The best outdoor waterproof speakers can protect the circuitry from splashes, rain and water-based wear such as being dropped in puddles or pools. This high rating signifies that the speaker can be submerged in a body of water – up to 1 meter – for roughly half an hour.
And while we’re sure you most likely won’t be listening to your tunes underwater (although no judging from us if you do), the rating means that your speaker will be protected from sudden splashes or downpours.
While these outdoor speakers are designed with waterproofing in mind, that also means they’re incredibly robust, and impressively resistant to wear and tear.
The best speakers still need to offer solid feature sets, so expect more than just build quality and safety ratings from our picks below. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 The best portable waterproof speaker Specifications Weight: 0.93 pounds Battery life: 10 hours Wireless range: 100+ feet Frequency response: 80Hz – 20kHz Drivers: Two 40mm active drivers, two 46 x 65mm passive radiators NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Dell Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 5 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Great sound for its size + IP67 dustproof/waterproof rating + 30% better battery life than its predecessor Reasons to avoid – Restrictive soundstage for some tracks Sonos Roam The best waterproof speaker for indoors and out Specifications Weight: 0.95 pounds Battery life: 10 hours Wireless range: 100+ feet Frequency response: N/A Drivers: One tweeter, one mid-woofer NFC: Yes Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes (USB-C) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Powerful audio performance + Easily portable design Reasons to avoid – Fairly pricey compared to others on the list – Bass can be overwhelming The Sonos Roam is our pick for the best Bluetooth speaker on the planet, and with an IP67 dust and water resistance rating, it can handle the great outdoors with ease. The mini Sonos speaker boasts a powerful sound, rugged design, excellent connectivity features, and smart home control. A bass-heavy audio performance makes it ideal for use outdoors, while a clever Automatic Switching feature means it’s easily used indoors, too – though audiophiles may dislike the overwhelming low frequencies and rhythmic handling.
JBL Flip 5 A fun, no-frills waterproof speaker Specifications Weight: 1.2 pounds Battery life: 12 hours Wireless range: N/A Frequency response: 65Hz – 20kHz Drivers: 40mm NFC: No Bluetooth version: 4.2 Aux-in: No USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart View at Sweetwater Sound Reasons to buy + Engaging, entertaining sound + Easy to use compared to others on the list Reasons to avoid – No 3.5mm input – No mic for hands-free calls JBL’s Flip 5 is a simple soul with Bluetooth-only playback and modest features, but if you desire a rugged, great-sounding portable speaker and can sacrifice voice control or hands-free call functionality, you won’t be disappointed.
Anker Soundcore Flare 2 The best budget Bluetooth speaker Specifications Weight: 1.29 pounds Battery life: 12 hours Wireless range: 20m / 66ft Frequency response: N/A Drivers: Dual drivers and passive radiators NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Great sound quality + Speakerphone feature + IPX7 water-resistant Reasons to avoid – No 3.5mm AUX jack While it lacks a built-in voice assistant, its sound, build quality and excellent app make it a great value.
This is a speaker that can get loud and not distort at higher volumes; be light enough to carry on the move but remain durable enough to tumble in a bag unprotected. It’s waterproof as well as dust-proof, and has a one-touch mix button that lets you pull up your favorite playlists without needing to pick up your smartphone.
There are certainly more detailed outdoor speakers out there (see: Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin down below), but at a price that’s relatively affordable to all, the UE Boom 3 hits all the right notes for the third year in a row. Ultimate Ears Megablast The best outdoor speaker for battery life Specifications Weight: 1.93 pounds Battery life: 20 hours Wireless range: 100+ feet Frequency response: 65Hz – 20kHz Drivers: Two 2” drivers and two 2” x 4” passive radiators NFC: Yes Aux-in: Yes USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Prime Low Stock View at Amazon View at Walmart 1 Amazon customer review ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Convenient Alexa integration + Bigger sound, better battery Reasons to avoid – Expensive compared to rivals – Charging dock sold separately Bass is stronger and richer than its smaller UE Boom 3 and Wonderboom 2 brothers, and this is the speaker for anybody who wants to really blare their music at a party. For the money, you get an outdoor speaker that sound great, is tough as nails, acts as a charger for your phone, and lasts all day.
