The 9 Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers of 2023

Blast away while you splash away

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

No matter what you're planning to do on your next outdoor excursion, the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers have you covered. What they all have in common, however, is that they're designed to keep delivering impressive sound even if they fall in your pool or take a dip in a nearby lake. They also pair via Bluetooth and provide on-device controls to keep your smartphone or digital audio player safely tucked away while enjoying the music.

We tested and researched the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers for daily and adventurous use. Here are our top picks.  

in this article

Best Overall

JBL Charge 4

5
JBL Charge 4 - Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black

Amazon

What We Like
  • Powerful, distortion-free sound

  • Rugged and durable

  • Long battery life

What We Don't Like
  • No speakerphone functionality

  • Can't be wall-mounted

JBL’s Charge 4 is a well-rounded Bluetooth speaker that checks all the right boxes: room-filling sound with lots of bass, rugged durability, long battery life, and a price that offers solid value considering everything packed into this little device. 

With an IPX7 waterproof rating, the Charge 4 can stay underwater for 30 minutes at a 1-meter depth. It even floats, so you can easily retrieve it if it does end up going for a swim. The single, full-range “racetrack” speaker puts out the clean and crisp sound across all genres that JBL is famous for, and you can crank it up to maximum volume without worrying about distortion.

The battery delivers up to 20 hours on a single charge—assuming you keep the listening levels reasonable—and you can use some of that capacity to charge up your smartphone via the USB port around the back. The Charge 4 is also compatible with JBL’s Connect+ ecosystem, so you can sync it to play alongside as many as 100 other JBL Connect+ compatible speakers for the ultimate party experience. 

Channels: Mono | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: 3.5mm/USB | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: IPX7

JBL Charge 4

Lifewire / Danny Chadwick

Best Sound

JBL Flip 5

4.2
JBL FLIP 5, Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Black

Amazon

What We Like
  • Excellent sound quality

  • Fast USB-C charging

  • Fun, colorful designs

What We Don't Like
  • Slightly heavy

  • A little pricey

  • Battery life could be longer

Don't let the small size of JBL's Flip 5 fool you; this speaker makes no compromises on sound quality, and it gets surprisingly loud, too. It's a speaker that punches above its weight class to deliver clean and balanced sound for just about any style of music. 

JBL accomplishes this quality with a unique 44-millimeter driver (the part that delivers sound) that puts out crisp and nuanced rather than overwhelming sound and just the right amount of bass for a speaker in its class. The PartyBoost feature allows you to link up another JBL Flip 5 to get real stereo separation, taking its impressive sound quality to a new level.

The IPX7 waterproof rating also means you can take it to the pool or the beach with no worries, and the internal battery keeps you going for up to 12 hours on a single charge. 

Channels: Mono | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: USB-C | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: IPX7

JBL Flip 5

 Lifewire / Jason Schneider

Best Budget

Tribit XSound Go Bluetooth Speaker

Tribit XSound Go

Amazon

What We Like
  • Very affordable

  • Good sound

  • Speakerphone capability

What We Don't Like
  • Weak on bass

Most inexpensive Bluetooth speakers don't sound much better than an old-school transistor radio, but the inexpensive Tribit's XSound Go is a refreshing surprise. It's rare to see a sub-$50 speaker pack in the right speaker technology to produce a sound that's both clean and loud, but somehow Tribit has pulled it off. The highs and mids are crisp, and there's a good bass presence here, but it can't belt out distortion-free sound at a party as a premium speaker would. 

Still, XSound Go is an affordable and versatile speaker for casual listening, with the usual IPX7 rating that can withstand up to a meter of water for 30 minutes, speedy USB-C charging, and 24-hour battery life. It also features a built-in mic, so you can use it as a speakerphone or call up your favorite voice assistant, and a 3.5mm auxiliary input lets you use it as a wired speaker too. 

Channels: Stereo | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: 3.5mm / USB-C | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: IPX7

Best Portable

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 Bluetooth Speaker

4.9
ULTIMATE EARS WONDERBOOM 2, Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker, Big Bass 360 Sound, Waterproof / Dustproof IP67, Floatable, 33-m (100-ft) Range - Deep Space

Amazon

What We Like
  • Compact and portable

  • Fantastic sound quality

  • Dustproof as well as waterproof

What We Don't Like
  • No speakerphone functionality

Ultimate Ears offers some of the more attractive portable Bluetooth speakers we've seen, with a unique design that makes the company's products instantly recognizable. The Wonderboom 2 is no exception in that regard, but what it does bring to the table is excellent sound in an even smaller and more portable package. 

