Earfun UBoom X review: two-minute review
If you’re on the hunt for an affordable, bass-heavy party speaker the Earfun UBoom X might be your perfect match. This mini boombox sets out to deliver one thing above all – powerful, ground-shaking low frequency sound. Thankfully it achieves this without any difficulty.
Here’s the thing, though: the Earfun UBoom X isn’t a beautiful-sounding all-rounder for the audiophiles out there. It doesn’t offer massively detailed sound or the sharpest quality across the frequencies and steers clear of offering fancy audio codecs like aptX or LDAC. But again, this isn’t really too much of a miss given its party-ready profile. On top of that, sound is actually pretty customizable – just download the Earfun Audio app and you can select from a giant cohort of EQ options, including genre-specific, environment-optimized and custom options.
Some of these, such as Outdoor+, BOOM xxX and Ground 0 really lean into the strengths of the speaker’s bass. However, if you prefer a more neutral sound, there are options like Studio, which was crafted by audio expert and multi-time Earfun collaborator Oluv’Sone.
With meaty bass comes plenty of weight too. Yes, this is a pretty heavy creature and so the option to carry it via a handle for short distances or the included strap for longer ones is most welcome. And that’s part of a wider theme with the UBoom X – it’s a very practical speaker. Whether we’re talking about its IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating or its ability to double up as a power bank, you’ll find plenty of utility here. Sure, looks-wise it may not be as pretty as some of the best Bluetooth speakers, but you do still get LED lights that are decently fun and customizable and can be turned off if you’d prefer.
Another attractive aspect of the UBoom X is its excellent battery life. You get around 30 hours of playtime here, which stands up against some top competitors in the party speaker space, like the Tribit Stormbox Blast, for instance. Features-wise, you also get a relatively generous amount to play with, including the aforementioned EQ settings, video mode (for low latency), voice assistant compatibility and LED light calibration.
So, for a deep bass floor, top battery life and healthy portion of features, you’d expect to pay up a fair amount. However, Earfun are already offering the UBoom X on discount – it’s widely available for as little as $159.99 / £149.99 (about AU$240), which is impeccable value.
Overall, the Earfun UBoom X is a speaker worth your while, but only if you’re a certain type of listener. If you’re someone that wants a more balanced, intricately detailed and crisp sound, you may prefer a Bluetooth speaker like the JBL Xtreme 4, which also launched in 2024. However, if you’re someone that’s all about bass-heavy bangers, loves to throw house parties or wants enough low-end power for noisy outdoor events, this is a strong pick. With waterproofing, a sturdy build and a tempting low-price, the Earfun UBoom X is a very solid boombox-style speaker and one that can compete competently against even some of the best party speakers.
Earfun UBoom X review: price and release date
- List price of $189.99 / £189.99 (around AU$280)
- Launched on October 2024
- Already discounted despite recent release
The Earfun UBoom X is available at a pretty modest price for a Bluetooth speaker of its size. I mean, it launched with a list price of $189.99 / £189.99 (around AU$280), but it’s (perhaps cheekily) already available for considerably less. When I checked both the Earfun website and Amazon, I spotted the UBoom X listed for $159.99 / £149.99, so don’t spend any more than this if you decide to snap it up.
This is a very new Bluetooth speaker, having only launched on 8 October 2024 in the US and UK. Perhaps unfortunately, though, the UBoom X released with just one color variant, a plain yet classic Black.
Earfun UBoom X review: specs
Earfun UBoom X review: features
- Excellent 30-hour battery life
- Awesome EQ settings
- Easy-to-use companion app
The Earfun UBoom X may not have an exhaustively long feature-set, but it still has all the key inclusions you’d expect from a party-ready Bluetooth speaker.
First things first, you’re getting a simple and decently well-equipped Earfun Audio companion app that is free to download. The star of the show here is EQ adjustment – there are a ton of presets available, but you can also customize your own sound or tweak existing options. The core Earfun EQ options are very solid and I often found myself switching to Electronic for deep bass with bright treble or Hit for percussion-heavy tracks. In addition, you get a unique section of EQ options from audio specialist Oluv’Sone, including some truly earth-shaking options like BOOM xxX and Ground 0.
There’s not a load more to play with in the app. You can activate video mode, which reduces audio latency, adjust voice volume or consult the user manual. But the main attraction outside of EQ is adjustable light settings. Although you can adjust the inbuilt LED lighting on the speaker itself, being able to switch things up remotely is super convenient, especially if you’re in a dark room / outdoor space. You can select between rhythmic flashing and a constant display or just switch the lights off entirely, but you can also adjust the color to your liking (or stick to the default multicolor option).
