The Best Waterproof Speakers That Are Ready to Join You For Your Next Beach Day

When it comes to a rocking pool party, you need to have an excellent waterproof speaker on-hand to deliver the tunes. Built for rugged performance, loud sound, quick-connect features, and of course, armored with water-friendly materials, the best waterproof speakers look good, sound great, last a long time, and will keep your friends and family coming back for more.

If you’re searching for the best waterproof speaker for summer, then keep scrolling to see the top options we’ve tested. As professional product reviewers, we’ve tested dozens of speakers already in 2024, and we’re confident we’ve collected only the very best waterproof speakers for your consideration.

Full Review: We Threw the Beosound A1 Speaker Into the Pool

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The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen Bluetooth Speaker is one of the most expensive on our list, but we also think it is the best waterproof speaker. Honestly, it changed our idea of what a waterproof speaker is and what it should look like. It is lightweight and round — and fits in the palm of your hand. The pearl-blasted aluminum is sturdy yet stylish, and the waterproof leather strap is great for carrying or hanging on a door handle, shower head or the handlebars of an exercise bike. The IP67 rating means that it is dust-tight, and can be (and has been) fully submerged in water.

Another reason we love this speaker: It has a built-in three microphone array, can be used as a speakerphone while taking video calls on a laptop, and Alexa Voice Assistant lets you issue voice commands

The Beosound A1 2nd Gen speaker provides superb 360-degree sound and up to 18 hours of playtime, connects via Bluetooth 5.1 and has a USB-C connection. On Amazon, color choices are Nordic ice, black anthracite, gray mist and pink — but on the company’s website, you can also choose green, gold-tone and the Berluti edition.

Full Review: The Sonos Roam Is the Perfect Portable Speaker

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The Sonos Roam is a SPY favorite, with many of us proclaiming it as the “perfect portable speaker” and the “new gold standard”. While its battery life isn’t as impressive as some of the larger speakers on this list, it packs incredible sound into its compact frame. For summer fun, it’s also IP67 rated, which means it’s both fully water and dustproof.

If you already have Sonos speakers around your home, then this is definitely the best waterproof speaker for your abode. Even if you aren’t a Sonos household, the Sonos Roam has some impressive and unique features. Not only is the Sonos Roam a Bluetooth speaker, but it will also connect automatically to your home’s WiFi, resulting in a better connection and better sound. On top of that, the Roam also uses a special AI-powered microphone and software to automatically analyze the acoustics of the environment and adjust the sound levels accordingly.

The end result? One of the best waterproof speakers in the world, especially if you’re looking for a speaker to keep around the house.

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It was a photo finish between the Beosound A1 2nd Gen, the Sonos Roam and the Ultimate Ears (also known as UE) Megaboom 3 Speaker as the overall best waterproof speaker. There’s so much to love about this speaker, and, as you can guess by the title, the bass is loud and clear (with no distortion).

In addition to 360-degree sound, we love not having to fumble with a lot of buttons. There’s one “magic button” that is used to play, pause and skip tracks. The speaker is rated IP67 and can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes — and it even floats. That’s in addition to being dust-, sand- and drop-proof.

Downloading the Boom and Megaboom App provides access to the equalizer and allows you to turn on remote power and set up playlists. With a battery life of up to 20 hours, we didn’t have to recharge often. The speaker uses Bluetooth, and we appreciated the ability of connecting up to two devices at one time. It has a micro USB connection and is available in several beautiful colors, including lagoon blue, sunset red and night black (and, on the Ultimate Ears website, ultraviolet purple).

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JBL makes many types of portable speakers, and it was hard choosing between the JBL Flip 6 Waterproof Speaker and the JBL Charge 5 Waterproof Speaker. However, the Charge 5 prevailed as the best waterproof speaker between the two. It’s one of our favorite models, and we love that it has a built-in power bank, so we can charge our phones with it. The speaker continues the tradition of being rugged (it has an IP67 rating) and delivers the great sound that we’ve come to expect from JBL.

