Did you know that waterproofing has different levels? And the type of waterproofing a speaker has, will impact where and how you can use it? I’ve been working with waterproof Bluetooth speakers for nearly a decade, and frequently see misconceptions about this topic.
I want to share with you what I consider the most important things for buyers to understand about these speakers, as well as give my thoughts on what I consider are some of the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers on the market.
Our Top Pick
There’s a Difference Between Waterproof & Water-Resistant
It’s important to understand the difference between water-resistant and waterproof. Although these may seem like interchangeable terminology, there is a distinct difference.
- Water-resistance implies the speaker can withstand occasional exposure to water, such as light splashes, sprays and spillage. It’s common on speakers intended for outdoor use, but aren’t necessarily designed for use in and around water.
- Waterproofing refers to a more robust approach of water-resistance, where the speaker doesn’t just survive occasional light exposure, but can also withstand heavy rain or even being submerged in water.
Despite this distinction, some marketing materials may still refer to speakers as waterproof, when they’re really just water resistant. That’s why I encourage you to reference the IPX-rating for a more informative overview of what the speaker’s protected from.
IPX Ratings: Levels Of Water-Resistance And What They Protect Against
The Ingress Protection rating is an official measurement of water-resistance and dust protection that’s given to tech devices including Bluetooth speakers. Once you know your Ingress ratings, you’ll be able to look past the marketing terminology and identify the exact kind of protection a speaker offers.
IP ratings that have a single digit (eg: IPX5) only have water-resistance. IP ratings that have two digits (eg: IP65) offer both dust and water resistance. The X is a placeholder for dust-resistance when it’s not supported.
Ingress ratings start at 0 (no protection) and increase based on the level of resistance, with IPX7 and IPX8 both meeting the criteria needed to be waterproof and not just water resistant. Both IPX7 and IPX8 can be submerged in water up to a meter deep for limited time periods without damage.
How Do You Plan To Use Your Speaker?
The type of waterproofing you need and the style of speaker that’s best, will depend on how you plan to use it. Some speakers have outstanding protection against both water and dust, making them ideal for the outdoors, while others focus more on their style, while still having basic water resistance.
By The Pool Or At The Beach
The best waterproof bluetooth speakers for beach and poolside use are those that offer:
- Full water and dust protection
- An easy to carry design, even with a towel in one hand
- Enough volume to carry audio in open air
- Long lasting battery
For poolside and beach use, the Ultimate Ears Everboom is an outstanding speaker. Its IP67 rating means its protected from dust and water infiltration – and also floats in water. A custom and preset EQ feature lets you dial in the sound, but even straight out of the box the Everboom is bassy and crisp. The 360-degree design means you and your friends can enjoy crystal clear audio, no matter what side of the speaker you’re on. You’ll also get an impressive 17 hours of playtime.
Outdoor Adventures (Camping, Hiking or Fishing)
Outdoor adventures require a speaker that can go handle everything the wilderness has to throw at it, while still sounding great. Look for speakers with these traits:
- A mandatory IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating
- High quality materials that create a rugged design, capable of taking a knock. Shock-resistance is even better.
- Carry handle or loop to attach it to backpacks or clothing.
- Quick charging and long-lasting battery.
Water, dust and shock-resistance (IP67) – the BOSE SoundLink Flex is the ultimate portable adventure speaker for those who want complete protection from the elements. It’s small enough to fit into backpacks and its built-in carry loop can be paired with a carabiner to let it hang from nearby trees while you enjoy its high-quality sound, which is among the best in its price range. It also floats in water!
If you like the idea of the SoundLink Flex, but want something with more power, the SoundLink Max retains the durable nature of the Flex (IP67) , but with added volume and punchier bass. This is a better choice for entertaining groups of friends, rather than solo listening. Unlike the Flex, it can also have its sound customized through the Bose app, using the equalizer. While it does float, it’s not intended for use while floating, as it will orient with the front grille submerged.
In The Shower
Shower speakers are a type of speaker on their own, but it’s not uncommon to want a more versatile solution that isn’t limited to use in your shower. Here’s what to look for in a good shower speaker.
- Controls that are easy to use, even with wet hands.
- IPX7 waterproof rating to protect against the potential pooling of water.
- Compact size that’s easy to carry around.
- A carry loop or suction cup for mounting.
The JBL Clip 5 may not be designed for shower use, but it performs great as a shower speaker regardless. It has easy to reach controls and is protected from both water and dust. I recommend it over dedicated shower speakers for the added versatility. Outside of the shower it’s a very capable everyday speaker that latches onto just about anything, making it super portable. While the Clip 5 can float briefly, it tends to sink after a few minutes, so it’s advisable to retrieve it promptly if dropped in water.
Outdoor Parties & Tailgating Events
Bigger is usually better when it comes to party speakers, and there’s a slew of awesome waterproof speakers that will get the job done. Here’s what to look for in a waterproof party speaker.
- Deep, powerful bass.
- Enough volume to carry outdoors.
- Microphone inputs for MCing or karaoke.
- IPX6 ratings or above.
- Tuning that promotes more detailed highs than indoor speakers.
- Long lasting battery life.
The ecoXgear Defender is testament to dynamic coming in small packages. Although relatively lightweight and easy to carry, the Defender gets extremely loud and sounds great in the process. It supports mic inputs for karaoke or MCing, and carries an IP67 waterproof rating, separating it from most other powerful speakers on the market. It’s a powerful party speaker that sounds great indoors or outdoors, thanks to its easy to change EQ presets.
For General Everyday Use
Maybe you don’t have a specific use in mind and want a speaker you can use on a daily basis, without being constrained by certain features. For a versatile waterproof Bluetooth speaker, look for models which have:
- Modern Bluetooth, for lower latency and reliable connections.
