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The short answer
Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker wins this comparison. Choose it if sound quality comes first. Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker has the higher sound-quality rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 8.4/10 versus 4.8/10.
Bose
Stereo sound, a rope carry handle and phone charging make this a practical backyard speaker. It offers up to 20 hours of playtime, with 4.7 lb to carry.
Bettr Score
91.6/100
Ultimate Ears
A small poolside speaker that floats, with 360° playback and up to 14 hours of battery life. Outdoor Boost and Podcast Mode cover music outside and spoken audio.
Bettr Score
63.8/100
| Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker | Specification | Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 |
|---|---|---|
$399 | Reference price | $99.99 ✓ Winner |
20 hours ✓ Winner | Advertised battery life | 14 hours |
4.7 lb | Weight | 14.82 oz ✓ Winner |
IP67 | Ingress protectionTie | IP67 |
4 | Durability tierTie | 4 |
5.3 | Bluetooth versionPersonal preference | 5.2 |
Yes ✓ Winner | Can charge another device | No |
No | USB audio inputTie | No |
No | Auracast or compatible broadcast pairingTie | No |
No | Floats in water | Yes ✓ Winner |
No | SpeakerphoneTie | No |
The buying advice
Choose Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker if sound quality comes first. Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker has the higher sound-quality rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 8.4/10 versus 4.8/10.
Choose Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 if easy carrying matters most. Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 has the higher portability rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 8/10 versus 5.5/10. Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 weighs 14.82 oz versus 4.7 lb — 3.77 lb less to carry.
Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker has the higher sound-quality rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 8.4/10 versus 4.8/10. Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 has the higher portability rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 8/10 versus 5.5/10. The recorded reference-price difference is $299.01.
Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker has the higher sound-quality rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 8.4/10 versus 4.8/10.
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 has the higher portability rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 8/10 versus 5.5/10.
Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker has the higher volume rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 8.3/10 versus 3.8/10.
Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker has the higher battery-endurance rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 7.5/10 versus 5.6/10.
People's Pick
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eBay — New
In stock · checked Oct 30, 2026
Price needs rechecking. Confirm at the retailer.
$315.00
Item price · shipping unknown
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eBay — New
In stock · checked Oct 30, 2026
Price needs rechecking. Confirm at the retailer.
$58.49
Item + shipping · before tax
$58.49 + $0.00 shipping
We may earn a commission when you buy through links marked “Affiliate link.” This does not change your price or our scores. How we earn
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