Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4, if you are buying new, though neither ranks well in its class. The Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranks higher than it (#155 vs #170 of 175 medium speakers, 2.3/5 vs 2.1/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 is still sold new at $200. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 175 medium speakers, and the EarFun Uboom L, ranked #2 at $49.79, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The Harman Kardon Esquire 2 is the lighter pick. Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. At 0.8 lbs (350 g) it weighs much less than the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 at 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 lacks. The tradeoff: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume.
The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 is the longer-running, tougher pick. IP67 rated, floats, and finally uses USB-C charging. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2. It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 lacks. Watch for: A lot of distortion at higher volumes.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4, since the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 Discontinued | $200 |
| Ranked | #155 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #170 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 5.1” x 1.3” (190 x 130 x 34 mm) | 3.4” x 3.4” x 8.9” (87 x 87 x 225 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers | 2x 50x50mm full-range + 2x 55x86mm passive radiators |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Amplifier Power | 16W | - |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (0.35 kg) | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (via app) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Strap | - | Yes (built-in loop) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Flat, compact design packs easily. USB charge-out for topping off a phone.
Cons: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire 2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 5.1” x 1.3” (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (0.35 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4: $200 Amazon $200 eBay
Older model: the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 (ranked higher, rated 3/5). See every Ultimate Ears Wonderboom, Boom and Megaboom generation.
Same family: the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 (smaller model, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5) and the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 (smaller model, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and finally uses USB-C charging. 20 hour battery life. ‘PartyUp’ feature syncs multiple UE speakers together.
Cons: A lot of distortion at higher volumes. Rolled off treble. Not very loud. They really screwed this up
Full Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 3.4” x 8.9” (87 x 87 x 225 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50x50mm full-range + 2x 55x86mm passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 4 vs Sony ULT Field 1 😧 $200 vs $128 Cylinder Bluetooth Speaker Matchup More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 4 vs W-King D320 🔋Does Paying More Get You Less? 😧
- Smart Home Sounds: UE Everboom Review PLUS All-New Wonderboom 4, Boom 4 & Megaboom 4 More from Smart Home Sounds →
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