This softball-sized speaker is small enough that you can take it pretty much anywhere, yet it earns the Wonderboom name by producing surprisingly rich bass that doesn't get in the way of a lighter music style. It's much more than you'd expect from a 4-inch speaker and plays nicely with everything from hip-hop and metal to classical and jazz. 

With an IP67 rating, the Wonderboom 2 isn't just waterproof; it's also certified as dust- and sand-proof, making it an excellent choice for even the busiest beaches. Plus, it's available in UE's usual array of fun colors. 

Channels: Mono | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: Micro USB | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: IPX7

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2

Lifewire / James Huenink

Best Value

Anker Soundcore Flare+

Anker Soundcore Flare+ Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

Anker Soundcore

What We Like
  • Customizable lighting effects

  • Good battery life

  • Speakerphone capability

What We Don't Like
  • Bass boost is needlessly heavy

  • Some distortion at higher volumes

Anker’s Soundcore Flare+ continues the company’s tradition of making solid products at affordable prices. This waterproof Bluetooth speaker combines some of the best designs of its competitors into a single package.

With two full-range drivers (the units that create sound), two tweeters (a type of speaker that handles high sound frequencies), and a pair of passive bass radiators (speakers that handle low, bassy sounds), the Flare+ delivers strong sound throughout its entire range. It also gets loud enough for outdoor parties without too much distortion. If you want even more on the lower end, there’s a bass boost feature that works quite well—with the right genres of music. For the most part, though, we found the speaker does just fine. 

The design feels like a cross between UE’s Boom and JBL’s Pulse lineups, with a cloth texture on the exterior and an LED light ring on the bottom that pulses and phases in sync with your music. The IPX7 rating means you can take it to the pool or the beach, and you can pair two of them up for proper stereo playback. There’s also a microphone for taking calls or calling up your smartphone’s voice assistant, offering up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge. 

Channels: Stereo | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: 3.5mm/Micro USB | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: IPX7

Best for the Shower

iFox iF012 Bluetooth Speaker

4.2
iFox Portable Bluetooth Shower Speaker, IPX7 Waterproof Outdoor Wireless Speaker, Built-in Mic, Carabiner, Beach, Camping, Hiking, Pool, Great Gift, Black/Gold

Amazon

What We Like
  • Clear, crisp audio

  • Great battery life

  • Suction cup stays in place well


What We Don't Like
  • Doesn’t come with a wall adapter

You don't technically need a shower speaker to listen to your favorite tunes while showering—any waterproof Bluetooth speaker will do—but having the right one certainly helps.

Designed for use in the bathroom rather than at the beach, the dust (and waterproof) iFox iF012 has a sturdy set of suction cups that let you pop it right onto the tiles in your shower. The suction is also surprisingly strong, so it's not going anywhere once you get it in place. The iF012 also features a complete set of accessible control buttons right on the front, so you don't need to fumble with it to adjust volume, change tracks, or even answer calls using the built-in speakerphone. 

As a shower speaker, it can't deliver the same audio quality as an outdoor beach speaker. It still achieves impressive results for listening in your bathroom. The iF012's 22-hour battery life is another plus and more generous than most small speakers.

Channels: Mono | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: 3.5mm (USB charging only) | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: IP67

iFox iF012 Shower Speaker

Lifewire / Danny Chadwick

Best Compact

Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker

Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker

Amazon

What We Like
  • Built-in speakerphone functionality

  • Lightweight and portable

  • Impressive bass in a small package

What We Don't Like
  • A bit pricy

  • Poor battery life

  • No AUX In port

The SoundLink Micro naturally won't deliver the same audio quality as a full-sized Bose speaker system, but it's pretty impressive, considering it's small enough to fit into the palm of your hand.

The SoundLink Micro also has a rubberized silicone exterior, integrated strap, and the usual IPX7 waterproof rating, making it a great speaker for your bike, backpack, or boat. An integrated mic offers the ability to handle calls or call up your favorite voice assistant, and it also has built-in voice prompts to walk you through the Bluetooth pairing process. Unfortunately, as surprising as the sound quality is for a speaker of this size, there's less room for a battery, so you get only about six hours of listening time on a single charge. 

