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The 7 Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers - Fall 2023 Reviews

Updated
Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers

If you want to play audio at the pool or outdoors, or you're looking for the best beach Bluetooth speaker, you'll most likely want a waterproof Bluetooth speaker you can easily bring along with you. Many speakers have an IP rating: dust and water resistance scores tested by independent and accredited third parties. When looking for a waterproof speaker, an IP rating of IPX4-IPX7 is ideal, but it ultimately depends on your needs. A speaker with an IPX4 rating can tolerate splashes of water. In contrast, speakers with an IPX7 rating can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. An IP rating is the most surefire way to know how a speaker handles water.

Despite their IP rating, some product manuals advise against using waterproof speakers in certain situations, like the beach or shower. IP ratings don't account for different types of water exposure like salty, soapy, or chlorinated water; depending on manufacturer specifications, you may need to rinse the speaker off with fresh water after exposure or avoid exposure completely. Frequent exposure to soapy, salty, or chlorinated water tends to deteriorate the speaker's surface build with time, particularly if it's covered in fabric instead of sturdier materials like silicone or plastic. As a general rule, it's good to rinse or wipe off any substance the manufacturer hasn't explicitly deemed safe for your product and double-check that the speaker's ports are completely dry before using and recharging them.

We've tested over 115 speakers; below, you'll find our picks for the best waterproof speakers. If you're looking for more speakers, check out our recommendations for the best shower speakers, the best outdoor speakers, the best speaker brands, and the best cheap speakers.


  1. Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

    The JBL Boombox 3 is the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker we've tested. If you're looking to rock out to your favorite tunes at your next pool party or a day at the beach, this speaker's for you. With a boombox-style design, it boasts great sound quality, so you enjoy a clean and clear sound with all your favorite tracks. It gets loud enough to fill larger and more open spaces like a backyard or a community pool with sound, too. Best of all, it's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance and even floats in water. You can enjoy your next big party without fear of splashes and spills.

    This premium device has extra features to help you make the most of your listening experience. It's compatible with the JBL Portable app, which you can load onto your phone or tablet to control the speaker's output. A graphic EQ is on hand to switch up its sound to your liking, and you can even pair it up with other compatible JBL speakers to boost sound throughout the pool deck. It also lasts almost 30 hours off a single charge, so you can rock on late into the night without worrying about a recharge. With a sturdy build and a stand-out sound, this Bluetooth speaker is worth checking out.

    See our review

  2. Best Upper Mid-Range Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

    The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a more affordable waterproof Bluetooth speaker. With a sturdy build and a portable design, it's great for bringing your music on the go, whether stopping by the pool or soaping up in the shower. Its built-in carrying hook makes it easy to clip the device onto your bag or backpack, or you can carry it in your hand since it's so lightweight. Like the JBL Boombox 3, it's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, and the manufacturer says it can float in water.

    This speaker boasts a good sound quality for the price, too. If you want a different sound, you can switch it up using the graphic EQ and presets in its companion app. Of course, a major trade-off for its smaller size comes in the low-bass range—this speaker doesn't bring as much thump and rumble as the larger JBL. You can check out the Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus if you want a similarly-priced waterproof speaker with a bit more low-bass. However, the Anker isn't quite as small as the Ultimate Ears, which may or may not be a drawback, depending on how you plan to use it. Its bass is no match for the more premium JBL, either.

    See our review

  3. Best Mid-Range Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

    If you want a waterproof Bluetooth speaker at a cheaper price, check out the Anker Soundcore Motion+. It's another portable Bluetooth device that offers great sound quality for the price, with a waterproof shell that's ideal for listening to your favorite tunes poolside. It's rated IPX7 for water resistance, meaning you can immerse it in up to a meter of water for thirty minutes without issue. The overall build quality is quite good, and its small, lightweight design helps you take it wherever you go.

    This speaker is also a great choice for music lovers. It has a clean and clear sound out of the box, and many customization options are available to switch up its performance. For example, you find a graphic EQ in its companion app and a BassUp button on the speaker's side for those days when you want to feel the bass. It also lasts for over 15 hours, which is nice. However, it doesn't have the same 360-degree design as the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3, meaning you don't get a consistent sound from all angles. It's fine if you plan to use it on a countertop or a shelf, but the Ultimate Ears is the better bet for pool parties and beach days where you plan to sit all around your speaker.

    See our review

  4. Best Budget Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

    The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is another budget-friendly choice with a waterproof build. It's a small, lightweight speaker available in several colors, and the manufacturer advertises it to float in water. Take it with you to your next pool party to enjoy a clear and detailed sound, and it's also rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, like our top picks. It's a well-built speaker, too, and the manufacturer says it can withstand small drops and falls when you're on the go.

