Of course, most people won’t be listening to the Everboom on their desktop computer, so I conducted most of my testing outdoors, where the speaker really shines. I particularly enjoyed its sound from about 10 feet or so away, marked by a thumping impact in the lows and mids and refined clarity in the higher frequencies, with a hint of stereo separation. There’s a pulpy warmth that hits just the right spot when playing energetic percussion, discordant strings, or crisp vocals.
You can crank it up to full volume to fill a large space, even engaging Outdoor mode for a bit more power, though you’ll likely notice some digital compression at maximum volume that can dampen the excitement. The Everboom easily delivers a fuller sound outdoors compared to the smaller Boom 4 and my old JBL Flip 5, as well as the more powerful Beats Pill, which tends to sharpen in the higher registers outdoors.
It’s much harder to tell the difference between the Everboom and the Megaboom 4. After several hours of critical listening, the Everboom revealed a softer touch, with warmer, fuller mid-bass and a bit more power, while the Megaboom is more mid-focused and less refined in the highs. It’s a difference that’s unlikely to make much of an impression, especially when you’re having a few drinks at a barbecue or outdoor gathering.
Photography: Ryan Waniata
Neither speaker can reach into the sub-bass regions with much authority. If you want bigger bass, you’ll probably have to go with larger options like the Epicboom (which I haven’t tested yet) or something even more expensive like the physics-defying Brane X (9/10, WIRED recommends), though the latter doesn’t offer the same kind of go-anywhere, do-anything assurance that the Ultimate Ears does.
What really makes UE’s “Boom” speakers so appealing is their balance of high performance and top-notch durability. Like its cheaper siblings, the Everboom offers a great cocktail of sound, features, and battery life in a frame that looks like it could be thrown into a wood chipper and come out the other end (don’t hesitate). No Then again, so do plenty of options on our list of the best Bluetooth speakers, many of them for less money.
I never found a strong enough argument for Everboom’s higher price, which led me to aim for the tried and true Megaboom 4either JBL Charge 5 If you want a speaker that charges your phone, those on a tighter budget will find similar things in the Boom 4 or JBL Flip 6Unless there is a good sale, that is where I would put my money.