Alrighty, so you're looking for the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker (apparently Bluetooth is a proper noun?) that will keep the party going and won't freak out and stop working when it gets a little wet. Or a lotta wet, depending on what you're doing, I guess.
Maybe the last "waterproof" speaker you bought didn't exactly live up to that label. We've been there too. So, we put a bunch of speakers (31 to be exact) through our 3-phase waterproof testing gauntlet to figure out which ones can actually stand up to a wall of water and keep those tunes bumping and the good vibes rolling.
Below are our top Waterproved Bluetooth Speakers and all the details from our research. Ready? Let's go!
Our Top Waterproved Bluetooth Speakers
| Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 | Lazy River Saturday Crew |
| JBL Boombox 2 | Boaters |
| Anker Soundcore Flare 2 | Pool Partiers |
| JBL Clip 4 | Shower Singers |
| Tribit StormBox Micro | Bike Riders |
| Fugoo Sport 2.0 | Outdoor Enthusiasts |
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2
Best Floatable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Waterproof testing results: The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 speaker held up really well in all 3 phases of our waterproof testing - The Mist, The Rain, and The Dunk. We were pretty impressed with the level and quality of sound for how small this speaker is. During the first 2 phases of our testing, this UE speaker kept playing just fine and wasn't muffled at all. During the Dunk (fully submerged) part of our testing, the WONDERBOOM popped right back up, floated easily, and kept playing.
Who should get it: Given the ability for this speaker to float, we think it is a great option for folks looking for a good speaker to bring on your next river float. It has a little strap that you can clip to your tube and you'll have music for the whole float. The battery length was also nice, although not quite the full 13 hours advertised (especially if you have it at full blast).
Other features we like:
- Decent sound quality for a small speaker
- Outdoor boost setting
- Ability to pair with other UE speakers
- Pretty durable
What we don't like:
- Battery length not as long as advertised (pretty common though)
- Doesn't come with a clip
JBL Boombox 2
Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker for the Boat
Waterproof testing results: The JBL Boombox 2 passed all of our waterproof tests with flying colors, although we did have to go fishing for it in The Dunk test, this thing is a beast and does not float. The sound quality stayed pretty consistent during the entire hour of pounding it with water during the Mist and Rain tests. Water beaded off the speaker pretty quickly so overall we were really happy with the performance.
Who should get it: The JBL Boombox 2 is a huge speaker and can absolutely crank in terms of volume, so we think it is a good fit for all your boaters out there who need a speaker that can outmatch the noise level of your boat engine as you're cruising across the lake. Given its performance in our testing, you shouldn't have to worry about this speaker getting splashed with a few waves.
Other features we like:
- Crisp sound quality
- Huge volume and a lot of bass
- Long battery life
- Nice plastic grip
- Built-in powerbank to charge your phone
What we don't like:
- A little expensive, but quality seems to be worth it
- Not much, to be honest
Anker Soundcore Flare 2
Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker for the Pool
Waterproof testing results: The waterproof testing for the Anker Soundcore Flare 2 was a wild ride. We were initially pretty concerned during first 2 phases of our testing (The Mist and The Rain) because it looked like the speaker was getting wetted out. The outside layer of the speaker didn't bead off water like some of the other speakers in our testing, but after pounding it with water for an hour we were surprised to find that it actually wasn't wetted out at all! Maybe a design flaw or something, but we had no concerns after inspecting the speaker post-testing and listening to the sound quality. It also performed well when we fully submerged it in The Dunk test.
Who should get it: We think the 360 degree sound and super fun light show on the bottom of the speaker makes the Anker Soundcore Flare 2 a great fit for folks going to the pool. This speaker can also pair up with others like it and maybe the coolest feature - the light show on the bottom of it matches up with the beat of the music.
Other features we like:
- "BassUp" feature for when you really want to party
- Solid battery life
- Nice hand strap for carrying
What we don't like:
- Exterior coating made it seem like the speaker wasn't waterproof
- Sound quality could be better, but still good for its size
JBL Clip 4
Best Waterproof Bluetooth Shower Speaker
Waterproof testing results: The JBL Clip 4 performed very well in all of our waterproof testing. It's a tiny speaker, so we clipped it to one of our waterproof backpacks during testing to see how it held up. The Mist and The Rain tests were no problem for this little speaker. When it came to The Dunk test, it seemed to perform just fine.
