Hanging out poolside, at the lake, or on the beach just isn't the same without your favorite playlist setting the soundtrack. Unfortunately, your current speaker is clunky, heavy, and needs to be plugged into the wall. (Let’s also not even mention the fact that it might completely croak if it encountered the slightest bit of moisture.) If you can relate to this sad audio scenario, then we hate to break it to you, but you’re in desperate need of a waterproof Bluetooth speaker.
Besides protecting your beats when a sudden shower rains down on your backyard barbecue, a waterproof Bluetooth speaker gives you the freedom to throw an epic pool party without worrying about your clumsiest friend destroying your expensive new device when they accidentally fumble it into the deep end. Some portable outdoor speakers even float in the water, which is not only convenient for quick recovery, but also turns it into a cool feature piece to show off to your guests.
The benefits are endless, really, so there’s surely no need for us to convince you any further. However, there are hundreds of different Bluetooth speakers out there, and it can be hard to pick one based on your budget and needs. The good news is that we did the work for you and researched the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers for the job. But before we jump into our suggestions, let’s talk a little bit about the features you’ll want to consider before deciding the speaker that’s best for you.
Why should I choose a Bluetooth speaker?
When you want to take your tunes outside, you don't want to worry about wires and outlets or any other external power source to keep your speaker pumping. Fortunately, you don't have to when you're working with the absolute godsend that is Bluetooth technology. All you've got to do is wirelessly pair your smartphone with your speaker, then pull up your music-streaming app on your phone and hit play. Depending on the battery life of your speaker, you're set for easy, uninterrupted listening for hours and hours to come. Just keep in mind that they will need periodic charging, so pencil in some time to bring 'em indoors for some juice.
Another advantage to Bluetooth speakers is that you can often hook up two or more of them together to provide impressive stereo sound and wider coverage over an indoor or outdoor space, which is perfect for keeping the fun vibes consistent throughout larger parties.
Are water-resistant Bluetooth speakers waterproof?
There are a few key factors you’ll want to focus on when purchasing a suitable outdoor speaker. First and foremost, you need to know that not all waterproofing is the same, no matter what a low-rate manufacturer might try to trick you into believing. That’s why you want to pay close attention to the device’s IP rating, a measurement of how waterproof — or merely water-resistant — it is. (And if an IP rating isn’t clearly stated, run as far away from that speaker as you can because that puppy probably isn’t water-resistant, let alone waterproof.) These ratings can be a little confusing if you’re not sure what each one means, so we’ll explain that in a moment. But the main thing that is crucially important to know is that water resistance is not the same as waterproof — not even close.
Water resistance is not the same as waterproof — not even close.
A water-resistant speaker will typically be rated IPX5 or lower, meaning it can certainly survive a splash or a sprinkle here and there, or even a steady stream of water. But if you're looking for a speaker to stand up to the elements (and accidents), you need one with a much higher waterproof rating. Most often, you’ll see ratings of IPX6 or IPX7, which means that a device will survive a good soaking or even complete submersion, respectively. However, if you're looking for a Bluetooth speaker that's truly outdoorsy and weatherproof, you'll want to opt for one with an IP67 rating.
Yes, we know. They threw an extra number in there. But that actually lets you know the device is not only waterproof and able to withstand being submerged in a meter of water for up to 30 minutes, but it's also dustproof, dirtproof, sandproof, and pretty much all other debris-proof, too. (Where IP6X denotes a fully dustproof device and IPX7 denotes one of the most waterproof ratings, you join them together and get the rating IP67. Tah-dah!) So, with this epically protective IP rating, you should then be confident in taking your weatherproof speaker everywhere from sandy beaches to dusty campsites without worrying that wet or windy conditions will muck it up.
What is considered good battery life for a waterproof Bluetooth speaker?
Another crucial aspect to consider when choosing your waterproof Bluetooth speaker is battery life. In most, if not all, cases, you’re probably going to want a versatile speaker that you can take beyond your backyard from time to time, so you’re not going to want to lug a charger with you, too. (As if there would even be someplace to plug it in at your outdoor destination.) That said, not having to worry about your speaker crapping out for the entirety of your outing is ideal here. If you’re just headed out for the day, six to 12 hours would probably be just fine. But if you’re going away for a weekend, or you don’t want to have to worry about charging often even when you’re at home, you’ll want to opt for a speaker that can give you upwards of 20-24 hours of uninterrupted audio bliss.
What is the wireless range for a waterproof Bluetooth speaker?
Wireless range is another big thing to consider when deciding on a Bluetooth speaker. If you're streaming tracks from your smartphone and intend to sit near your speaker the entire time, it doesn't really matter how long the range is. But if you're having a party, you probably want a little more flexibility to mix, mingle, and move yourself (and your phone) further away from where your speaker is set up. About 30 feet is the standard wireless range, but many higher-end Bluetooth speakers will afford you up to 100 feet of leeway. Since there will never be a time where you’d want less range, you might as well aim for the best Bluetooth range possible within your budget.
What else is important when picking a Bluetooth speaker?
Obviously, you want your waterproof speakers to sound good — that's literally why you're spending your hard-earned cash on them. Typically, the higher the price of the device, the more crisp the audio and more bumping the bass. However, we do like a few budget options that offer some surprisingly impressive sound quality, so don't automatically think that you can't get something great if money is tight.
You'll also want to consider the portability of your waterproof Bluetooth speaker. You might be fine just using it to play music in the outdoor spaces around your home, and in that case, any one of the speakers below should be great for your needs. However, if you're searching for a waterproof portable speaker to take along on outdoor adventures, you'll want to consider the device's size and weight, as well as its ruggedness. Is it too heavy or clunky to lug around in your daypack when you go hiking? Can it stand to get bumped around a bit without getting scratched or dented? You may want to ask yourself questions like these as you browse our suggestions, especially if you know that you’re planning to use your outdoor Bluetooth speaker in a particular way.
Now without further ado, we’re sharing our top picks for the best Bluetooth waterproof speakers that we’ve chosen with all of the aforementioned considerations in mind. Here are the best ones on the market right now.
