88"
IPX Rating IPX Rating IP67
Size Size
Smart App Smart App Yes
Speaker Pairing Speaker Pairing Yes
Water Resistant Water Resistant Yes
Wattage Wattage 12W
Width Width 3.75"
Wireless Range Wireless Range 150 ft

All Specs

Test Results

Battery Life (Hours) 19.2333
Volume Output (dB) 89.95
Low End Roll Off (Hz) 93.773
High End Roll Off (Hz) 6,639.818

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    Product Comparison

    Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 Review

    UE Boom 3 Review

    UE Boom 3 Review

    True Score

    83
    NR
    84
    82

    Ranking

    #

    15

    /

    109

    #

    /

    109

    #

    5

    /

    109

    #

    39

    /

    109

    Market Context

    The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a mid-tier Bluetooth speaker that was first launched in mid-2019. Weighing only 2 pounds, the speaker is relatively easy…

    The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a mid-tier Bluetooth speaker that was first launched in mid-2019. Weighing only 2 pounds, the speaker is relatively easy to carry around, and since it is both water and dust-resistant, it is ideal for outdoor use. The speaker is also capable of stereo output, and with a battery that lasts up to 17.7 hours, the MEGABOOM 3 lasts almost as long as some of the best speakers on the market. In terms of its Bluetooth connectivity, the MEGABOOM 3 has a range of up to 282.2 ft, but it can only be paired with one device at a time. The most popular Bluetooth speakers can handle two or more simultaneous connections, and although the WONDERBOOM 2 does not quite fit into that category, it can still be paired with two devices simultaneously. If you’re interested, check it out in our Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 review.

    There is hardly any structural difference between the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 and the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3, so buyers might struggle to differentiate between…

    There is hardly any structural difference between the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 and the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3, so buyers might struggle to differentiate between the two. However, the MEGABOOM 3 offers a more profound bass response and a longer 17.7-hour battery life than the BOOM 3, which only lasts up to 13.7 hours. We’ve covered more about the BOOM 3 in our Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 review.

    The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is capable of a stereo output while the JBL Charge 5 is not, and its 17.7-hour battery life is longer…

    The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is capable of a stereo output while the JBL Charge 5 is not, and its 17.7-hour battery life is longer than the 14.5-hour battery life of the JBL Charge 5. However, the Charge 5 can handle up to two simultaneous connections simultaneously, which the BOOM 3 cannot.

    The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3’s 17.7-hour battery life is much longer than the 12.7-hour battery life of the JBL Xtreme 3. However, the Xtreme 3…

    The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3’s 17.7-hour battery life is much longer than the 12.7-hour battery life of the JBL Xtreme 3. However, the Xtreme 3 can be paired with two devices, but the MEGABOOM 3 cannot.

    Battery Charge Time

    2.75 hrs

    4 hrs

    Battery Life

    20+ hrs

    20+ hrs

    15 hrs

    Built In Microphone

    No

    No

    n/a

    Charge Time

    3 hrs

    4 hrs

    2.5 hrs

    Depth

    3.75"

    3.67"

    Height

    8.88"

    3.76"

    IPX Rating

    IP67

    IP67

    Size

    11.8" (w) x 5.3" (d) x 5.4" (h)

    Dig Deeper

    JBL Charge 5 Review →

    JBL Xtreme 3 Review →

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    Score Card

    E

    Expert Score

    86

    *.75

    We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

    C

    Customer Score

    90

    *.25

    We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

    True Score

    83

    Any product with a True Score above 80 is a Absolutely Fresh

    Expert Scores

    • Rtings
      100.6

      Category Trust Rating

      72
      The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is very good for outdoor use. It comes with an… Read More

      By:

      Britta O’Boyle
    • Sound Guys
      81.17

      Category Trust Rating

      NR
      Again, the highs are a vast improvement from the original Boom, with much more clarity… Read More

      By:

      Unknown
    • DXO Mark
      97

      Category Trust Rating

      68
      “No bottom line found for this product” Read More

      By:

      Unknown
    • PC Mag
      43.6

      Category Trust Rating

      80
      The wireless Ultimate Ears UE Megaboom 3 speaker improves upon its predecessor with a sleeker,… Read More

      By:

      Matt Tate
    • Tom’s Guide
      65.58

      Category Trust Rating

      90
      The UE Megaboom 3 has what you want in a portable Bluetooth speaker: good sound… Read More

      By:

      Parker Hall
    • Trusted Reviews
      45.5

      Category Trust Rating

      90
      Not bigger but definitely better – the Megaboom 3 is probably the best speaker Ultimate… Read More

      By:

      Unknown