Heading to the beach or the pool? Maybe you're just overdue a long shower – and if you want to take your music with you, you totally can with a waterproof speaker - as long as it's got an IP67 rating that is.
We're still waiting for flying cars and near-sentient robot house cleaners, but waterproof and wireless Bluetooth speakers are one device that technology has already delivered on.
And while no one ever really intends to get their portable speakers wet, accidents and bad weather can happen. If kids are any part of your life you'll know mishaps can be very difficult to avoid.
So even if you're not planning on taking a swim with a Bluetooth speaker strapped to your back, you're still going to love the peace of mind that a waterproof speaker can bring, which is why we've gathered up the best ones for you.
Our aim here is to help you get the most for your money. We've tested a not-so-insignificant amount of portable speakers in our time, and have found a handful that can resist the wonders (and terrors) of the great outdoors.
Stick with us and we'll be sure to find a waterproof speaker that works for your budget and requirements.
What is a waterproof (or water-resistant) speaker?
While waterproof and water-resistant aren't synonymous, they roughly translate to "water won't ruin it".
Waterproof is the better of the two, as it usually carries an IP67 rating that means it can withstand to float in around a meter of water for a half-hour before it bites the dust. Water-resistant, on the other hand, means it could survive a splash or two, but it's not the kind of thing you'd just want to casually throw in the pool.
When hunting for the best waterproof speaker for the great outdoors, look for its IP rating. This is how water resistance gadgets are categorized. You'll see that IP mark, followed by two numbers – IP67 is one of the most common, and means the speaker can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. This is the one you want.
Of course waterproofing isn't the only thing we looked for when picking out this list of top portable speakers. We also considered factors such as sound quality, price and feature set, all of which helped establish a set of criteria that we could measure all speakers against.
What you see below is the result of that effort – our definitive list of the 10 best wireless portable waterproof speakers.
Best waterproof speaker: Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
If you want a waterproof speaker that doesn't look like a waterproof speaker, get the Denon Envaya DSB-250BT.
It'll fit into a classy living room but has IP67 water resistance, letting it withstand a full-on dunk. This is also the best-sounding speaker of its size, with meaty bass and audio balance you might expect from a hifi master like Denon. There's an Envaya Mini if you want something smaller, too.
Any complaints? To make the water resistance work, the speaker has rubbery panels instead of clicky buttons, and they aren't half hard to depress sometimes. But if that isn't a minor quibble, what is?
Read the full review: Denon Envaya
Best waterproof speaker: UE Wonderboom
No speaker begs for the pool as much as the UE Wonderboom, because this waterproof unit comes with a little inflatable ring in the box to let it bob around in the swimming pool on your holiday.
It also stands well above its weight class, with weighty bass for a speaker so small, and music that sounds balanced and rich. You can even pair the Wonderboom with two devices simultaneously.
It may not have the largest soundstage and doesn’t have a speakerphone option, but the Wonderboom still ticks a lot of the right waterproof speaker boxes.
Read the full review: UE Wonderboom
Best waterproof speaker: JBL Charge 3
The JBL Charge 3 presents an incredibly attractive package. This speaker features a battery that can last more than 20 hours – and can even charge your phone in a pinch – and it also features the meatiest bass out of all the waterproof Bluetooth speakers in this list.
The JBL Charge isn’t exactly the most lightweight speaker in the world, but if you’re a bass head and you don’t mind adding a bit of weight to your bag, the Charge 3 might just be for you.
Read the full review: JBL Charge 3
Best waterproof speaker: UE Boom 2
The UE Boom 2 is the UE Wonderboom’s big brother, offering even more precious decibels and finer detail.
This waterproof speaker also lasts about 25% longer than the Wonderboom and has useful features, like NFC and aux-in, for older devices. It’s a little bigger and heavier, but with that added bulk it does offer longer battery life.
Oh, and if you want even more umph, the Megaboom – again from Ultimate Ears – is a pretty great choice, as well.
Read the full review: UE Boom 2
Best waterproof speaker: Fugoo Style
If you still don’t know about Fugoo, you’re certainly missing out on some of the best waterproof speakers in the world. The Fugoo Style not only offers the longest battery life of any speaker on this list (40 hours!), but it also comes in at a tiny one pound.
Fugoo’s design philosophy is to offer different ‘jackets’ (Style, Tough or Sport) to fit around its ‘core’ speaker to fit different styles. The Fugoo Style waterproof speaker offers a great blend of size, sound fidelity and battery life for an affordable price.
Read the full review: Fugoo Style
Best waterproof speaker: JBL Pulse 3
In terms of sheer audio prowess, the JBL Pulse 3 was a pleasant surprise. While it’s light show may lead you to believe that it’s all a gimmick, the Pulse 3 actually offers a very well balanced tonal balance: Highs have good extension but are a little rolled off. Bass offers good slam and texture, but bleeds into the mids a little.
