Today's waterproof speakers have become smarter, more durable, and more entertaining than ever. The product category’s top offerings will not only play your favorite tunes but also charge your mobile devices and even deliver access to your favorite virtual assistant.
Best of all, you can find a great option regardless of your budget. So, in order to find the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers out there, we spent weeks scrutinizing and testing products from leading brands like Bose, JBL, and Sony, to name a few.
The Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
- Our Top Pick: Sony SRS-XB33
- Runner-Up: Ultimate Ears BOOM 3
- The Smartest: Sonos Roam
- Best Budget Waterproof Speaker: Soundcore Flare 2
- Best Mini Waterproof Speaker: JBL Clip 4
- Best Big Waterproof Speaker: JBL Xtreme 3
- Best Under $100: Soundcore Motion Boom
- A Tiny Speaker with Big Bass: Sony SRS-XB13 Extra Bass
- Best for Evening Parties: JBL Pulse 4
How We Tested
We've been researching and testing waterproof Bluetooth speakers for years. For this update, we looked for options with the most futureproof specs. Translation? We made sure these speakers will be able to adapt to new developments for years to come. Our process included reading reviews from other tech publications and sifting through consumer feedback, as well as consulting with industry experts.
We spent at least a week testing each speaker we selected, using the following criteria:
- Design and durability — focusing on the product’s build and ability to survive exposure to the elements.
- Sound quality — evaluating the ability of each speaker to deliver audible bass, treble, and mid-range come rain or shine.
- Battery performance — observing how many hours’ worth of wireless playback the device is capable of, as well as its charging methods.
- Ease of use and additional attributes — evaluating the product’s controls, any supplemental features it offers, and, when available, app-enabled functionality.
Learn more about how we test products, from the questions we ask our testing team, to the types of products we feel are actually worth testing, to the overall time we put in to our testing process.
What to Consider
Sound, durability, and battery life are the most important bits to consider when shopping for a waterproof speaker. Regardless of the type of outing you take it on, a high-quality product should be able to deliver a stellar sonic experience for many hours between charges.
When it comes to sound, the more audio drivers a speaker packs, the more detail-rich and entertaining sound it will deliver. For our top pick, we selected a product that can deliver high-quality stereo sound to the listeners in front of it. If you plan to make the gadget a true party centerpiece, consider an offering that’s capable of delivering multidirectional, 360-degree audio.
Every speaker on our list has an official rating for water resistance (some can even float on the surface), and it is important to know the difference between an IP and an IPX moniker. The former means that the product can handle water and dust, while the latter attests that a speaker has only been rated for exposure to water. Ideally, you should choose a versatile speaker that’s capable of handling more than just exposure to water.
Regarding battery life, the absolute minimum you should consider before buying a waterproof speaker is 10 hours. This will ensure that the device can entertain you during a daily outing. Most of the best waterproof speakers can easily blast a day worth of tunes with power to spare.
Additional cool features like built-in lights and the ability to charge your phone or other gadgets are also worth considering. So are app-enabled tools for customizing the speaker’s sound, adjusting its settings, among many others. An app can also allow you to update the firmware of your speaker and potentially expand its capabilities.
Ready to find the ultimate waterproof Bluetooth speaker? Learn more about our favorite picks at every price point.
1
Our Top Pick
Sony SRS-XB33 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Key Specs
• Sound: Dual audio drivers and passive bass radiators
• Durability: IP67 waterproof, shockproof, dustproof
• Power: Up to 24 hours of battery life, USB-C connector
The SRS-XB33 by Sony is the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker for most consumers. It has an elegant design with a fabric cover, a shockproof build with an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, great sound, and fantastic battery life of up to 24 hours between charges, all at an amazing price. Its design and overall performance also made it our favorite Bluetooth speaker overall.
To top things off, SRS-XB33 has a customizable color line and strobe lights that can sync with the music, app-enabled controls, futureproof USB-C port for replenishing its battery, and a full USB power output for charging other gadgets. It also doubles as a speakerphone.
The speaker packs a duo of full-range audio drivers and two passive radiators. They combine to deliver a powerful and distortion-free sound with an enhanced low range, which is no surprise since the product’s XB moniker stands for Extra Bass.