JBL Boombox 2 The best waterproof party speaker Specifications Weight: 13 pounds Battery life: 24 hours Wireless range: N/A Frequency response: 50Hz – 20kHz Drivers: N/A NFC: N/A Aux-in: Yes USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon View at Harman Reasons to buy + Loud, distortion-free sound + IPX7 water-resistant + Great 24-hour battery life Reasons to avoid – Expensive compared to rivals – No smartphone charging It’s a hefty tag to pay for a pretty one-dimensional product, but if you need an outdoor-ready speaker for a family gathering and don’t care about hi-res audio, the JBL Boombox 2 has you covered. Thankfully, that adage has never been less applicable: the speaker gets loud enough to fill up a medium-sized room, and at full volume, there’s only a little distortion on the highs. Plus, this outdoor speaker is IPX7 water and dust resistant so it’ll put up with a day at the beach or pool without a problem.
Braven Stryde 360 A versatile, weatherproof speaker at an affordable price Specifications Weight: N/A Battery life: 12 hours Wireless range: N/A Frequency response: N/A Drivers: 2 x full range driver, 2 x passive radiator NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at invisibleSHIELD Prime View at Amazon 286 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Syncs with a second speaker + Great price-to-performance ratio Reasons to avoid – No 3.5mm aux jack – Average battery life compared to rivals
Best waterproof speakers 2021: budget, portable, smart
These little beauties are often photographed by a pool, thus letting you know that you can blast tunes while getting in your 40 lengths (or walking in the pouring rain) without fear of malfunction. (Remember, the ‘X’ in IPX7, IPX5, or indeed any IP rating just means the product wasn’t tested for resilience against that particular issue; in this case dust ingress.)
All of the models mentioned below are Bluetooth waterproof speakers, so you can play your tunes wirelessly while keeping your smartphone or tablet away from the wet stuff.
Tribit Stormbox Micro A fun and bubbly Bluetooth speaker that’s serious when it comes to sound Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 9.8 x 9.8 x 3.5cm Power: 9W Features: water/dustproof, Bluetooth 5.0, stereo-pairing mode Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £42.99 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Mature, musical sound + Surprisingly weighty bass + USB-C charger Reasons to avoid – Short battery life It’s hard to imagine a home decor, backpack or personal taste that the Tribit Audio Stormbox Micro couldn’t merge in with happily. Although a speaker of such dimensions is obviously limited in terms of bass weight, it does remarkably well; close your eyes while listening and you’ll picture a bigger product.
Similarly, if you only have a small zip compartment in the top of your backpack for a sonic travel companion, this speaker is worthy of that space. Take note, Ultimate Ears: a little-known brand called Tribit Audio has produced a budget belter of a Bluetooth speaker.
JBL Charge 5 Updated specs and subtle tweaks for JBL’s fifth-generation Charge Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 22 x 9.6 x 9.4cm Power: 30W + 10W tweeter Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v5.1, power bank, voice assistant integration Connections: USB-C, USB-A TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £159 View at Amazon £159 View at Richer Sounds £159.99 View at argos.co.uk Reasons to buy + Clearer and more detailed sound + Wider soundstage + Updated dustproofing Reasons to avoid – Nothing at this level
Its predecessor carried an IPX7 rating, meaning it could handle being submerged in water to a depth of 1.5m, but the IP67-rated Charge 5 builds on that durability by also being fully dustproof. Thanks in part to a new 10W tweeter and racetrack-shaped driver, the Charge 5 is currently as good a sound as you can get in a portable Bluetooth speaker design for under £200 ($200, AU$300). JBL Xtreme 3 JBL’s rugged wireless speaker serves up a sonic surprise Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 13.9 x 29.8 x 13.4cm Power: 100W Features: Bluetooth v5.1, PartyBoost for multiple connections to PartBoost enabled JBL speakers, IP67 rated Connections: 3.5mm, USB-C, USB-A out TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £279 View at Amazon £299 View at Richer Sounds £299.99 View at argos.co.uk Reasons to buy + Rugged build + Impressive detail and dynamics + Strong sense of timing Reasons to avoid – No smart features – No hands-free for phone calls
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a versatile, talented wireless speaker that’s as happy chilling at home as it is being the life and soul of a party. Yes, it’s rugged, it’s IP67 dust- and waterproof certified and you’d be forgiven for thinking at first glance that it might be more preoccupied with the amount of bass it’s producing rather than musical quality.
But let us reassure you: the JBL Xtreme 3 proves to be a careful and considerate performer from the lowest of lows to the highest highs. The JBL Xtreme 3 gained five stars across the board during our rigorous in-house testing, never appearing out of its depth no matter how complicated the musical arrangement.