If you’re not an audiophile, none of this matters – it sounds darn good and gets loud, making it the perfect companion for your next pool party. If you want a great sounding Bluetooth speaker that’s both waterproof and a conversation piece, the JBL Pulse 3 is the speaker to get.
Read the full review: JBL Pulse 3
Best waterproof speaker: UE Megaboom
The UE Megaboom is at the very peak of Ultimate Ears’ line of waterproof Bluetooth speakers. Its larger size means that the Megaboom can get loud and can last up to 20 hours at a sensible volume.
Bass is stronger and richer than its smaller UE Boom 2 and Wonderboom brothers, and this is the speaker for anybody who wants to really blare their music at a party. For people who want to save some cash, however, the JBL Charge 3 is half the price and performs similarly.
Read the full review: UE Megaboom
Best waterproof speaker: Bose SoundLink Color II
Bose is well known for making fantastic sounding audio equipment, and the SoundLink Color II is no different. This small speaker packs a stealthy punch, providing deep bass with a nice impact, but it obviously can’t match the sound of the larger waterproof speakers in this list.
Now, while the SoundLink Color II sounds great, you should note that it’s not entirely waterproof. It’ll survive splashes and rain, but you don’t want to drop it in the bath, so be aware of that before buying.
Read the full review: Bose SoundLink Color II
Best waterproof speaker: UE Roll 2
The UE Roll 2 offers a unique disk form factor that’s perfect for taking to the pool. The waterproof speaker comes with its own float, which lets you listen to and control your tunes in the pool, something no other speaker on this list can do.
It might not sound quite as good as the UE Wonderboom, as it’s lacking in the bass department, but it’s still a solid sounding speaker. If you don’t care about the form factor and float, however, the UE Wonderboom is the better buy.
Read the full review: UE Roll 2
Best waterproof speaker: Fugoo Go
The Fugoo Go is a unique waterproof Bluetooth speaker that comes with a built-in bungee cord, like the UE Roll 2, to help you mount it to different things. The Go can also pair with another Go speaker to play in stereo, something that other speakers on this list can’t do.
Sure, UE allows you to pair up multiple speakers for more volume, but you won’t get true stereo playback. While we recommend the Fugoo Style for its class-leading battery life and excellent sound, the Fugoo Go is a good alternative for a lower price if you need a waterproof speaker.
Read the full review: Fugoo Go
Continue reading...
We're still waiting for flying cars and near-sentient robot house cleaners, but waterproof and wireless Bluetooth speakers are one device that technology has already delivered on.
And while no one ever really intends to get their portable speakers wet, accidents and bad weather can happen. If kids are any part of your life you'll know mishaps can be very difficult to avoid.
So even if you're not planning on taking a swim with a Bluetooth speaker strapped to your back, you're still going to love the peace of mind that a waterproof speaker can bring, which is why we've gathered up the best ones for you.
Our aim here is to help you get the most for your money. We've tested a not-so-insignificant amount of portable speakers in our time, and have found a handful that can resist the wonders (and terrors) of the great outdoors.
Stick with us and we'll be sure to find a waterproof speaker that works for your budget and requirements.
What is a waterproof (or water-resistant) speaker?
While waterproof and water-resistant aren't synonymous, they roughly translate to "water won't ruin it".
Waterproof is the better of the two, as it usually carries an IP67 rating that means it can withstand to float in around a meter of water for a half-hour before it bites the dust. Water-resistant, on the other hand, means it could survive a splash or two, but it's not the kind of thing you'd just want to casually throw in the pool.
When hunting for the best waterproof speaker for the great outdoors, look for its IP rating. This is how water resistance gadgets are categorized. You'll see that IP mark, followed by two numbers – IP67 is one of the most common, and means the speaker can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. This is the one you want.
Of course waterproofing isn't the only thing we looked for when picking out this list of top portable speakers. We also considered factors such as sound quality, price and feature set, all of which helped establish a set of criteria that we could measure all speakers against.
What you see below is the result of that effort – our definitive list of the 10 best wireless portable waterproof speakers.
Best waterproof speaker: Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
If you want a waterproof speaker that doesn't look like a waterproof speaker, get the Denon Envaya DSB-250BT.
It'll fit into a classy living room but has IP67 water resistance, letting it withstand a full-on dunk. This is also the best-sounding speaker of its size, with meaty bass and audio balance you might expect from a hifi master like Denon. There's an Envaya Mini if you want something smaller, too.
Any complaints? To make the water resistance work, the speaker has rubbery panels instead of clicky buttons, and they aren't half hard to depress sometimes. But if that isn't a minor quibble, what is?