Beyond app functionality, you also get Party Mode, which enables you to connect up to 50 UBoom X speakers at once. If any of you out there are planning to pair 50 of these, I fear you could cause tremors to spread across the land – honestly, this will give you some incredible low-end power – ideal if you’re hosting an outdoor event. One multi-device feature that I was hoping to see was multi-point. This enables you to connect two (or more) devices to a Bluetooth speaker at once – ideal if you’re sharing DJ responsibilities with a friend. Unfortunately, this was missing, but if you’re using Spotify to play music, you can always just use the Jam function instead of connecting two devices separately.
Finally, it's worth noting some features that make the UBoom X an ultra-practical Bluetooth speaker. First of all, it has an inbuilt microphone, meaning you can take hands-free calls and also harness the power of both Google assist and Apple’s Siri voice assistant. Secondly, the UBoom X can double up as a power bank, thanks to its USB-C out port, which can be a lifesaver if your phone is on its last legs when you’re out and about. And there’s plenty of power to go around. This speaker boasts up to 30 hours of playtime – that’s truly exceptional and means you’ll rarely have to charge it.
- Features score: 4/5
Earfun UBoom X review: sound quality
- Almighty bass output
- Decent but not particularly detailed audio performance
- Pretty loud thanks to total 80W output
OK reader, let’s get something straight before we dive into sound quality. This is, at its core, a party speaker. So what am I looking for? Booming bass that can cut through background noise or outdoor distractions, high potential volume and relatively clear overall audio quality. And luckily, the Earfun UBoom X has all three of these.
And given that this chunky lad has ‘Boom’ in its name let’s start with bass. Just as you’d hope, this thing goes really hard on the low-end – even when using the default EQ mode I was struck by meaty bass with impressive depth. When I tuned into I Want You by Moloko I instantly found my head bopping to the pumping, room-filling bass and when switching to BOOM xxX mode, our testing space was almost shaking from the pure power on display. Sure, the breathiness of vocals in the intro wasn’t recreated in the most natural-sounding or authentic manner, but this wasn’t a huge concern for me given the UBoom X’s party speaker profile.
The Earfun UBoom X speaker is undoubtedly inclined to lean heavily on bass straight out of the box, which is perfect if you’re into house, drum and bass or any genres that emphasize low frequency sounds above all. For instance, when listening to Da Fonk (feat. Joni) by Mochakk – an energetic house track – the UBoom X was truly in its element, with hard-hitting, intoxicating bass hits, which were astonishingly powerful in Ground 0 mode. OK, some of the vocal chops didn’t cut through as clearly as you’d expect from a more balanced (and expensive) party speaker like the JBL Xtreme 4, but they weren’t muddied too badly at all. And this ground-shaking bass output isn’t just pleasing sonically; it's very practical for a portable boombox like this, especially if you’re hosting outdoor events or visiting places with lots of background noise, like the beach.
Let’s say, though, just for the sake of it, you’d like to tone bass levels down a bit for a more balanced sound. Well, you’re in luck. You can select the Studio EQ option from the Earfun app – this is more neutral-sounding, albeit quieter. I tried listening to The Ripple Effect podcast from James Lawrence Alcott in this mode and found vocals to be clear, even at high volumes.
Audio isn’t always particularly detailed, however. For instance, when listening to You Can Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac, harmonies in the chorus sounded slightly narrow and restricted. At times, mid range sounds were slightly overpowered by low-frequency ones too. I also found when tuning into Holy Holy by Geordie Greep (using default EQ settings) that the theatrical strings, smooth bass, dancing keys and choppy electric guitar – although all audible – lacked the levels of instrumental separation that I’d like. One more critique on sound (sorry Earfun) – treble can be quite bright with the UBoom X, but it’s not always ultra-crisp. For instance, in Rains again by Solji the intermittent downpour sound effects were a tad staticky, but again, for a boombox-style speaker, this won’t be grating for most listeners.
I did, however, encounter one more slight audio-related issue during the testing process. On a number of occasions, I would turn the volume up or down on my phone while connected to the speaker via Bluetooth, and sound would cut out for a split second. Earfun assured me that this is not a common issue, but that it should be fixed via an in-app firmware update around the end of October 2024.
