UE Boom 3 vs UE Boom 4 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

UE Boom 4 & UE Boom 3 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the UE Boom 4 rather than the UE Boom 3.

Table Of Contents hide

1 Why Do I Recommend The UE Boom 4?

2 Side By Side Comparison

3 What Common Both Can Do?

4 Common Features

Why Do I Recommend The UE Boom 4?

The UE Boom 4 features Bluetooth 5.1 for stronger wireless stability and lower latency in crowded environments, while the UE Boom 3 uses Bluetooth 4.2.
UE Boom 4 comes with a USB-C charging port for faster and more convenient recharging with modern cables, whereas the UE Boom 3 uses a slower Micro-USB port.
It has improved internal acoustic tuning for deeper bass and clearer mids to deliver richer music playback, while the UE Boom 3 has an older sound profile with less low-end presence.
The UE Boom 4 includes reinforced drop resistance to withstand accidental falls of up to roughly 1.5 meters, whereas the UE Boom 3 has only standard rugged protection.
UE Boom 4 supports a refined “Magic Button” with more responsive tactile feedback for easier on-speaker music control, while the UE Boom 3 features the earlier version with less precise response.
It uses a higher percentage of recycled plastics to reduce environmental impact and increase sustainability, whereas the UE Boom 3 relies on conventional materials.
The UE Boom 4 provides slightly lower power consumption for similar 15-hour battery life & more consistent runtime at higher volumes, while the UE Boom 3 consumes more power under heavy use.
UE Boom 4 supports updated PartyUp firmware for more stable multi-speaker connections across newer UE devices, compared to the UE Boom 3’s older PartyUp implementation.

Maybe the UE Boom 3 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the UE Boom 4. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

Check UE Boom 4 Best Price

Check UE Boom 3 Best Price

Side By Side Comparison

Feature	UE Boom 4	UE Boom 3
Bluetooth Version	5.1	4.2
Charging Port	USB-C	Micro-USB
Audio Tuning	Enhanced bass and clarity	Older tuning
Drop Resistance	Improved	Standard
Magic Button Feedback	Refined tactile feel	Original version
Material Composition	Recycled plastics	Conventional materials
Charging Speed	Faster	Slower
Latency Performance	Lower	Higher
Multi-Speaker Firmware	Updated PartyUp	Legacy PartyUp
Voice Assistant Access	Direct via button	Indirect via app
Power Efficiency	More efficient	Less efficient
Environmental Packaging	Eco-optimized	Mixed materials
Wireless Stability	More stable	Less stable
Build Reinforcement	Stronger frame	Standard frame
Color Palette	Newer tones	Older tones
Acoustic Drivers	Retuned drivers	Original drivers
Firmware Update Support	Newer generation	Older generation
Button Layout	Revised alignment	Original layout
App Control	More precise EQ	Basic EQ
Price	Check UE Boom 4 Price	Check UE Boom 3 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

IP67 water resistance: Both speakers can be fully submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes, making them equally reliable for poolside use or sudden rain showers.
Dustproof sealing: Each model is sealed against dust intrusion, so sand or dirt at the beach or campsite will not damage internal components.
360-degree sound: Both deliver omnidirectional audio, allowing consistent sound quality no matter where listeners stand around the speaker.
Wireless Bluetooth streaming: Each connects wirelessly to phones, tablets, or laptops, letting users play music without physical cables.
PartyUp multi-speaker pairing: Both can link with dozens of other UE speakers for synchronized playback, ideal for large gatherings.
Stereo pairing mode: Each supports pairing two units for true left/right stereo separation, enhancing soundstage for music or movies.
“Magic Button” playback control: Both feature a top button that allows play, pause, and skip functions directly on the speaker without reaching for a phone.
15-hour rated battery life: Each model provides an all-day listening experience on a single charge, suitable for long trips or events.
2.5-hour full charge time (approx.): Both can recharge from empty to full in roughly the same time, so downtime between uses is minimal.
Voice assistant integration: Both can trigger a smartphone’s voice assistant through Bluetooth, enabling hands-free control of music or calls.
Custom EQ through UE app: Each supports EQ adjustments via the Ultimate Ears app, letting listeners fine-tune bass, mids, and treble to taste.
Firmware update support: Both receive over-the-air updates through the UE app, ensuring continued compatibility and occasional feature enhancements.
Same cylindrical design: Each maintains the tall, lightweight cylinder form that fits easily in cup holders or backpack pockets.
Shock-resistant rugged build: Both withstand everyday bumps and minor drops, making them suitable for outdoor adventures.
Floatable design: Each speaker is designed to float if dropped in water, preventing accidental sinking in pools or lakes.
Wireless range around 30 m: Both maintain a stable connection at roughly the same distance, providing flexibility in placement during use.
Compatibility with iOS/Android: Both work seamlessly with major mobile operating systems for broad device compatibility.
NFC pairing: Each supports near-field communication pairing for quick and easy connections with compatible phones.
LED battery/connection indicator: Both include a small light to show battery level or Bluetooth pairing status at a glance.
Same height and diameter: Both share nearly identical dimensions, ensuring similar portability and the ability to fit the same accessories or mounts.