JBL Charge 4 A fun and bubbly Bluetooth speaker that’s serious when it comes to sound Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 22 x 9.5 x 9.3 Power: 30W Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v4.2, power bank, voice assistant integration Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £178.59 View at Amazon 148 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Rugged and water resistant + USB port for charging + Great sound quality Reasons to avoid – Perhaps too subtle for some JBL Link Portable For a great, affordable, durable home smart speaker, you’ll be hard-pushed to find a product that can match JBL’s Link Portable Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 17 x 8.8 x 8.8 Power: 20W Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v4.2, Google Assistant built-in, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, music over wi-fi Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS £139.99 View at Acer UK Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Expansive sound + Packed with features + Premium design Reasons to avoid – No JBL Connect support – Fussy over placement Suddenly, much of that competition seems to melt away – its connectivity brings a plethora of rarely-seen streaming options to the table at this level, including AirPlay 2, Chromecast and hi-res support. If all you want is a portable, waterproof Bluetooth speaker that sounds as good as £100 can currently buy, you’ll be hard-pressed to better the Flip 5.
Specifications Waterproof: IP67 Battery life: 16 hours Connections: Micro USB, Wireless charger Wireless: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Dimensions (HWD): 237 x 88 x 88mm Weight: 1,200g TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 338 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Empty List Reasons to avoid – Empty List
Amazon’s Alexa virtual assistant still comes as standard, giving you smart skills around the home, but the battery life is a little better. The button on top is surprisingly versatile – it can skip tracks, play and pause, and even summon a playlist – and you can pair hundreds of the blighters to create quite a din. JBL Go 3 JBL’s newest soap-sized speaker sounds good – but the finish and battery life won’t wash with today’s class leaders Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 8.8 x 7.5 x 4.1 Power: 4W Features: Water/dustproof IP67, Bluetooth 5.1 Connections: USB-C TODAY’S BEST DEALS £29.99 View at O2 Mobiles £34 View at Richer Sounds Prime £34.99 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Sensible treble + Fuller bass + More volume Reasons to avoid – Poor battery life – Not very durable finish
The diminutive, soap on a rope-styled Go 3 features Bluetooth 5.1 instead of 4.1 plus a maximum power output of 4.2W, up from 3W in the Go 2 (which we also liked) and now, an IP67 water- and dust-proof rating.
The best waterproof speakers in 2021
Waterproof speakers make the perfect companion at the beach, pool parties, and even the shower, producing lively sound to keep yourself or small crowds entertained. We’ve compiled a list of the best waterproof speakers that our experts ranked based on testing, factoring in all key categories (e.g., battery life, IPX rating, sound). This IP67-rated speaker is capable of blasting bass at a high volume, costs a fraction of the Roam’s price, and is super compact to carry anywhere.
UE Megaboom 3 The best waterproof speaker overall Specifications Size and Weight: 8.9 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches, 2 pounds Battery Life (Rated): 20 hours Water Resistance: Yes (IP67) Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Dell View at Walmart 23 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Big bass and full vocals + Good battery life + Can pair with older Megaboom and Boom models for stereo sound Reasons to avoid – Big and heavy for a portable – No speakerphone Its cylindrical design allows for high-quality sound to pump out in all directions, and with a healthy rated battery life of 20 hours it can keep going all day. The JBL Go 3 can be submerged, blasted with a showerhead or rolled around in wet sand and it will still keep on playing; it hold an IP67 rating, and held up to those standards in our own testing.
It’s extremely portable, weighing less than half of a Sonos Roam, and while it doesn’t sound as sophisticated still delivers more bass than its size would suggest. Sonos Move A more powerful alternative to the Sonos Roam Specifications Size and Weight: 9.4 x 6.3 x 5 inches, 6.6 pounds Battery Life (Rated): 10 hours Water Resistance: Yes (IP56) Voice Controls: Yes (Alexa and Google Assistant) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 689 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Superb audio quality + Built-in Automatic TruePlay technology + Easy Wi-Fi-to-Bluetooth connection conversion Reasons to avoid – Pricey – No smart features in Bluetooth mode
The Wi-Fi-equipped Sonos Move is on the pricey side, but this speaker is portable and smart, complete with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support. Even if it’s not as smart as the Sonos Roam or doesn’t sound quite as superb as the UE Wonderboom 3, the JBL Charge 5 is still one of the best waterproof speakers on the market. It’s easy to use, audio performance improves on the Charge 4 and there’s a handy phone-recharging feature that enables the speaker itself to top up your mobile device if it runs low. This diminutive speaker blasts out well-balanced sound that’s more than enough for an intimate BBQ or pool party, and with around 24 hours of battery life you probably won’t need to worry about running out of juice.
