If you’re hosting a small get-together or hangout at the park, a small speaker like the UE Wonderboom 4 can provide the soundtrack. It’s the kind of gadget that fades into the background yet remains as important as the food and drink. And right now, it’s down to just $59.99 ($40 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo, which is its lowest price to date.
The Wonderboom 4’s compact design — which is roughly the size of a softball — makes it easy to bring anywhere, whether you’re lounging by the pool or cruising on a bike. One of its handiest features is the built-in loop, which allows you to clip on a carabiner and hook it right to your backpack. That way, you can hike with your friends on the trail and everyone can enjoy your outdoor playlist. Despite its smaller size, the battery life is estimated to last up to 14 hours, so you won’t have to worry about charging it if you’re away from an outlet all day.
In addition to all-day battery life, the compact USB-C speaker features an IP67 rating, so it should be able to withstand dust, dirt, and water. And if you’re clumsy like me, you’ll be happy to know that the speaker is built to endure drops (it even floats). It can also easily connect to Android devices thanks to Google’s Fast Pair feature, and you can link two units to create stereo sound, giving you a richer, more immersive listening experience.
A few Verge staffers own the Wonderboom 4 and recommend it for its combination of size, sound, and price. We’re generally fans of Ultimate Ears’ catalog of wireless speakers, which offer decent audio performance, are very durable, and, of course, are easy to transport. The Wonderboom 4 comes in a variety of colors — many of which are on sale — but if you’re on the fence for what to get, The Verge’s David Pierce recommends the blue.
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