Short answer: the Sonos Roam for better sound quality, the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 for the lower price. The Sonos Roam ranks #72 of 136 medium speakers at $175. The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 ranks #83 at $163, $12 cheaper.
On the Sonos Roam side: Very neutral. IP67 rated at ~1 lb. Watch for: Bass extension isn’t very good.
What the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 gets right: IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. The tradeoff: Not stereo, barely any bass.
Buy the Sonos Roam if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 is rated for 20 hours versus 10 hours for the Sonos Roam.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Roam | Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $175.00 | $163 |
| Ranked | #72 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #83 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | 70Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 95dB | 98dB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 429 g | 2 lbs / 925 g |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 2.4" x 6.6" x 2.4" (62 x 168 x 60 mm) | 3.4" x 8.9" x 3.4" (87 x 225 x 87 mm) |
| App | Sonos S2 App | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) | - |
| Drivers | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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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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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3: $163 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. 20 hour battery life - about double most speakers this size.
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass. 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 2018. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 8.9" x 3.4" (87 x 225 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 98dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 2 lbs / 925 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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