Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 for better sound quality, the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 for the lower price, though neither ranks well in its class. The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 ranks #173 of 179 medium speakers, rated 2.1/5, at $200. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 ranks #177, rated 2.0/5, at $62.99, $137.01 cheaper. 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 case for the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4: A tough waterproof speaker that floats, with USB-C charging, a long battery and PartyUp linking. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: A lot of distortion at higher volumes.
The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 is the longer-running pick. 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 20 for the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 lacks. The catch: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews of the line generally.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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 Megaboom 4 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 | $62.99 |
| Ranked | #173 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #177 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 3.4” x 8.9” (87 x 87 x 225 mm) | 8.6” x 4.2” x 4.6” (218 x 107 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50x50mm full-range + 2x 55x86mm passive radiators | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
| Maximum SPL | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (mounting clip) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | - | 10W |
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