The PartyBoost function lets us pair two JBL speakers. Another feature we like: the grooves underneath keep the speaker from rolling all over the place. The speaker provides 20 hours of playtime and uses Bluetooth 5.1, and a USB-C connector. It’s available in black, blue, camouflage, red, gray, and teal.

Full Review: JBL Flip 6

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When you need your waterproof speaker to sound like it’s best friends with an unseen subwoofer, you’re going to have your work cut out for you. Fortunately, JBL knows that there are all kinds of listeners, and most of us want supreme bass, even if we don’t want the thud all the time. To that end, we now have the almighty JBL Flip 6, and we’re huge fans all-around.

It’s portable, lightweight, IP67 rated, and touts up to 14 hours of playtime, but perhaps the best part of JBL’s mini-champ is its low-end capabilities. It’s frankly surprising how much bass this little speaker pumps out, and if you’re in need of even more rumble, you can tap into PartyBoost, which allows you to link the Flip 6 up to another JBL-compatible speaker for bigger and better sound-staging. 

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We loved the hard-hitting performance of the original Marshall Emberton Speaker, but the developers have gone back to the drawing board, and here we are with the tweaked and evolved sequel to the waterproof speaker made by the folks who probably made your guitar amp: the Marshall Emberton II. 

Every Bluetooth speaker-maker has a huge feat to tackle from the get-go: Creating a speaker that can fill as much available audio real estate as possible, while working with a relatively small chassis. Marshall more than delivers on this end with its awesome True Stereophonic feature, which calibrates sound to project in an immersive 360-degree fashion, giving you highs and lows from every conceivable angle. And we totally dig the fact that this speaker is IP67 rated, making it close to waterproof and ensuring the Emberton II will come back from every drop and ding you put it through.

We also love Stack Mode, a pair-and-share feature that lets you group multiple Emberton II speakers together for an unbelievable rock-concert-like experience.

Full Review: Bose Portable Smart Speaker

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The Bose Portable Smart Speaker is water-resistant as opposed to waterproof. It has an IPX4 rating and can withstand sprays and splashes, and even bumps and drops. This was the first portable speaker (circa summer 2020) that we felt comfortable using around any type of water, and we appreciated the ability to use the Bose Music App for step-by-step instructions on how to set it up and pair with other Bose speakers.

SPY’s Tech Editor, John Velasco, was surprised by its incredible sound quality for a speaker of its size. “Bose knocks it out of the park in terms of sound quality,” explained Velasco in his review. “If you love listening to music, your ears will certainly appreciate the rich and vibrant tones the Bose portable smart speaker is able to achieve.”

It also has a flexible handle for easy transport, and a microphone array to use it as a voice-controlled speaker with Alexa to make phone calls or play various music services like Spotify. And since it’s a Bose and provides 360 degrees of the level of sound expected of Bose, we also enjoyed using the speaker indoors. It supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and has a USB-C connection. The two color choices are triple black and luxe silver.

Read More: The Best Bluetooth Speakers

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You have to admit that the StormBox is the coolest-sounding speaker on the list, and it lives up to its name. Tribit is known for punching above its weight, which is why this compact sound box made our list of the best waterproof speakers for your consideration.

It has an IP67 rating, so it’s fully waterproof, and the flexible strap makes it easy to transport. The speaker, which has a 24-hour battery life, also provides 360-degree stereo sound. The built-in powerbank can be used to charge our phones, and the speaker (which uses Bluetooth 5.0 and has a USB-C input and USB-A output) can be paired with another Tribit speaker as well. The speaker also has a microphone for phone calls.

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Anker’s Soundcore Motion+ Speaker is one of the most popular portable Bluetooth speakers on Amazon, and we can see why. It’s ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, and the speaker provides hi-res audio that doesn’t skimp on the bass. And for the price, the bass is quite impressive.

SPY contributor, Terri Williams, enjoyed the ability to use the Soundcore App to adjust the treble, bass and other settings. The speaker has an IPX7 rating and a battery life of 12 hours. It uses Bluetooth 5.0 and connects via USB-C. There’s also an option to pair two Motion+ speakers. The Motion+ is available in black, blue and red.

