Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Party. It ranks #20 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $149.99. The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 ranks #113, rated 2.9/5, at $132.99, $17 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Xiaomi Sound Party is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle. Its bass reaches about 54Hz before falling 10dB, against 91Hz for the Ultimate Ears Boom 3. It is rated for 26 hours of battery against 15 for the Ultimate Ears Boom 3. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing.
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is the lighter choice. A rugged waterproof speaker that floats, with a fabric shell, a stable Bluetooth connection and PartyUp linking for many speakers. At 1.3 lbs (608 g) it weighs much less than the Xiaomi Sound Party at 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Xiaomi Sound Party. The catch: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $17 with the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle.
A rugged waterproof speaker that floats, with a fabric shell, a stable Bluetooth connection and PartyUp linking for many speakers.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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
| Xiaomi Sound Party | Ultimate Ears Boom 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $132.99 |
| Ranked | #20 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #113 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Ultimate Ears BOOM & MEGABOOM app) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 91Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) | 7.2” x 2.9” (184 x 73 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters | 2x 2” active drivers + 2x 2” x 4” passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 87dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) | 1.3 lbs (608 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | - |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) | Micro USB |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (built-in loop) |
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