Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Boom 4, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #113 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 2.9/5, at $114.99. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 ranks #177, rated 2.0/5, at $62.99, $52 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 179 medium speakers; for better sound, the EarFun Uboom L ranks #2 at $49.79.
The Ultimate Ears Boom 4 is the better-sounding, lighter pick. A tough waterproof speaker that floats, with USB-C charging, app EQ and pairing with other UE speakers. At 1.4 lbs (620 g) it weighs much less than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 at 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Not much improvement over the old ones.
The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 is the longer-running choice. A nearly indestructible waterproof speaker that doubles as a power bank, with a clip for bikes, kayaks or backpacks. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 15 for the Ultimate Ears Boom 4. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 lacks. Watch for: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews of the line generally.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Boom 4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $52 you would save on the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Boom 4 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.99 | $62.99 |
| Ranked | #113 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #177 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (620 g) | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Dimensions | 7.2” x 2.9” x 2.9” (184 x 73 x 73 mm) | 8.6” x 4.2” x 4.6” (218 x 107 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.57” (40mm) active drivers + 2x 1.81” x 2.57” (46.1 x 65.2mm) passive radiators | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 85dBC (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (mounting clip) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 10W |
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