The UE Megablast is a powerful portable speaker that takes the solid performance and rugged design of the Megaboom and adds Alexa voice control to the mix. It easily overpowers the smaller and less expensive Amazon Tap , as well as the Echo itself.

Powerful sound; Rugged, portable design; Integrates Amazon Alexa voice control

Can distort on deep sub-bass; Lacks some voice control features; No speakerphone

Ultimate Ears has established itself as a leader in the portable Bluetooth speaker market with its Boom line, which includes the excellent Boom 2 and Megaboom. Now it's hitting the smart speaker space, adding Wi-Fi connectivity and voice control to the mix with its new Blast family. UE's Blast speakers look, feel, and perform a lot like their Boom equivalents, but with Amazon Alexa voice control. The $299.99 UE Megablast is the biggest of the bunch, as well as the most powerful speaker for taking Alexa on the go. Design The Megablast is similar to the Megaboom in size, but with starker, sharper contours for its cylindrical body. It measures 9.4 by 3.6 inches (HW), with a cloth grille interrupted by a wide rubber strip featuring the large plus and minus buttons that are now signatures of UE's speaker design. The top of the Megablast features a large power button in the center with an LED indicator, and a smaller Bluetooth pairing button with a smaller LED. The bottom of the speake...

If you want to take Alexa on the go, the UE Megablast is one of the biggest, most powerful smart speakers you can tote and expose to the elements without worry.

Powerful sound; Rugged, portable design; Integrates Amazon Alexa voice control

Can distort on deep sub-bass; Lacks some voice control features; No speakerphone

In recent years, Ultimate Ears' Boom speakers have been among our favorite portable Bluetooth speakers. Compact and well-designed, they deliver big sound for their small size and are particularly well suited to outdoor use.

While it's expensive and still a work in progress, UE's Megablast speaker is the best-sounding portable Alexa-enabled speaker out there right now.

The UE MegaBlast is a portable, fully waterproof Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker that has Amazon's Alexa voice assistant built in; It sounds very good for its compact size, is durable and offers strong battery life.

Somewhat expensive; speakers can't be linked; no Alexa voice support for Spotify playback (can only stream Spotify via Bluetooth); USB charging port is a little bit of a pain to access, making the optional charging base more of a must-have accessory for home use.

In recent years, Ultimate Ears' Boom speakers have been among our favorite portable Bluetooth speakers. Compact and well-designed, they deliver big sound for their small size and are particularly well suited to outdoor use.

The UE MegaBlast is a portable, fully waterproof Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker that has Amazon's Alexa voice assistant built in; It sounds very good for its compact size, is durable and offers strong battery life

Somewhat expensive; speakers can't be linked; no Alexa voice support for Spotify playback (can only stream Spotify via Bluetooth); USB charging port is a little bit of a pain to access, making the optional charging base more of a must-have accessory for home use

While it's expensive and still a work in progress, UE's Megablast speaker is the best-sounding portable Alexa-enabled speaker out there right now.

The UE MegaBlast is a portable, fully waterproof Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker that has Amazon's Alexa voice assistant built in; It sounds very good for its compact size, is durable and offers strong battery life.

Somewhat expensive; speakers can't be linked; no Alexa voice support for Spotify playback (can only stream Spotify via Bluetooth); USB charging port is a little bit of a pain to access, making the optional charging base more of a must-have accessory for home use.

This Bluetooth smart speaker packs musical power, all-day battery life, and Amazon Alexa integration into a sexy and colorful package.

Plenty loud; with good bass response; Amazon Alexa integration; IP67 weather protection

Pricey; Can't charge other mobile devices; No speakerphone feature

Ultimate Ears announced two new speakers last month, the BLAST and MEGABLAST. These are kind of replacements for the BOOM 2 and MEGABOOM Bluetooth speakers, but not really. You see, these two are part of a new lineup, hence the changed names.

The Boom 2 and Wonderboom have been some of our favourite rugged speakers for a while now, and the Blast looks set to join that list. It keeps the same life-proof construction and is as easy to lug around as a bottle of water, but gains handy extras like Alexa integration and cable-free charging. The £199 Blast is twice the price of the Boom 2, though, and by the time you add the PowerUp charging base, it’s £145 more than Amazon’s new Echo. Can you put up with being tethered to the mains? Then you don’t have to spend a lot more to get the even better-sounding Sonos One. If a built-in battery, a portable, weatherproof build and wire-free listening are higher on your list of wants than Spotify playback and an accurate microphone, though, the Blast is an easy buy.

Gets seriously loud; Built-in Alexa support is great extra; Water resistant rubber makes it pretty much life-proof;

Can’t charge while standing up - unless you buy the dock; Music Unlimited only at launch; No PartyUp speaker pairing;

All in the family… of awesome sound.

Amazing sound; Waterproof; 16 hours of battery; Integrated Amazon Alexa Cloud Services; Bluetooth too; LOUD!!

Pricey; No 3.5mm Aux-In port; POWER UP base is an additional charge

Alexa inside; Excellent all-around sound; Waterproof

Can't do everything an Amazon Alexa speaker can; Limited app