Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used, though neither ranks well in its class. Used, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom is the better pick: it ranks #112 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 2.9/5), against #155 (rated 2.3/5) for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2. If you want one new, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 replaces the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom and is rated 2.9/5 at $74.50. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 175 medium speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the EarFun Uboom L instead, ranked #2 at $49.79.
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom is the better-sounding, tougher option. IP67 rated and floats. It is rated IPX7 against IPX4 for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2. Watch for: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble.
What the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 does well: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom lacks. The catch: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4, which replaces the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Wonderboom | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79 Discontinued | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #112 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #155 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (425 g) | 0.8 lbs (0.35 kg) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Drivers | 2x 1.6” active drivers + 2x 1.8” x 2.6” passive radiators | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 4” x 3.7” (102 x 93.5 mm) | 7.5” x 5.1” x 1.3” (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.1 |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 16W |
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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 Wonderboom: $79 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5, released Jun 2024. See every Ultimate Ears Wonderboom, Boom and Megaboom generation.
Pros: IP67 rated and floats. Compact, light, and simple to use.
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble. Dip at 9kHz. Low mid bass distortion. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued.
Full Ultimate Ears Wonderboom review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2017 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4” x 3.7” (102 x 93.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.6” active drivers + 2x 1.8” x 2.6” passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (425 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Klipsch Groove
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom vs LG Xboom Grab
- See all 74 comparisons
Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Flat, compact design packs easily. USB charge-out for topping off a phone.
Cons: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire 2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 5.1” x 1.3” (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (0.35 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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