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This may be the best waterproof speaker for raves, if you’re into that sort of thing. The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 Bluetooth Speaker is so much fun because of its light effects. With LED lights on the top and bottom of the speaker, you can create a light show using the Soundcore app with the 24 rainbow LEDs flashing to the beat of the music. And we’ve found it mesmerizes both kids and adults.

The speaker, which provides 360-degree sound with booming bass, is also rated IPX7 and has a 12-hour playtime. It uses Bluetooth and connects via USB-C, and there’s an option to pair it with other Flare 2 speakers.

Full Review: Bang & Olufsen Explore Is Worthy of Your Next Pool Party

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The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore is slightly bigger than the size of a 12-ounce soda and has a weatherproof strap on the back that makes it easy to carry. There’s also a carabiner clip that makes it easy to attach the speaker to our backpacks.

We love the speaker’s modern, beautiful design because it’s both rugged and stylish and has physical controls, which are more suitable for outdoor use. It has an IP67 rating, so if it gets dusty or dirty, a quick brush or rinse will have it like new again. The speaker is also sand-proof and scratch-resistant.

It has a ridiculously-long 27-hour battery life. “The battery life is also impressive,” detailed SPY contributor Erin Lawrence. She also praised its sound performance. “The sound of the Explore is excellent and quite well balanced, with no lean to either the high or low end,” Lawrence said in her review.

The true 360-degree sound includes impressive bass, and the Bang & Olufsen App allows you to adjust settings and customize the sound. The Beosound Explore uses Bluetooth 5.2 and connects via USB-C to USB-A cable. It’s available in black anthracite, gray mist, chestnut, green and navy. Though the design here is small, it’s very much a complete speaker, which earned it a spot in our best waterproof speakers lineup — well deserved.

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If you’re looking for the best waterproof speakers to mount on the patio or by the pool, look on further. This pair of Polk Audio Atrium 5 Outdoor Speakers can be posted up vertically or horizontally, and uses one-click speed lock mounting brackets.

The speakers are designed to be all-weather outdoor speakers. This means that they can withstand extreme temperatures, heavy rain, UV and even salt. The speakers don’t have an IP rating because they have an industrial environmental endurance rating (ASTM D5894-UV Salt Fog, Mil Standard 810 Immersion, Mil-Std 883 Method 1009.8 for salt and corrosion).

The speakers have an aluminum grille and bracket and use stainless steel and brass hardware designed to resist rust. And without being bulky and heavy, they produce loud, clear audio and powerful bass. In addition, the speakers have built-in stability feet, which allow them to be placed on a shelf or other flat surface.

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If you plan to take the party wherever you go, the Soundcore Motion Boom Plus Speaker can certainly make you the designated DJ. It’s a whopping 15.31 inches long and heavy for a portable waterproof speaker at 5.29 lbs. But fortunately, it has both a handle and a strong shoulder strap, so transporting it is not a problem.

The sound is what we’ve come to expect from Soundcore’s Boom speakers: It really can power a party and has enough bass to keep everyone dancing. And since the speaker has an IP67 rating, that party can be at a pool, on the beach or in the rain. The battery lasts up to 20 hours, and compatible Soundcore speakers can be paired wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3. There’s also a 3.5mm Aux input and a USB-C port.

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The Sony SRS-XB23 is one of the toughest waterproof speakers on the market, bar-none. It has an IP67 rating, and is both waterproof and salt-water resistant so it is impervious to rust. It’s also dustproof and even shockproof, so it can endure bumps and knocks. One of our favorite features is (or was) the ability to use it vertically or horizontally, and the removable strap makes it easy to carry.

Battery life is 12 hours, and the speaker uses Bluetooth and has a USB-C port. It can also connect with compatible speakers and the Sony Music Center App provides additional functionality. Plus, the speakerphone provides hands-free calls. The speaker is available in light blue, black, coral red, olive green and taupe. Consider this, not only the best waterproof speaker, but the best foolproof speaker as well.