More: The Best Completely Wireless Earbuds Under $100
2
Runner-Up
Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Key Specs
• Sound: Dual audio drivers/bass radiators in 360-degree setup
• Durability: IP67 waterproof, dustproof
• Power: Up to 15 hours of battery life, micro-USB connector
Almost 3 years after its debut, the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 is still one of the best waterproof speakers, thanks to an eye-catching design, a tough build with a class-leading 2-year warranty, a 360-degree sound with great quality, and up to 20 hours of battery life. The speaker also has additional features you can access via a smartphone app. We only wish its micro-USB connector for charging wasn't so dated.
Sporting an IP67 rating for water resistance, the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 can not only survive submersion under water but also float on its surface, making it a great option for pool use.
The mobile app allows users to set up quick access to favorite Apple Music and Spotify playlists via the product’s multi-functional magic button. Those who are looking for festival-grade sound can connect well over 100 BOOM speakers.
There are several colors to pick from: black, blue, red, gray, and an Amazon-exclusive dusk option.
3
The Smartest
Sonos Roam Waterproof Smart Speaker
Key Specs
• Sound: Built-in tweeter, woofer, 2 digital amplifiers
• Durability: IP67 waterproof, dustproof
• Power: Up to 10 hours of battery life, USB-C connector, wireless charging
The Sonos Roam is hands down our favorite waterproof smart speaker. Available in black or white, it has Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as compatibility with Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant, and Apple AirPlay 2 wireless playback. Bluetooth is also on board in case you need to use it away from home.
Like all Sonos products, the Roam delivers a powerful, uncompromisingly entertaining sound. The sonic experience is rich and perfect for outdoor entertainment, and you can tune it to your exact liking via a Sonos mobile app. The speaker also has intuitive controls, as well as high-quality microphones that can pick up voice commands even with the volume up.
The speaker’s 10-hour battery life, while unremarkable at a quick glance, is solid for a product this feature-packed. Best of all, the Roam is Qi-compatible, allowing you to top up its battery on the same wireless charger as your phone. Sonos offers an optional wireless charging dock that's tailor-made for the Roam as well.
More: We Tested the Sonos Roam Smart Speaker
4
Best Mini Waterproof Speaker
JBL Clip 4 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Key Specs
• Sound: 40-millimeter audio transducer
• Durability: IP67 waterproof, dustproof
• Power: Up to 10 hours of battery life, USB-C connector
JBL’s Clip 4 is the best ultra compact waterproof speaker worth your attention. The palm-sized gadget has a cool and versatile design, headlined by the Clip product family’s signature carabiner. The last-mentioned bit will allow you to attach it to a bag, a backpack, or a bicycle, among many other things.
We like that the speaker is water- and dust-resistant with an IP67 rating. Its fabric finish, metal components, and button controls have amazing tactility, too.
JBL has equipped the Clip 4 with a well-tuned 40-millimeter audio driver, making the speaker deliver a surprisingly powerful sound for its size. I was pleasantly surprised by how balanced the sonic experience was during my testing.
The Clip 4 can deliver up to 10 hours of wireless audio between battery charges, and it packs a convenient USB-C connector. There are several colors to pick from black, blue, camouflage, gray, pink, and red.
More: We Tested the Best Mini Bluetooth Speakers Worth Buying
5
Best Budget Waterproof Speaker
Soundcore Flare 2 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Key Specs
• Sound: Dual audio drivers with passive bass radiators
• Durability: IPX7 waterproof
• Power: Up to 12 hours of battery life, USB-C connector
The fabric-covered Soundcore Flare 2 speaker by Anker belies its price tag. It has a great design, intuitive controls, an IPX7 rating for water resistance, and stellar audio performance with speakerphone functionality. It is our favorite option for budget-conscious buyers.
With a pair of high-quality audio drivers and a duo of passive bass radiators on board, the Flare 2 delivers a powerful 360-degree sound. The speaker's bass output, while abundant, is thankfully not overwhelming.
We love how interactive this speaker is, thanks to customizable LED lights. Users can tweak the device’s sound and lighting effects via a mobile app. There’s also the option to connect more than 100 speakers for a bigger sound.
The Soundcore Flare 2 can last up to 12 hours between battery charges. However, you should be mindful of the device’s volume and lighting effects if you want to achieve this claim.
