If the compact Wonderboom is too bulky for you, Ultimate Ears’ newest speaker replaces that model as the smallest product in the company’s current lineup. The Miniroll, as the name suggests, is a smaller version of the company’s flat, circular Roll design. This new Bluetooth option weighs less than a pound and can fit in tight pockets. And, as UE has been eager touting in its marketing materials, you can attach the speaker to just about anything thanks to a built-in flexible strap.
Once again, Ultimate Ears has kept the prominent volume buttons as a key design element. The power and play/pause buttons are on the left side, the latter control also useful for skipping tracks and activating PartyUp mode (using Auracast) for syncing with other UE speakers. The bottom edge houses a USB-C port for charging. While this component is fully exposed, the speaker is IP67 rated for dust and water resistance, and can survive drops from a height of approximately 4 feet (1.2 meters).
Ultimate Years
Don’t let the small size fool you, the Miniroll still packs a punch. The speaker can handle a maximum volume of 85.5dB, which is impressive for a unit of this size. This big sound is driven by one 45.6mm active driver and one 37.75mm x 65mm passive radiator.
Ultimate Ears promises up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, enough power to party all day on the go. There’s an element of sustainability here, too: the fabric is made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester, and the speakers contain at least 40% post-consumer recycled plastic parts.
The Miniroll is currently available for $80 (€80/£70) in black, blue, grey and pink colour options, which makes the speaker the most affordable in the current UE series, as well as the smallest in size.
