Looking to upgrade your audio for your next trip? Finding a Bluetooth speaker that can hold up against water, sand and bumpy roads no longer means compromising on sound quality and portability. There are thousands of waterproof Bluetooth speakers to choose from – and we’ve narrowed down the best options for you.
Tribit Stormbox Micro (Photo: Amazon)
Audio technology has gone up a notch in the past few years and, thanks to Bluetooth, it’s now possible to blare your music wherever you go. Innovative waterproofing technology means you can take your Bluetooth speaker into the shower and the sea, without sacrificing sound balance or range either. Whether you’re looking for a backpack-friendly budget speaker or one that can do the soundtrack to your sunny holiday justice, there’s something for everyone’s tastes. We’ve selected ten of the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers based on customer reviews and editorial reviews from a range of reputable news and niche outlets. This selection takes into consideration price, design, sound quality, water resistance and additional factors, such as pairability and extra-long battery life.
Tribit Stormbox Micro
This is one of the smallest waterproof Bluetooth speakers on the market, but it still packs a mighty punch. CNN, Forbes and Tom’s Guide have all voted it one of the best, despite its small price tag. Thousands of users have commented on sound quality and battery life, but what really sells this speaker is its portability. Smaller than the size of your hand, you can clip it on your bicycle bars or onto your bag – and you won’t need to wait long for it to fill the space with sound either. With IP67 water protection and dust protection, you can drop it in the pool or in the desert without damaging it too. From $49.99.
Buy at Amazon.com
Anker Soundcore Two
Anker Soundcore Two (Photo: Amazon)
Proof that you don’t need to fork out big bucks for the best, the Anker Soundcore Two offers big sound on a budget. Its diminutive size doesn’t detract from the sound quality, which is well-balanced with 12W of audio power and enhanced bass thunders for pounding bass. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with users quick to highlight the quality of tone, depth and level of sound output. It’s popular with experts too, securing recommendations from the likes of Toms Guide and Tech Radar. However, it’s worth noting that with an IPX5 rating, the speakers can only hold up against splashes and light showers rather than total submersion. From $69.99.
Buy at Amazon.com
Fugoo Sport 2.0
Waterproof, mud-proof, snow-resistant and sand-proof, the Fugoo Sport 2.0 is an excellent all-rounder that won’t blow your budget. It lacks an in-built microphone and smart assistance but it’s simple and straightforward to use – ideal for those looking for a hardwearing waterproof Bluetooth speaker without any frills. It’s IP67 rated, so you can submerge the speaker in water without any issues. Unlike some of the higher-spec Bluetooth speakers, the Fugoo is practically drop-proof too thanks to its resilient casing. In fact, on Amazon, it rates the full five stars on the quality of material. From $89.99
LG xBoom Go
LG xBoom Go (Photo: Amazon)
The LG xBoom Go is a good-looking speaker, sporting a cylindrical shape, integrated lighting and a soft-touch finish. Its strengths go beyond the superficial too; for a small package, it packs a booming bass and impressive clarity of sound. While it isn’t completely waterproof, it is IPX5 water-resistant which means it can hold its own against low-pressure water jets and splashes – ideal for sunny days by the pool or at the beach but not one to take in the jacuzzi with you. Reviewers are quick to praise its 24-hour battery life, rich and powerful bass, and pairing capabilities. Sneaking it at under $100, it’s wallet-friendly too. From $80.
Buy at Amazon.com
UE Wonderboom
The UE Wonderboom is one of the highest-rated waterproof Bluetooth speakers on the market, and it’s a steal at under $100 too. Reviewers rave about its cylindrical design that pumps out sound from all directions, 100-ft range and pairing capabilities. It’s rated IPx7 – about as waterproof as you can get — so you can take it in the shower, float it in the pool and hold it high above your head on a rainy hike. On Amazon, it scores an impressive 4.7 out of 8,792 reviews and it is recommended editorially by the likes of the NY Times, The Verge and TechRadar. From $99.
Buy at Amazon.com
Sony SRSXB33 Extra Bass
Sony SRSXB33 Extra Bass (Photo: Amazon)
There’s not much this Japanese conglomerate can’t do, and these speakers are a case in point. Online reviews for the speakers are overwhelmingly positive, with hundreds of users commenting on its premium feel, sound quality and water resistance. Design-wise it’s superb, modelled after a boom box with an in-built light system that dances to the music. It’s beach-ready too – sturdy and salt-resistant. This iteration of the already-popular SRSXB33 features an extra bass speaker for a deep, punchy sound that’s guaranteed to get any party started. Battery life also lasts up to 24 hours. From $148.
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JBL Charge 5
This mid-range waterproof Bluetooth speaker doesn’t sacrifice sound quality or style. It also offers some of the best waterproof protection on the market with an IP67 rating, which you can dunk in up to a metre underwater for 30 minutes without damaging it. Battery life is excellent with 20 hours of playback and it also boasts a nifty power bank for charging other devices too. It’s totally dust-resistant, so perfect for camping trips and beach holidays. There are thousands of happy customers on Amazon giving it five-star reviews for its battery life, sound range and quality, and lightweight design too. From $179.
Buy at Amazon.com
Bang and Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd generation
Bang and Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd generation (Photo: Amazon)
This Danish audio giant has been making award-winning sound systems for over a century, so it’s no surprise that this speaker is a winner. Available in five different colours, it features a sleek, paracetamol shape design with subtle controls on either side of the speaker. Amazon users rate its small footprint, reliability and long battery life highly, while national newspapers across the globe have fallen over themselves to give the speakers top marks. As well as being entirely waterproof, they’re also dust and sand resistant – the perfect outdoors holiday companion. From $227
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Sonos Roam
Sonos is a blockbuster name in the Bluetooth speaker world, renowned for its multiroom music playback, smart assistance and sound quality. The Sonos Roam is no exception, seamlessly syncing voice, app and button command and allowing users to manage music through a single word – perfect for the beach. It’s IP67-rated too, which means it’s fully waterproof and can be fully submerged underwater for up to 30 minutes without doing any harm. Reviews on Amazon describe it as “the perfect summer companion”. It’s around the same size as a 16-ounce can of beer and boasts 10 hours of listening time, so you can just as happily throw it in your backpack in torrential rain as you can listening to it on a lilo in the pool. From $229.
Buy at Amazon.com
UE Hyperboom
UE Hyperboom (Photo: Amazon)
Ultimate Ears’ Hyperbole Bluetooth speaker is its biggest and bassiest yet. There’s been a lot of hype around this latest addition, but reviewers are practically unanimous in admitting that it does live up to it. At 364 mm and 5.9 kg tall it’s not the most portable speaker around, but it is splash-proof (IPX4), dust-proof and extremely sturdy. This is one to take onto the beach, where chances of a torrential downpour are minimal. But people aren’t buying this so they can lug it around, it’s really all about that sound. Featuring two 114 mm woofers and a pair of 25mm tweeters, it can pump out some serious noise and the audio balance is top-notch too. It’s the most expensive entry on our list, but if money is no obstacle it’s definitely one to consider.
From $400
Buy at Amazon.com