    With a clean and clear sound out-of-the-box, this speaker is great for listening to many different types of audio content. You can rock out to your favorite songs at the pool or the lake, and the Outdoor EQ mode ensures a crisp sound even in those larger and more open outdoor spaces. That said, it doesn't have a companion app like the Anker Soundcore Motion+, and you don't have access to many customization tools to switch up its sound. Still, if you prefer a simpler speaker, you may find it a better value. It even lasts a little longer off a single charge, with an impressive 22-hour battery life.

    See our review

  5. Best Cheap Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

    The Anker Soundcore 3 is the best cheap waterproof Bluetooth speaker we've tested. For an affordable price, this small and lightweight device offers a solid sound in a waterproof shell. Like many of our top picks, it's rated IPX7 for water resistance, so you can submerse it in water without issue. Since it lasts for over thirteen hours off a single charge, it's a great choice for listening to music while on the go, even if it doesn't last quite as long as the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3.

    This speaker offers a balanced sound out-of-the-box, making it suitable for listening to most music genres. It lacks a bit of bass and treble, but you can always make up for this using its graphic EQ and presets in its companion app. There's even a BassUp feature designed to increase the bass in the mix, which is a nice touch. Still, even with the bass turned up, this small speaker can't bring an extended thump and rumble in the low-bass. However, it's still worth a look if you're on a tight budget.

    See our review

  6. Best Smart Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

    Smart speakers are handy devices that offer built-in support for voice assistants, so you get hands-free control right from the comfort of your couch. The Sonos Roam is the best waterproof smart speaker we've tested, and whether you need to add ingredients to your shopping list, check the weather, or solve a math problem on the go, Alexa and Google Assistant are ready to help. More privacy-conscious users can even mute the microphone when the voice assistants aren't in use, which is a nice touch. You'll want to make sure you pick up the original Roam, though, as the SL variant comes without a microphone, so it doesn't support voice assistants.

    It's the manufacturer's most portable option, with a small, lightweight design that's great for taking the party wherever you go. It's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance; the manufacturer also says it's drop-resistant. Plus, it comes with Sonos' room correction feature, called TruePlay, to optimize its output based on your room's unique acoustics for the best possible sound. You can even pair it up with other devices in your Sonos ecosystem. Its five-hour battery life pales compared to top picks like the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3, but still, if you want a waterproof smart speaker, it's a great option.

    See our review

  7. Best Waterproof Speaker For Parties

    The JBL PartyBox 310 is the best waterproof party speaker we've tested. It has an IPX4 rating for water resistance that certifies it to withstand small splashes of water, so you can use it at your next pool party without worrying about getting it a bit wet. Thanks to the graphic EQ in its companion app, it has a boomy sound profile with lots of rumble in the bass, and you can customize it to your liking. It also comes with customizable RGB lights and mic and guitar inputs, which is great for karaoke lovers.

    However, while it has a built-in telescopic handle and wheels to help transport it, it's still bulky and large. If you're looking for a smaller, more portable option, check out the Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM, which can also withstand small water splashes. It gets very loud with little compression at max volume, so your audio remains clean and clear-sounding when the volume maxes out. However, it doesn't have light features or inputs to wire external instruments to the speaker.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Sony SRS-XB100: The Sony SRS-XB100 is one of the smallest speakers we've tested, so it's a portable option. Rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, it can withstand the elements well. However, its sound isn't as customizable as that of the Anker Soundcore 3. See our review
  • Sony SRS-XG500: The Sony SRS-XG500 is a portable party speaker that's better built than the JBL PartyBox 310. It's rated IP66 for dust and water resistance, meaning it's certified to be dust-tight and protected against direct contact with water for up to three minutes. It doesn't get as loud as the JBL, and there's more compression at max volume, slightly degrading audio reproduction. See our review
  • Anker Soundcore Flare 2: The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 is another great budget-friendly pick with an IPX7 rating for water resistance. It can't float in water like the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3, but it does come with a graphic EQ for sound customization, which some users may prefer. See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Sep 07, 2023: Replaced the Anker Soundcore 2 with the next-generation Anker Soundcore 3 as 'Best Cheap'. In the Notable Mentions, replaced the Sony SRS-XB13 with the next-gen Sony SRS-XB100.

  2. Jul 13, 2023: Added the more premium JBL Boombox 3 as the 'Best Speaker' to address a higher end of the market.

  3. May 17, 2023: The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3's price has fallen to match our mid-range pick, the Sony SRS-XE300. Since the Ultimate Ears is the better speaker, it remains on the list. We've added the Anker Soundcore Motion+ as the new mid-range pick.

  4. Mar 21, 2023: Due to pricing changes, the Anker Soundcore Flare 2 is now more expensive than the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3. As the Ultimate Ears is the better speaker overall, it's the best budget pick. The Anker is moved to the Notable Mentions.

  5. Jan 20, 2023: No changes in product picks after verifying their accuracy and availability.

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best speakers that are waterproof for most people to buy, according to their needs. We factor in the price (cheaper speakers win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no speakers that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our reviews for Bluetooth speakers, filtered by water resistance (IPX4 and above). Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect speakers. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.