Ultimate Ears releases another affordable, palm-sized wireless speaker

Ultimate Ears' newest offering is another affordable Boom device. The palm-sized Wonderboom is the latest wireless speaker in its line of music gadgets. However, perhaps its biggest advantage is its price. This small device costs US$100 (AU$130).

The Wonderboom is very similar to the company's other offerings. It is 105mm tall by 95mm wide, which means it is almost the same size as a can of soda.

This makes the Wonderboom yet another affordable addition to Ultimate Ears' product line. Its bigger Megaboom device costs US$299 (AU$389) and its Boom 2 costs US$199 (AU$259).

Looks-wise, the newest Boom shares the same Ultimate Ears "branding" with its siblings. It has a pair of rubberised volume buttons that are very visible on the side. However, the Wonderboom has buttons on top of the device that can be used to play, pause and skip tracks.

The device also offers full 360 degrees of sound. Moreover, music fans can also pair two Wonderbooms to generate a "full stereo" effect. This is possible with the device's Bluetooth range of 100 feet. The pairing feature also does not need a compatible smartphone application.

However, this does mean that the Wonderboom cannot be paired with smartphones either. The older Boom 2 model has a compatible app that can be connected to Siri and Google Now.

Accessory-wise, the wireless speaker does not have a headphone jack. It can only be connected via Bluetooth. It also charges using a Micro USB cord instead of the more modern USB-C.

The Wonderboom claims it has 10 hours' worth of battery life. The device also boasts an IPX7 water resistance rating. This means the device can be submerged in a depth of a metre for half an hour without being damaged.

According to the Verge, the Wonderboom is similar to its sibling the Roll when it comes to portability. Both devices can fit the hand, which helps save space when packing. Both devices can float in water and have a small "cord" that allows each to be hanged. The Roll costs US$100 (AU$130).

To compare, other waterproof devices can be more costly. Examples of these include: JBL Charge 3 (US$120 or AU$156), Braven BRV-XXL (US$350 or AU$456), and the Altec Lansing Life Jacket 2 (US$130 or AU$169).

Users can buy the Wonderboom wireless speaker for US$100 (AU$130) on April 2017. It can be purchased in six colours, ranging from neutral colours like grey (Stone) and black (Phantom); and more vibrant colours such as red (Fireball), blue (SubZero), Cashmere, and Lilac (two separate shades of pink). The Boom's Apple Store variant will also have an exclusive blue colour.