You will need to be a bit careful around bodies of water as IPX5 only represents protection against splashes and low-power jets, not total submersion should someone get careless. UE Wonderboom 2 A portable waterproof speaker at a great price Specifications Size and Weight: 4 x 3.7 x 3.7 inches, 14.4 ounces Battery Life (Rated): 13 hours Water Resistance: Yes (IP67) Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Dell Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 5 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Full bass for a small speaker + Waterproof and dustproof Reasons to avoid – No app – No visual battery life indicator The UE Wonderboom 2 is one of the best waterproof speakers that crams a surprising amount of bass-rich sound into a small, go-anywhere enclosure. It even floats in water, so fishing it out of a pool or bathtub is no problem at all, and a respectable level of solid ingrees protection should keep it safe around mud and dust too.
The Flip 5 matches its predecessor’s IPX7 rating, so is fully waterproof even if it lacks dust protection, and can turn up a bit louder too. It can distort at louder volumes, something we wish was fixed from the Flip 4, but otherwise this is a good bet if you want something similar to the UE Megaboom 3 at a more affordable price. LG XBoom Go PL7 A water-resistant speaker with sleek styling Specifications Size and Weight: 9.7 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches, 3.2 pounds Battery Life (Rated): 24 hours Water Resistance: Yes (IPX5) Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at BHPhoto Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Crisp treble and defined bass + Good battery life + LED lights add to the fun Reasons to avoid – No integrated voice assistant – Few sound adjustments available In fact it’s one of the most exciting-looking speakers around, with a stylish soft-touch finish and integrated LED lighting that add some visual pop to your playlists. Still, that’s enough protection for all but the most serious of aquatic accidents, and with good-quality sound put plus 24 hours of battery life, LG clearly hasn’t forgotten the essentials. Tribit StormBox Micro The best waterproof Bluetooth speaker Specifications Size and Weight: 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.4 inches, 8 ounces Battery Life (Rated): 8 hours Water Resistance: Yes (IP67) Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Small and lightweight + Good bass for a small speaker + Water resistant Reasons to avoid – No app – Limited battery life While most of the devices on our best waterproof speaker list are portable enough to easily toss in a bag, only the Tribit StormBox Micro is truly tiny. Measuring 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.4 inches and weighing a relatively featherweight 8 ounces, the StormBox Micro is a Bluetooth speaker that will fit in your palm, never mind a carry case.
Its hefty drivers and vicious loudness make this the best waterproof speaker for parties, and the quality of clarity of the audio hasn’t been sacrificed at the altar of volume. Fugoo Sport 2.0 A simple, easy-to-use waterproof speaker Specifications Size and Weight: 7.5 x 3 x 2.5 inches, 14.1 ounces Battery Life (Rated): 10 hours Water Resistance: Yes (IP67) Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Bright, crisp treble + Wide soundstage + Fully waterproofed Reasons to avoid – Reduced battery life – No app – Limited bass Tough plastic edges add further protection against drops, and despite the portable dimensions the Sport 2.0 can play detailed, balanced audio at very high volumes. JBL Link 20 A waterproof speaker with Google smarts Specifications Size and Weight: 8.3 x 3.7 inches, 33.5 ounces Battery Life (Rated): 10 hours Water Resistance: Yes (IPX7) Voice Controls: Yes (Google Assistant) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Musician’s Friend View at Musician’s Friend View at Walmart 216 Walmart customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Powered by Google Assistant + Portable and rugged + Well-balanced overall sound Reasons to avoid – Can’t make calls – Expensive
Smart Bluetooth speakers are becoming a dime a dozen, but the JBL Link 20 manages to stand out from the pack by being one of the few to prioritize Google Assistant. Add in a rugged, IPX7-rated design built to endure a dunk in the pool or a spell in the shower, and you’ve got one of the top speakers out there in the $200-$250 range. Smaller, lighter speakers are easier to carry out to the park but might not deliver the space-filling volume output of bigger, heavier models. We’ll also test any special features to make sure they work, like voice commands, and will judge the connectivity and controls of each speaker based on how easy they are to use.