Who should get it: The JBL Clip 4 is a great little speaker for all you American Idol contestants who are belting out your favorite songs in the shower. You can clip it to your shower head or basket and it will perform just fine. The battery life and overall sound volume isn't the best, so we think keeping this one in your home and in the shower will probably be the best use for it.
Other features we like:
- Very portable
- Easy volume buttons
- Clip is secure and easy to use
What we don't like:
- Shorter battery life
- Lower overall volume
Tribit StormBox Micro
Best Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Waterproof testing results: The Tribit StormBox Micro speaker is super neat. We attached it to one of our bikes during testing and it held its own as we pelted it with water. It did fine in The Dunk test too, although I'm not sure you would encounter any scenarios where you would be fully submerged with this speaker. Anyways, solid overall performance.
Who should get it: The Tribit StormBox Micro speaker is specifically designed for bike mounts and we tend to agree that is a great use for this speaker. The clip is very easy to use and secure and the buttons to control volume are easily reachable so you can adjust as you're riding. Whether you are commuting to work and need to get pumped up for the day or you are blazing the trail on your mountain bike, we think you'll be pretty pleased with the Tribit StormBox Micro speaker.
Other features we like:
- Secure clip
- Dustproof
- Durable
- Can pair with other Micro speakers
What we don't like:
- Not the best battery life
- Sound quality could be a little better, but you get what you pay for at this price point
Fugoo Sport 2.0
Best Outdoor Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Waterproof testing results: To round out our top picks, the Fugoo Sport 2.0 really impressed during testing. This little mighty speaker did just fine in all 3 phases - The Mist, The Rain, and The Dunk. The sound quality didn't waver at all during the tests and water beaded off very easily.
Who should get it: The Fugoo Sport 2.0 is a very durable portable speaker, so we think it is great for hikers and campers who want something to stick in their backpack. It is pretty much impervious to dust, mud, snow, and any other elements you throw at it. This speaker also has a built-in microphone in case you need to take any calls while you take a pause from playing music. The battery life isn't the best, but is still pretty decent at around 10 hours.
Other features we like:
- Multi-speaker pairing
- Easy to carry
- Rugged
What we don't like:
- Battery life could be longer
- Sound quality could be better, but still good for under $100
Recap: The Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
- Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2: Lazy River Saturday Crew
- JBL Boombox 2: Boaters
- Anker Soundcore Flare 2: Pool Partiers
- JBL Clip 4: Shower Singers
- Tribit StormBox Micro: Bike Riders
- Fugoo Sport 2.0: Outdoor Enthusiasts
Waterproof Testing Stats
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gallons of water usedYep, we actually tested all of these speakers. We put 31 of them through our 3-phase waterproof testing process using over 60 gallons of water to see how they held up. While nothing with seams can truly be 100% waterproof, all of these speakers in our list passed our tests and we can confidently say they will perform well in a lot of different scenarios.
How to Choose a Good Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
IP Ratings
IP ratings help us understand how well a speaker did in protection testing against water and dust. The rating system is constructed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Typically, you want to look for Bluetooth speakers that having a rating of IPX7 or IP67, "7" meaning it can be submerged to a certain depth for a short period of time. You can read all about IP ratings in our full article on how IP ratings work.
Sound Quality
Obviously, sound quality matters in a speaker. Since, you know, that's its purpose. To play music and stuff. While we aren't sound experts by any means, we recommend checking out sites like rtings.com and others who do crazy specific performance testing on electronics. For sound quality, you'll want to look at metrics like frequency response accuracy, raw frequency response, soundstage, and dynamics.
Portability
A lot of Bluetooth speakers are meant to be used on the go. Especially for waterproof ones, most people searching for something waterproof are going to be moving around with it. So, look for features like easy carrying handles, clips, straps, or other security elements that can help you take the speaker with you wherever you go.
Drop Proof
Speakers can have a rough life. Dropping it on the pool deck, in the mud, or your buddy accidentally knocking it off the table. Look for features like rubber padding around the outside and a good IK rating, which is a rating system for impact protection.
Battery Life
Outside of sound quality, battery life is probably one of the most important factors in people's speaker decision. After all, nothing kills a party faster than the speaker dying. In our testing, we looked at how long the battery life stood up against the brand's claims and the total charge time to get it back to 100% power.
