Smart powerhouse
The Ultimate Ears Megablast is the largest and loudest speaker available from the company. It features Wi-Fi connectivity and Alexa integration, as well as excellent sound, a gorgeous design, and IP67 water resistance for superb portability.
Pros
- Amazon Alexa integration
- Powerful bass
- Customizable EQ (Boom app)
- 16-hour battery life
- Water-resistant (IP67)
Cons
- No Party Up mode
- No Google Assistant or Siri integration
Silver medal
While the Megaboom 3 isn't a huge step up from the smaller Boom 3, it does offer more powerful bass, longer battery life, and is only a small step down from the Megablast
Pros
- Party Up — connect to over 150 Boom and Megaboom speakers
- 20-hour battery life
- Well-balanced sound
- IP67 water resistance
- Customizable EQ (Boom app)
Cons
- No Wi-Fi/Alexa integration
- No 3.5mm jack
Two powerful Bluetooth speakers
The Megablast and Megaboom 3 are the two most powerful speakers Ultimate Ears offers. They each feature excellent bass, and are both totally portable. It's in the finer details and Wi-Fi capabilities that they differ.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Megablast | Megaboom 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 16 hours | 20 hours |
| Pairs with | 8 other Megablast or Blast | 150+ Boom and Megaboom speakers |
| Wi-Fi/Alexa | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth range | 45 meters | 45 meters |
| Water resistance | IP67 | IP67 |
| Number of color options | 4 | 4 |
| Frequency range | 60Hz - 20kHz | 60Hz - 20kHz |
The one major difference between these two speakers is Wi-Fi: the Megablast can be controlled using Amazon's Alexa assistant, and the Megaboom 3 cannot. It's as simple as that. The Megablast does get marginally louder than the Megaboom 3, and it does have slightly better bass, but at the realistic volume most people will be listening to these speakers, they'll sound quite similar.
In terms of water resistance, both speakers get an IP67, which means they're completely protected from dust ingression (6) and can survive submersion in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. In this respect, they're both perfect for listening to tunes by the pool, on a hike (even in the rain), at the campsite, or wherever you listening habits take you.
There is no clear winner. You either want Alexa functionality or you don't.
In the end, there is no clear winner as to which you should buy. You should base your choice on whether or not you value you using your Bluetooth speaker as, essentially, an Amazon Echo device. If you have smart home devices to control, use Alexa, and want better sound than many of the Echo speakers, buy the Megablast.
If you're simply looking for a portable, water-resistant, excellent-sounding Bluetooth speaker, and you need none of the Wi-Fi functionality, then buy the Megaboom 3.
All that said, you can get the Megablast on Amazon for as little as $140-ish sometimes, and you might as well jump on that deal and get the best of both worlds.
Massive sound and Wi-Fi control to boot
The Megablast may have a large price tag to start, but its great sound and Alexa integration are worth it. Plus, you can often get it for less than the Megaboom 3 anyway.
It's hard to do better for Bluetooth speakers
The Megaboom 3 is the best of Ultimate Ears' Boom line, and its sound even rivals the Megablast's. If you don't need or want Wi-Fi control, this is the perfect pick.