Best waterproof speakers
Editor’s note: this list was updated on September 3, 2021, to include more products in the notable mentions. The JBL Flip 5 is a happy-medium speaker when it comes to portability, sound quality, and convenience. If you don’t need USB-C charging and the slightly upgraded drivers, you can pick up the older JBL Flip 4 instead. The clever design of the UE BOOM 3 is impressive, earning it a top spot on this list.
Not only does the UE BOOM 3 design make it appealing, but it’s fairly lightweight and isn’t a hassle to toss into a bag. Battery life is roughly 15 hours of constant playback which isn’t great, but it does have an IP67 waterproof build.
The JBL Charge 5 has an IP67 rating, so you can drop it in the sand or dunk it in the water with no problem. The short, pudgy build is adorned with UE’s signature + and – volume buttons. If you need, you can switch Outdoor Boost mode on, which increases the loudness at the expense of clarity.
As is the case with waterproof speakers, durability is key and the UE WONDERBOOM 2 is as strong as it is stout. The WONDERBOOM 2 features an updated elastic loop to hook it onto a tree limb. While battery life has greatly improved from the previous version, it still falls short of UE’s claimed 13-hour stamina.
Battery life is just okay at about 12 hours, but it’s enough to power the dual LED halos on the top and bottom. Limit: Device max tilt of 60° from sprays IPX4 ✓ Splashes, omnidirectional IPX5 ✓ Water jets (12.5 L/min)
Besides the obvious advantage of not having to worry about water damage, waterproof speakers are generally durable and often shock-resistant. You should avoid dropping any electronics because it could loosen internal components, but these devices are made with adventure in mind. Sure, there are beefier options out there for those of you who prefer sound quality over portability, but most are small enough to easily toss in a bag on your way out of the house. Worst case, you can always clip the speaker to the outside of your bag or toss it into your pack’s water bottle holster.
Drivers need to be protected from water and dust to varying degrees which means they don’t sound as clear as their non-waterproof competitors. This isn’t always the case, but most of the time waterproof speakers will be a bit more expensive because of the added feature.
Each writer at SoundGuys has accumulated years of experience reporting on the consumer audio market. This coupled with hands-on experience has allowed us to quickly discriminate between the good and not-so-good products out there. At SoundGuys, none of our writers will benefit from recommending one brand over another, so you can trust that our opinions are unbiased.
The 5 Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers – Fall 2021: Reviews
The best waterproof Bluetooth speaker with a floatable design that we’ve tested is the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2. That said, while it can’t get very loud, there are few compression artifacts present at max volume, so your audio sounds clean and clear during louder listening sessions.
bluetooth speakers for beach
” We bought it to take on vacation so we will see how it sounds on the beach ….I have purchased multiple blue – tooth speakers over the years, but this one beats them all in quality and sound. ” The SoundLink Revolve II Bluetooth speaker delivers true 360° sound for consistent, uniform coverage. The tapered cylindrical shape makes this wireless speaker easy to grab and go, while a durable aluminum body provides worry-free protection.
The 5 Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers 2021
Portable Bluetooth speakers are the easiest, most affordable way to spread the sound from your phone or tablet across a room, backyard, or beach blanket. With clear vocal reproduction and a decent amount of bass for its size, it offers satisfying sound for a small area, such as across a picnic table or a couple of lounge chairs on a patio.
It has an IP67 rating and is one of the most rugged Bluetooth speakers we’ve tested, able to survive a 5-foot drop and a dunking in 1 meter of water—but because it floats, it’ll probably never dive that deep.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a great choice if you want a Bluetooth speaker that sounds bigger and bolder than our top pick yet is still portable enough to take to the beach or the tailgate. This speaker is built for adventure: The IP67 rating means it’s waterproof and dustproof, the strong carrying strap makes it easy to lug along anywhere, and in our testing the Xtreme 3 ran for 17 hours on one charge. If you need something that sounds a little louder and fuller than the UE Wonderboom 2 but is more portable and affordable than the JBL Xtreme 3, the Sony SRS-XB33 finds a nice middle ground.
17 Best Bluetooth Speakers (2021): Portable, Waterproof, and More
By (mostly) forgoing voice assistants and Wi-Fi radios, Bluetooth speakers gain portability, with the ability to venture outside of your house and withstand rugged conditions like the sandy beach or the steamy Airbnb jacuzzi. We’ve tested hundreds of models in the past few years, and we can happily say they are still some of the best small devices you can listen to.
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