Ultimate Ears Miniroll review: A highly portable speaker that delivers excellent sound quality.

      Ultimate Ears MiniRoll

      MSRP: $80.00

      "On a pure sound-for-size basis, it doesn't get much better than the UE Miniroll."

      Pros

      - Outstanding sound quality for its size

      - Durable, waterproof, and designed for travel

      - Expandable using PartyUp (Auracast)

      - Thoughtful, flexible silicone strap

      - Lightweight and convenient to carry

      Cons

      - Does not include a true wrist strap

      - Cannot be used for stereo pairing

      - Lacks an app for EQ adjustments

      When searching for portable Bluetooth speakers priced under $100, trade-offs are inevitable. You want a device small and light enough to fit into a bag, yet powerful enough to avoid sounding like your phone in a tin can. The Ultimate Ears Miniroll, the company's latest ultra-portable speaker, achieves this balance effectively, presented in a uniquely fun shape.

      Having tested the Miniroll intermittently over the past few months, I’ve been thoroughly impressed by its adaptability and, crucially, its audio performance. Don’t let its compact size and playful appearance deceive you—this speaker delivers a surprisingly loud and rich sound.

      Design

      At a mere 9.77 ounces, the Miniroll is exceptionally lightweight. Toss it into a backpack, and you likely won't even notice it’s there. With a diameter of 4.5 inches and a thickness of approximately 1.75 inches, it could even fit into the back pocket of my jeans. While it may not be the tiniest speaker available, it is sufficiently compact. It comes in four color options: black, pink, grey, or blue.

      Why opt for a round shape? Primarily because it’s fun, but a more practical reason is that speaker drivers are circular. Fitting a round driver inside a round enclosure allows for a speaker design that occupies minimal space.

      The fabric grille showcases Ultimate Ears’ trademark large volume buttons, while power/BT pairing and play/pause/track skipping buttons are located around the side. A USB-C port is available for charging, though it cannot be used for USB Audio, unlike the JBL Flip 7.

      To reduce e-waste (and likely cut costs), UE does not include a USB-C cable with the Miniroll, which is increasingly common for portable audio products.

      The back features a removable silicone strap that serves dual purposes as a wrist strap and carabiner, enabling attachment to various objects, from bike handlebars to patio light wires. As a carry strap, it isn’t as comfortable as a traditional lanyard; you might manage to fit a couple of fingers through the middle slot, but not your entire hand. However, the strap also functions interestingly when the speaker is placed on a flat surface, as its four tiny raised feet provide a surprisingly stable grip and excellent vibration isolation.

      Durability

      With an IP67 rating, the Miniroll is virtually dust and waterproof. UE also claims it’s drop-proof from a height of 1.2 meters (approximately 3.9 feet), making it a rugged option. It’s great for patios or pools, but should be considered a poolside speaker rather than a direct pool speaker. While it can withstand water immersion, unlike its larger counterpart, the WonderBoom 4, the Miniroll does not float and will sink like a stone (I learned this the hard way).

      Expandability

      UE’s PartyUp feature (powered by Bluetooth Auracast) allows you to synchronize an unlimited number of Minirolls for simultaneous playback. As long as another Miniroll is within Bluetooth range (32 feet or closer), it can join the primary Miniroll’s PartyUp network. Unfortunately, PartyUp can’t be used to create a stereo pairing with two Minirolls, and UE restricts audio sharing to just other Minirolls. JBL’s recent use of Auracast on its latest speakers offers more flexibility by allowing connection with any Auracast-enabled JBL speaker.

      Sound Quality

      In terms of sound, I think the Miniroll performs admirably for its size. While it doesn’t deliver booming bass, it still allows for much of that low-end to be heard. The Miniroll excels particularly in its handling of midrange and high frequencies, showcasing clear detail and a warm tonal quality that’s often lacking in most ultraportable speakers.

      I compared it with Marshall’s Willen, which is essentially a square version of the Miniroll, featuring a similar silicone strap design. However, sound-wise, they differ significantly. The Miniroll provides a balance and detail you would expect from a larger speaker, while the Willen lags in power and bass response.

      I’ve come across a few other Miniroll reviews that point out a deficiency in low-end sound and mention that for the same price of $80, the Soundcore Motion 300 offers superior sound quality. While this is accurate, it misses the point; the Motion 300 is over twice the size and three times