Overall, though, the UBoom X completes what it sets out to do very nicely. OK, it’s not going to blow the socks off audiophiles with super-detailed sound, there’s no fancy codecs like LDAC or similar and bass may be a little heavy-handed for some. But for an out-and-out party speaker at this price-point, I think this has a great sound profile with respectable loudness, thanks to an 80W maximum power output. Just don’t expect prime sonic clarity, especially as you edge closer to 100% volume.
- Sound quality score: 4/5
Earfun UBoom X review: design
- Doesn’t look the most high-quality
- Fairly low-key light show
- IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating
The Earfun UBoom X delivers exactly what you’d expect from a larger Bluetooth speaker. It dons a mini-boombox look with a blocky, solid build and wide carry handle. It definitely pulls off the boombox aesthetic well, but it does admittedly lack a splash of character. For instance, there are no color options here – it’s black or nothing – which is fine, but I’d prefer some more vibrant alternatives. The bass radiators on the side of the speaker are also a bit plain and don’t have the most visually satisfying vibration effect, leaving this speaker looking slightly flat in the looks department.
On that point, this isn’t a premium product so you shouldn’t expect stunning build quality, but I couldn’t help but feel that the UBoom X is a tad cheap-looking. The outer casing is pretty plasticky and the black speaker grille doesn’t look or feel very hardy. This isn’t too much of a problem given that this is available for less than £200 / $200, but if you want a super-stylish speaker it may be worth looking elsewhere.
Something I did personally like about the UBoom X’s design, though, is its LED lights. These are bright and eye-catching, but don’t venture into the tacky or overbearing territory that so many competitors fall victim of. We’ve not always been a fan of in-your-face lighting on party speakers like the Tribit Stormbox Blast, but the UBoom X never oversteps with its two circular LEDs. It’s worth noting that these only shine through the front of the speaker grille too, so if you’re someone that wants something ultra-flashy, this might not be your best option.
Something that is indisputably brilliant about this Bluetooth speaker, though, is its IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating. This means that the speaker can survive being submerged under a meter of water for up to 30 minutes. It’s also floatable, meaning you can take it in the sea or pool with you without fear of a disastrous malfunction. Another practical inclusion is metal hooks on top of the speaker. There’s a strap included with the UBoom X so that you can carry it around – a neat touch given that this thing is a heavy beast. Yep, it weighs in at 9.2lbs / 4.2kg and that’s quite hefty, so the option to sling it over your shoulder adds a lot of portability points.
One final highlight is the speaker’s simplistic yet effective layout. For instance, the button controls are all well-sized and it’s clear what function they provide. There’s also a rubber tab on the reverse side that can be undone to access the AUX port and access the USB-C input or output ports. So, although this may not be the sleekest boombox imaginable, it still offers more than enough convenience as well as protection against the elements – for a party speaker, that’s what matters most.
- Design score: 4/5
Earfun UBoom X review: value
- Won’t set you back too much at all
- Great bass output against similarly priced competitors
- Buying multiple may be worth it
When it comes to value, the Earfun UBoom X performs very nicely. I think it’s clear – you can’t expect astonishing overall audio from this thing. In fact, there’ll be a lot of other boombox style speakers around that can boast even better low-end output. But if you want a cheap, bass-heavy Bluetooth speaker, the UBoom X is a textbook compromise between price and performance.
This speaker is already available for around $159.99 / £149.99 (about AU$240), which isn’t much at all for a larger portable speaker like this. That’s even less than the likes of the Tribit Stormbox Blast, a similarly sized party speaker. Brands like JBL can charge double or more than this for their boombox speaker, meaning you may even prefer to grab two UBoom Xs and harness the power of Party Mode. Given the 30 hour battery life and highly customizable sound here, the UBoom X is a great value option for your next Bluetooth speaker.
- Value score: 4.5/5
Should I buy the Earfun UBoom X?
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
Earfun UBoom X review: also consider
Earfun UBoom X review: how I tested
- Spent hours listening to music, podcasts and video
- Primarily used in music testing space, future Labs
- Predominantly tested using Tidal on Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
I spent hours listening to the Earfun UBoom X in our music testing space at future Labs. During my time with the UBoom X, I played tons of tracks from my personal music library, but also tuned into the TechRadar testing playlist, which I always use to pick apart performance across a variety of genres and frequency ranges. When listening to music, I connected to the speaker with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and primarily listened via Tidal.
This wasn’t all though: I also listened to a podcast on Spotify and watched video content on YouTube in order to assess quality across different platforms and mediums. When appropriate, I used the JBL Xtreme 4 to compare audio quality, design choices and usability.
- First reviewed: October 2024
- Read more about how we test
