Short answer: the Sonos Roam for better sound quality, the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 for the lower price. The Sonos Roam ranks #72 of 136 medium speakers at $175. The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 ranks #89 at $109, $66 cheaper.
The case for the Sonos Roam: Very neutral. IP67 rated at ~1 lb. The catch: Bass extension isn’t very good.
On the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 side: Rich and warm bass without muddying mix, crisp highs, excellent 15-hour battery life, stable Bluetooth connectivity, IP67 rated and floats, rugged fabric shell, can pair up to 150 speakers via PartyUp. Watch for: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble.
Buy the Sonos Roam if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is rated for 15 hours versus 10 hours for the Sonos Roam.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Roam | Ultimate Ears Boom 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $175.00 | $109.00 |
| Ranked | #72 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #89 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | 91Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 95dB | 87dB |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 429 g | 1.3 lbs / 608 g |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 2.4" x 6.6" x 2.4" (62 x 168 x 60 mm) | 7.2" x 2.9" (184 x 73 mm) |
| App | Sonos S2 App | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) | Yes (via app) |
| Drivers | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators | 2x 2" active drivers + 2x 2" x 4" passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| TWS | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sonos Roam: $175.00 Amazon
Pros: Very neutral. IP67 rated at ~1 lb. Wireless (Qi) charging - rare for a portable speaker. Works with Alexa/Sonos Voice Control and the wider Sonos ecosystem over Wi-Fi.
Cons: Bass extension isn’t very good. Not stereo. Gets distorted if you turn up the bass.
Full Sonos Roam review and specifications →
| App | Sonos S2 App |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.4" x 6.6" x 2.4" (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Max Volume | 95dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 429 g |
| Wifi | Yes |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Ultimate Ears Boom 3: $109.00 Amazon
Pros: Rich and warm bass without muddying mix, crisp highs, excellent 15-hour battery life, stable Bluetooth connectivity, IP67 rated and floats, rugged fabric shell, can pair up to 150 speakers via PartyUp
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble. You can tell from the micro USB that they are just feeding you the same crap hardware over and over, this is inexcusable for a product released in 2021. Lots of mentions of failing batteries on amazon. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Ultimate Ears Boom 3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 91Hz |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.2" x 2.9" (184 x 73 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2" active drivers + 2x 2" x 4" passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 87dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 608 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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