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Waterproof vs. Water Resistant

When shopping for waterproof speakers that can hang out by the poolside with you, you’re going to come across terms like “waterproof” and “water resistant” fairly often. And to make matters a bit more confusing, these marketing keywords aren’t exactly interchangeable. Allow us to clear things up for you.

“Waterproof” means that whatever speaker (or any other water-friendly item you may want to buy) is completely protected from any and all forms of water. In terms of speakers, these are the models that you could literally dunk in the chlorinated pool-water and they would still operate as if chilling on land (think the UE Wonderboom 3). So whether you’re contending with heavy rain or want a speaker around for your next splash-tastic event, a waterproof speaker is 100% invulnerable to liquid.

“Water resistant” on the other hand is not so invulnerable. When you see the word “resistant,” it’s a good idea to take a closer look at exactly how much water your speaker of choice can handle, because the term means that while the device can withstand some forms of liquid for certain periods of time, it’s not designed to hold back the floodgates forever. Fortunately, if you’re looking into speakers for your pool/patio space, a majority of these products will be armored to the teeth against H20, with “waterproof” typically winning over “water resistant.”

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What You Should Look For in Waterproof Speakers

When trying to decide between waterproof speakers, there are several important factors to consider. In addition to our own testing experience, we consulted with Carl Prouty, a technologist at Abt Electronics in Glenview, Illinois, to determine the most important features. Depending on your budget, you may consider cost to be the primary driver in your decision. However, consider these other factors when shopping for the best waterproof speaker for you.

IP Rating

When shopping for a waterproof or water-resistant speaker, it needs to have a high IP (ingress protection) rating. “The higher the IP rating, the more resistant to water and dust it will be, so you’re looking for something like IP67 rated,” Prouty says. So, what do these numbers mean?

The first number is the dust protection rating. A rating of 5 means the speaker is dust-protected, and a 6 means that it is dust-tight. “The second number relates to water resistance, and on a scale of 1 to 8, an 8 means it is the most water-resistant,” he says.

However, most consumer products top out at 7, which is protection against temporary immersion in water. And depending on your usage, you may not need an 8-level. For example, a 6 provides protection from a powerful water jet, a 5 provides protection from water jets (as long as it’s not “powerful), and a 4 rating protects against splashing water. An X rating means there’s no information available.

And here’s something else to keep in mind as you’re considering water and dust protection. According to Sony, all of the speaker’s ports and covers should be completely closed to protect against water and dust. Also, Sony notes that dropping the speaker or subjecting it to mechanical shock could deteriorate waterproof and dust-proof performance.

Battery Life

The waterproof speaker’s battery life is another consideration. “If you’re not near a power source, you’ll need to make sure the speaker’s battery will last long enough for your needs,” Prouty says. You’ll also notice that we list battery life as “up to,” since actual battery life will depend on how loud the music is — and when you pump up the volume, you’re draining the battery quicker than if you played music at a lower volume.

Size

Size is one of the most important considerations. “But it’s also important to remember, the bigger the battery, the larger the speaker, so you may need to reprioritize the importance of those categories,” Prouty says. Smaller speakers take up less space, making them easy to toss into your laptop bags or backpacks. On the other hand, some of the larger speakers have shoulder straps and while these speakers are bulky, the strap does make them easier to carry.

Extra Features

Depending on your preferences, extra features may be a determining factor. “Some waterproof speakers offer the ability to charge a device off the speaker’s internal battery,” Prouty says. “Some can be paired with a second speaker to create a stereo pair. Some will only work with Bluetooth, while others will also work with Wi-Fi.”

Sound

Sound quality is perhaps most important feature to consider, and Prouty warns that not all speakers are created equal. “The larger the speaker, the larger the drivers, which often translates into better sound,” he says. “But if you have the option to hear them in person, it’s always a good idea since what sounds good to one person doesn’t always sound the same to the next individual.”