Channels: Mono | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: Micro USB | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: IPX7

Best Party Speaker

JBL Pulse 4

JBL Pulse 4 - Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Light Show - Black

Amazon

What We Like
  • Amazing lighting effects

  • Stylish design

  • Powerful sound

What We Don't Like
  • No 3.5mm audio port

  • No speakerphone functionality

  • Heavier than it looks

JBL's Pulse 4 features the company's signature audio quality, and it's the life of your party in more ways than one. Put it in the center of the room, and the Pulse 4 lets you choose from a handful of cool patterns and light themes to accompany the music—or set up your own using the companion smartphone app. You can even keep the lights going when the music is off.  

The Pulse 4 also offers more than enough bass to keep an indoor party going, but it drops off at higher volumes, and you start to hear a bit of distortion. Even though the IPX7 rating lets you use it near the water, it's best suited for smaller pool parties and intimate beach gatherings.

You get up to 12 hours of listening time on a single charge with the lights on, but you can push that further by running the speaker dark.

Channels: Mono | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: USB-C | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: IPX7

Best Bass

Sony SRS-XB33 Extra Bass Portable Speaker

Sony SBS-XR33 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

Amazon

What We Like
  • Impressive bass in a smaller package

  • IP67 dust- and waterproof

  • 24-hour battery life

  • NFC pairing

What We Don't Like
  • Bass drops off at higher volumes

  • A little big

If you’re looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t compromise on bass, Sony’s SRS-XB33 has you covered—and it looks the part, too. Big bass naturally means a bigger speaker, so it’s not the smallest one on our list, but it’s still portable enough. It also features an IP67 rating, meaning it’s certified as waterproof and dustproof, making it an ideal choice for beach parties. 

Sony packs in some substantial drivers (the components that convert audio signals) to punch out an impressive amount of bass—and it does it without any noticeable distortion, even at the maximum volume levels. The SRS-XB33 delivers so much bass that we had difficulty believing it came from a small speaker; it feels like a dedicated subwoofer somewhere in the room. The bass does drop off a bit at higher listening levels, but you still feel its presence across the entire volume range.

Two LED light bands on either side also change colors and pulse to the beat of whatever’s playing, and you can adjust these with the companion smartphone app. A built-in mic provides speakerphone and voice assistant capabilities, and it even supports NFC for quick and easy Bluetooth pairing with modern smartphones. Sony also promises up to 24 hours of listening on a single charge at normal volume levels.

Channels: Stereo | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: Micro USB | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: IP67 

What to Look for in a Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

IP Rating

The main factor distinguishing the models on our list from traditional Bluetooth speakers is their water resistance, so you want to pay close attention to the ingress protection (IP) ratings. Waterproof Bluetooth speakers typically have an IPX7 rating, which means they can handle immersion in water for a brief amount of time.

Audio Quality

The key when picking out any speaker is the audio quality is essential. A waterproof Bluetooth speaker must be crisp, clear, and powerful enough to compete with any ambient noise in outdoor environments.

Battery Life

Because they're often used on the go or may live outside next to your pool, a generous battery is essential for these speakers. Something above 12 hours is an excellent place to start, though some of the best go all weekend without quitting.

FAQ
  • Can waterproof speakers be used underwater?

    Waterproof Bluetooth speakers can survive getting wet, which means they keep working after dropping into a pool or lake. That doesn’t mean you can listen to them while swimming, though. For that, you’re much better off with a dedicated underwater media player and a set of headphones. 

  • What is an IP rating?

    The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) sets IP (ingress protection) ratings to indicate how resistant electronic devices are to dust and water. These ratings come with two numbers: the first represents a device’s protection against solid particles like dust, and the second indicates resistance to water and other liquids. If you see an “X” instead of a number, a device hasn’t been tested in that category.

  • What's the range of a waterproof Bluetooth speaker?

    Waterproof Bluetooth speakers have the same range as any other Bluetooth speaker. The waterproof rating doesn’t diminish the Bluetooth range in any way. While Bluetooth technology offers a theoretical maximum range of over 300 feet, almost all smartphones, digital audio players, and Bluetooth speakers use the lower-power Class 2 Bluetooth, with a range of around 30 feet (10 meters).

Was this page helpful?