Read the full review: Denon Envaya
Best waterproof speaker: UE Wonderboom
No speaker begs for the pool as much as the UE Wonderboom, because this waterproof unit comes with a little inflatable ring in the box to let it bob around in the swimming pool on your holiday.
It also stands well above its weight class, with weighty bass for a speaker so small, and music that sounds balanced and rich. You can even pair the Wonderboom with two devices simultaneously.
It may not have the largest soundstage and doesn’t have a speakerphone option, but the Wonderboom still ticks a lot of the right waterproof speaker boxes.
Read the full review: UE Wonderboom
Best waterproof speaker: JBL Charge 3
The JBL Charge 3 presents an incredibly attractive package. This speaker features a battery that can last more than 20 hours – and can even charge your phone in a pinch – and it also features the meatiest bass out of all the waterproof Bluetooth speakers in this list.
The JBL Charge isn’t exactly the most lightweight speaker in the world, but if you’re a bass head and you don’t mind adding a bit of weight to your bag, the Charge 3 might just be for you.
Read the full review: JBL Charge 3
Best waterproof speaker: UE Boom 2
The UE Boom 2 is the UE Wonderboom’s big brother, offering even more precious decibels and finer detail.
This waterproof speaker also lasts about 25% longer than the Wonderboom and has useful features, like NFC and aux-in, for older devices. It’s a little bigger and heavier, but with that added bulk it does offer longer battery life.
Oh, and if you want even more umph, the Megaboom – again from Ultimate Ears – is a pretty great choice, as well.
Read the full review: UE Boom 2
Best waterproof speaker: Fugoo Style
If you still don’t know about Fugoo, you’re certainly missing out on some of the best waterproof speakers in the world. The Fugoo Style not only offers the longest battery life of any speaker on this list (40 hours!), but it also comes in at a tiny one pound.
Fugoo’s design philosophy is to offer different ‘jackets’ (Style, Tough or Sport) to fit around its ‘core’ speaker to fit different styles. The Fugoo Style waterproof speaker offers a great blend of size, sound fidelity and battery life for an affordable price.
Read the full review: Fugoo Style
- This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the UE Wonderboom
Best waterproof speaker: JBL Pulse 3
In terms of sheer audio prowess, the JBL Pulse 3 was a pleasant surprise. While it’s light show may lead you to believe that it’s all a gimmick, the Pulse 3 actually offers a very well balanced tonal balance: Highs have good extension but are a little rolled off. Bass offers good slam and texture, but bleeds into the mids a little.
If you’re not an audiophile, none of this matters – it sounds darn good and gets loud, making it the perfect companion for your next pool party. If you want a great sounding Bluetooth speaker that’s both waterproof and a conversation piece, the JBL Pulse 3 is the speaker to get.
Read the full review: JBL Pulse 3
Best waterproof speaker: UE Megaboom
The UE Megaboom is at the very peak of Ultimate Ears’ line of waterproof Bluetooth speakers. Its larger size means that the Megaboom can get loud and can last up to 20 hours at a sensible volume.
Bass is stronger and richer than its smaller UE Boom 2 and Wonderboom brothers, and this is the speaker for anybody who wants to really blare their music at a party. For people who want to save some cash, however, the JBL Charge 3 is half the price and performs similarly.
Read the full review: UE Megaboom
Best waterproof speaker: Bose SoundLink Color II
Bose is well known for making fantastic sounding audio equipment, and the SoundLink Color II is no different. This small speaker packs a stealthy punch, providing deep bass with a nice impact, but it obviously can’t match the sound of the larger waterproof speakers in this list.
Now, while the SoundLink Color II sounds great, you should note that it’s not entirely waterproof. It’ll survive splashes and rain, but you don’t want to drop it in the bath, so be aware of that before buying.
Read the full review: Bose SoundLink Color II
Best waterproof speaker: UE Roll 2
The UE Roll 2 offers a unique disk form factor that’s perfect for taking to the pool. The waterproof speaker comes with its own float, which lets you listen to and control your tunes in the pool, something no other speaker on this list can do.
It might not sound quite as good as the UE Wonderboom, as it’s lacking in the bass department, but it’s still a solid sounding speaker. If you don’t care about the form factor and float, however, the UE Wonderboom is the better buy.
Read the full review: UE Roll 2
Best waterproof speaker: Fugoo Go
The Fugoo Go is a unique waterproof Bluetooth speaker that comes with a built-in bungee cord, like the UE Roll 2, to help you mount it to different things. The Go can also pair with another Go speaker to play in stereo, something that other speakers on this list can’t do.
Sure, UE allows you to pair up multiple speakers for more volume, but you won’t get true stereo playback. While we recommend the Fugoo Style for its class-leading battery life and excellent sound, the Fugoo Go is a good alternative for a lower price if you need a waterproof speaker.
Read the full review: Fugoo Go
- This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the UE Roll 2
Continue reading...