- Durable construction, so you can use it anywhere.
- An IPX7 or IP67 rating (there’s no reason to settle for less).
- Long-lasting and fast-charging battery.
- Easily portable design that can be used regularly.
The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 offers an effective solution to everyday listening. Its prominent bass and 360-degree audio spread ensures you and your friends can enjoy its vibrant and lively sound. It not only has full dust and water protection (IP67), but even floats in water. Since its a relatively compact speaker, it’s ideal for frequent use and with drop-resistance it’s also durable enough to be tossed into a bag and taken with, no matter where you’re going or what you’re doing.
Why It’s Worth Buying An IPX7 or IP67 Bluetooth Speaker For The Outdoors
Waterproofing used to be a unique feature found on select Bluetooth speakers, but in recent years it’s become standard. Now, even $20 Chinese imports come with IPX7 or IP67 ratings. So why would you go for anything less?
If you’re looking for an outdoor speaker for around the pool, garden or to take with you on holidays or trips to the beach, don’t get anything less than an IPX7 and give preference to IP67 ratings, which add dust protection too.
With a plethora of industry-leading speakers all supporting waterproofing, there really isn’t much reason you’d need to sacrifice on your Ingress rating.
Indoor Speakers Aren’t As Durable, And May Require Some Sacrifice
Speakers designed more for indoor use, such as large party speakers or those with smart features often lack the same high levels of waterproofing and so one may need to set realistic expectations.
Most of these speakers won’t be waterproof, but some may offer resistance against splashes or light sprays. The most common Ingress rating for these types of speakers is IPX4, which while not particularly comprehensive, still gives some level of protection. It can be useful for lowering the chance of damage during accidental spillage of drinks or when carrying it between venues in light rain.
Best Practices When Using Your Speaker Around Water
Having a waterproof speaker doesn’t mean you should neglect best practices around using it. There’s a lot of misconceptions around how these speakers are designed to be used, and to ensure your speaker lasts, keep these best practices in mind:
Always Ensure Your Port Covers Are Closed
If your speaker has a cover over its ports, it’s likely that the ports themselves aren’t water-resistant and using the speaker without the closure shut is a quick way to destroy it.
Before using your speaker around water, make sure the ports are sealed tightly. If there isn’t a seal or flap that goes over your ports, it may be that the port itself is waterproof. This isn’t uncommon and many modern USB-C charging ports are insulated to protect from water damage, even without a cover.
Avoid Submergence Where Possible
Just because a speaker is rated to withstand submergence, doesn’t mean one should use it that way. Most cases of speaker damage occur when one is trying to test the limits of protection. This protection is usually there in case of accident, rather than being a feature.
IPX7, IPX8 and IP67 are all rated to protect against submergence, but as time passes, pressure builds on the speaker and with enough time underwater, this can penetrate the seals and enter the electronics, causing severe damage.
Take Caution When Using A Floating Speaker on Water
I know, I know… What’s the point of having a floating speaker if it can’t be used in the water?
Well, mostly the floating feature is there to ensure it doesn’t sink if it falls off your boat or accidentally ends up in the pool. But I also understand the urge to chill in the pool, speaker bobbing alongside you.
While I’d personally recommend against it, if you do decide to use your speaker in the water, pay close attention to how long it’s been in for and if you notice it start to sink at all.
Even just being slightly submerged, pressure can build and over time cause damage. Aside from dedicated floating pool speakers, I’d recommend using them in the water for no more than 30 minutes for the utmost safety.
How To Maintain Your Waterproof Speakers For Years Of Use
To keep your waterproof Bluetooth speaker in great condition for years to come, you’ll need to follow basic maintenance after each use. This will help to prevent potential long-term damage to the speaker:
Cleaning
- Wash with fresh water directly after use to prevent the build-up of debris, salts or possible chlorine damage. Use a light pressure hose to improve efficiency.
- Shake the speaker while moving it around to remove additional trapped water.
- Position the speaker so it can drain and dry effectively after washing it.
- Dry it down with a cloth afterwards.
Storage
- Leave the ports open when storing, to allow moisture to escape.
- Store in a dry, low-humidity area for additional long-term protection.
** Never charge your speaker while it’s wet.
As you can see, there’s a lot of high-quality Bluetooth speakers with waterproofing nowadays, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money to enjoy them either. Regardless of how you plan to use yours, there’s most certainly a model made just for you.
If you have any more questions on the topic, leave a comment below and I will happily help you out with whatever it is you’re wanting to know more about.
Thanks for sharing such information through your article for waterproof speakers.
the list of your wireless speakers are good, they may differ in a lot of ways, but they serve one purpose and that’s to improve entertainment even in the presence of water.
Hi, we have a large deck that’s covered with a roof. Problem we’re trying to overcome is that we have a lot of road noise. My thinking is Bluetooth waterproof speaker(s) that I can fix on the rafter, say on a shelf. in your opionion, which type would you recommend? Charge time and quality is important as well as looks. Btw, 10m x 6m so would 1 or 2 speakers be required? Can 2 be paired? cheers
Hey Alex, Thanks for your questions! Any specific reason you’re looking to go Bluetooth?
You are limiting your options a lot. Active Bluetooth speakers are an issue outdoors because they require socket power. If anything goes wrong or through wear and tear, water will get into the power inlet, short the speaker and likely trip your power. My advice is to get some nice patio speakers, hook them up to a quality receiver and run some decent speaker cable in. If you’re battling with road noise, I’d recommend going with either the Definitive Technology AW6500, Yamaha NS-AW150 or Klipsch AW-650. You can go wireless with the Sound Appeal BT Blast Pro but these might not be powerful enough if you’re battling road noise. All of these speakers are included in our patio speaker article with recommendations for amplifers, cabling, installing etc.
– Matt