Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3. It ranks #108 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.0/5) at $191.99 and is still sold new; the Soundcore Flare 2 ranks #134 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Soundcore Flare 2. Watch for: Not stereo, barely any bass.
The Soundcore Flare 2 is the deeper-bass, lighter choice. Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 10dB, against 70Hz for the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3. At 1.3 lbs (600 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 at 2 lbs (925 g). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3. The tradeoff: Rolled off treble.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Soundcore Flare 2 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 | Soundcore Flare 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $191.99 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #108 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | Pointing up |
| Weight | 2 lbs (925 g) | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 8.9” x 3.4” (87 x 225 x 87 mm) | 3.5” x 3.5” x 6.3” (89 x 89 x 160 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes (UE | BOOM app) | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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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
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3: $191.99 Amazon $191.99 eBay
Newer model: the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4, ranked lower, rated 2.1/5, released Jun 2024. See every Ultimate Ears Wonderboom, Boom and Megaboom generation.
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. 20 hour battery life: about double most speakers this size. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| Released | Sep 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (UE | BOOM app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| 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 |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2 lbs (925 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5” x 3.5” x 6.3” (89 x 89 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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