Check UE Boom 4 Best Price

Check UE Boom 3 Best Price

Common Features

Feature	UE Boom 4	UE Boom 3
IP67 water resistance	Yes	Yes
Dustproof sealing	Yes	Yes
360-degree sound	Yes	Yes
Wireless Bluetooth streaming	Yes	Yes
PartyUp multi-speaker pairing	Yes	Yes
Stereo pairing mode	Yes	Yes
“Magic Button” playback control	Yes	Yes
15-hour rated battery life	Yes	Yes
2.5-hour full charge time (approx.)	Yes	Yes
Voice assistant integration (via phone)	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ through UE app	Yes	Yes
Firmware update support	Yes	Yes
Same cylindrical design	Yes	Yes
Shock-resistant rugged build	Yes	Yes
Floatable design	Yes	Yes
Wireless range around 30 m	Yes	Yes
Compatibility with iOS/Android	Yes	Yes
NFC pairing	Yes	Yes
LED battery/connection indicator	Yes	Yes
Same height and diameter	Yes	Yes
Price	Check UE Boom 4 Price	Check UE Boom 3 Price

FAQ

Is the UE Boom 4 louder than the UE Boom 3?
The UE Boom 4 delivers a very similar maximum volume to the UE Boom 3, but its sound is tuned for slightly richer bass and cleaner mids rather than raw loudness. In practice, most listeners will not notice a major difference in volume output between the two.

Do both speakers have the same battery life?
Yes, both the UE Boom 4 and UE Boom 3 are rated for about 15 hours of continuous playback on a full charge, depending on volume level and music type.

Can the UE Boom 4 and UE Boom 3 be paired together for stereo sound?
Yes, they can connect through Ultimate Ears’ PartyUp feature, allowing stereo or multi-speaker pairing across these models and other compatible UE speakers.

Are both speakers waterproof?
Both models carry an IP67 rating, which means they can withstand being submerged in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes without damage.

What charging ports do the speakers use?
The UE Boom 3 uses a Micro-USB port, while the UE Boom 4 upgrades to a USB-C port for faster and more convenient charging.

Do they both float in water?
Yes, the cylindrical design and sealed construction allow both speakers to float, making them safe for use at pools or lakes.

Is Bluetooth range the same on both models?
The UE Boom 3 uses Bluetooth 4.2 with an effective range of about 30 meters, while the UE Boom 4’s Bluetooth 5.x provides a similar range with improved connection stability.

Can you use voice assistants with these speakers?
Both can access a smartphone’s built-in voice assistant, such as Siri or Google Assistant, when connected via Bluetooth.

Do both speakers support firmware updates?
Yes, each can receive firmware updates through the Ultimate Ears app, ensuring they stay compatible with new devices and features.

Are the dimensions and weight identical?
The UE Boom 4 and UE Boom 3 share almost identical height, diameter, and weight, so portability and accessory fit remain the same.

Is the sound profile the same?
Both provide 360-degree audio, but the UE Boom 4 has slightly enhanced low-end response and refined tuning for clearer mids and highs compared to the UE Boom 3.

Can both connect to multiple speakers at once?
Yes, both support the PartyUp feature, which lets you connect over 150 compatible UE speakers for a large, synchronized audio setup.

Do they have the same controls?
Each has large plus and minus buttons for volume and a top “Magic Button” to play, pause, or skip tracks directly from the speaker.

Are they compatible with the same app?
Yes, both work with the Ultimate Ears mobile app on iOS and Android, allowing EQ adjustments, pairing, and firmware updates.

Which model is better for outdoor use?
Both are equally rugged and waterproof, but the UE Boom 4’s improved drop resistance and slightly more stable Bluetooth connection make it marginally more dependable for frequent outdoor adventures.