6
Best Big Waterproof Speaker
JBL Xtreme 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Key Specs
• Sound: Dual 70-millimeter woofers and dual 20-millimeter tweeters
• Durability: IP67 waterproof, dustproof
• Power: Up to 15 hours of battery life, USB-C connector
The JBL Xtreme 3 is bigger and more powerful than any other entry on this list. It weighs well over 4 pounds (almost 2 more than the Sony SRS-XB33), but the thunderous sound it offers makes the extra bulk worth dealing with. You can order the product in black, blue, or with a camouflage pattern.
Acoustically, this JBL speaker delivers a performance that lives up to its Xtreme moniker. It packs two woofers, two tweeters, and a pair of passive bass radiators, which produce the legendary audio maker’s signature sound. In addition to futureproof Bluetooth 5.1, the product has a standard audio jack for wired playback.
The speaker is fully water- and dust-resistant with an IP67 rating, ensuring that it can be the centerpiece of a party anywhere you take it. We applaud JBL for including a sturdy carrying strap with each speaker, as well as an integrated bottle opener.
You can expect up to 15 hours’ worth of wireless playback from the JBL Xtreme 3. Rather impressively, the product can simultaneously charge a couple of gadgets via a USB-A and a USB-C port while blasting tunes.
7
Best Under $100
Soundcore Motion Boom Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Key Specs
• Sound: Dual audio drivers and passive radiators
• Durability: IPX7 waterproof
• Power: Up to 24 hours of battery life, USB-C connector
The Soundcore Motion Boom by Anker is the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker under $100. Its design, build, sound, and additional features are impressive for a $100 product. Its companion app is the best you’ll find on a Bluetooth speaker, regardless of the price tag.
With a pair of audio drivers and a duo of passive radiators, the Motion Boom can deliver balanced stereo sound with impressive fidelity. We like that the speaker has a button for instantly enhancing its bass. The Soundcore app, on the other hand, allows users to adjust the audio to their exact preference.
We like the convenient boombox-style handle of the Soundcore Motion Boom. Like our top pick from Sony, the Motion Boom can last up to 24 hours between battery charges, and it can charge other gadgets via a USB connector.
The product has an IPX7 rating for water resistance, meaning it can survive complete submersion. According to Anker, it can float, too. It hasn’t been rated for exposure to dust, however.
8
Tiny But Mighty
Sony SRS-XB13 Extra Bass Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Key Specs
• Sound: 46-millimeter speaker, bass radiator, sound diffusion tech
• Durability: IP67 waterproof, dustproof
• Power: Up to 16 hours of battery life, USB-C connector
Sony's recently launched, impressively tiny XB13 Bluetooth speaker will surprise you with a thumping bass delivery and up to 16 hours of battery life.
Unlike its predecessor, the affordable gadget also has a USB-C connector for charging, as well as Fast Pair tech for Android phones. Combined, the aforementioned bits make the speaker one of our favorite options in its price range.
The speaker has an IP67 rating for water resistance, meaning it can survive rain, splashes, and direct exposure to running water, as well as full submersion. It is fully dust-resistant, too.
In case you need more immersive sound, there's also the option to pair two XB13 speakers. There are multiple colors to pick from: black, blue, coral, and taupe.
9
Great For Entertaining
JBL Pulse 4 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Key Specs
• Sound: 2.25-inch transducer with 360-degree setup
• Durability: IPX7 waterproof
• Power: Up to 12 hours of battery life, USB-C connector
The JBL Pulse 4 is hands-down the most entertaining speaker on this list. In addition to being capable of blasting the brand’s signature sound, it can also deliver a 360-degree LED light show that's guaranteed to make it an evening party's centerpiece.
The lighting effects make the speaker look like a high-tech lantern. You can customize them to your exact liking via a mobile app.
According to JBL, the Pulse 4 can deliver up to 12 hours of wireless tunes between charges. That's far from the best in class but a worthy tradeoff for the visual experience the product can deliver. The gadget packs a convenient USB-C connector for charging.
The speaker has an IPX7 rating for water resistance, which means it can be fully submerged under water. You can order it with a black or white finish.
Stefan Vazharov
Senior Technology Editor
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015; He previously covered tech products for GSMArena.com and his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics.
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