In these difficult unprecedented times, it has been and still continues to be immensely challenging to enjoy the outdoors fully. But we are slowly adjusting to a new normal, which is music to the ears of music-lovers who enjoy grooving to their jams outside. If you happen to be one of them, what better way than to have a speaker that can withstand a splash or a downpour out there.
An outdoor speaker must be durable, capable of taking on the elements while still delivering remarkable sound quality. Having a portable speaker by the pool or at the beach should give you the same confidence as bringing waterproofs to a hitchhike. After all, you don't need to be an expert to know that electronics and water don't get along too well.
You certainly have several portable waterproof speaker options to pick from on the market. However, not every product you find will provide the ultimate protection you're looking for. In which case, we have meticulously selected the best waterproof speakers available, so that you can still blast your jams by the pool or in the rain without a worry in the world.
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Waterproof vs Water-Resistant Speakers
More often than not, these two terms are perceived to be synonymous. You would be right to think so too, since both loosely translate to 'not damaged by water'. However, there's a significant difference between the two.
Waterproof capabilities are indicated through an IP rating, typically followed by two digits. IP67 is one of the most common specifications, translating to waterproofing capabilities of up to 30 minutes, sunk at a depth of 1m in water.
On the other hand, water-resistant implies that it can withstand a splash or two. As such, this might not be the option that can survive accidentally getting dunk in your drink or submerging in the pool.
It is pretty clear that waterproof is the much better feature of the two, which is partially why this guide consists of waterproof speakers only.
1. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Surprisingly bigger 360 sound: Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is a wireless Bluetooth speaker...
- New outdoor boost: push the outdoor boost button on this ultra portable speaker to...
- 13 hr. Battery: powering 13 whopping hours of killer sound, The long lasting battery sees...
- Waterproof, dustproof & floats: IP67 rating means it’s waterproof, dustproof and it...
- Double up, Now in stereo: pair two WONDERBOOM 2 speakers to party louder in mono or stereo...
The quality of sound is undoubtedly the best features on this Bluetooth speaker. As we have come to expect from the UE Wonderboom line-up, this second iteration produces great sound, despite what the size might fool you into thinking. Furthermore, you can also pair several of these speakers to turn up the blare.
It weighs at only 0.93 pounds, which is conveniently light. You can expect battery life of up to 1o hours, on average, with a wireless range of over 100 feet.
Despite looking incredibly similar to its predecessor, the Wonderboom 2 is a serious upgrade. First and foremost, the battery life is 30% better than the first model. You also getter a more enhanced bass response, including the new Outdoor Boost feature, which does exactly what it says on the tin.
These minor upgrades on the original, with the option of four great color choices, are sufficient to make the UE Wonderboom 2 the best overall outdoor Bluetooth speaker to buy in 2021.
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2. JBL Flip 5
- Wireless Bluetooth streaming
- 12 hours of playtime
- IPX7 waterproof
- Pair multiple speakers with party boost
- Premium JBL sound quality
This waterproof speaker is an ideal example that impressive specs don't always correlate to the best sound. With an IPX7 rating, this is very much a solid buy for a Bluetooth speaker.
The JBL Flip weighs at 1.2 pounds. The battery on this speaker will generally last around 12 hours. The wireless range is also reasonable, and you can expect an engaging sound within it.
Despite its modest features, this Bluetooth speaker will hardly disappoint you when it comes to sound. If you are just looking for an outdoor waterproof speaker that is simply good at its job, the JBL Flip 5 is definitely one of the best there is.
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3. Anker Soundcore Flare
- BREATHTAKING BASS: With BassUP Technology a customized digital signal processor first...
- SOUND AND LIGHT IN HARMONY: Watch a halo of LEDs phase, pulse, and shine with the rhythm...
- DOUBLE THE POWER: Connect 2 Flare speakers via a single Bluetooth device. Go stereo for an...
- POOL PARTY PROOF: No matter where the music needs to be, Flare is suited up and ready....
If you want a vibrant outdoor speaker that's cheap but still delivers great sound, the Anker Soundcore Flare might be just what you are looking for.
The Soundcore Flare is Anker's flagship waterproof speaker. With this product, the company has endeavored to blend in the top features from other premium brands, then deliver it at a cost that is immensely favorable to the buyer.
At its price point, Flare offers value for your money for its quality sound, durable build and overall neat user-experience. The LED light show might-or might not-be a gimmick to you, but it's definitely a fun feature to have.
It only has 8 hours of battery life, which is okay. But if you are very particular about the sound you want, this might not exactly check all your boxes. In any case, you would need to spend more money on an outdoor Bluetooth speaker for better sound.
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4. Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Ultimate sound: Super portable wireless Bluetooth speaker with 360° bold, immersive,...
- Powered for adventure: rechargeable battery stays powered and pumping tunes for 15 hours...
- Super portable, waterproof & virtually indestructible: Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is seriously...
- All-new magic button: play, pause, skip and control any streaming music directly on the...
- Partyup: use PartyUp on the boom & megaboom app to pair 2, 3, 4...And over 150 speakers...
This is certainly one of the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers out on the market at the moment. First, we can all agree that the design is nothing short of brilliant, and quite pleasing to the eye.
The Boom 3 is light, at just 1.2 pounds, making it easily portable. Its solid build protects it from damage when it tumbles and tosses in your bag. It has a wireless range of 3o feet, but the battery life is only about 8 hours, which is average but still okay.
This portable Bluetooth speaker can get incredibly loud, and you don't have to worry about sound distortion at high volumes. In addition to waterproof, this speaker is also resistant to dust, making it a proper outdoor Bluetooth speaker. A convenient one-touch mix button allows you to switch up your music without the need to get to your source device.
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5. Ultimate Ears Megablast
- Ultimate Sound: Our most powerful speaker with 360° intensely rich sound, stunning...
- With Amazon Alexa hands-free voice control: Just ask Alexa to blast tunes from Spotify (as...
- Waterproof and virtually indestructible: Never worry about going easy on it, your music...
- Smarter over time: Update your speaker with the Ultimate Ears app as new features become...
- Compatibility - Requires a Wi-Fi router with 802.11 a,b,g, or n for first time setup....
The UE Megablast is rightfully up there with the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers on the market. The 'mega' in the name is not there by accident. The Megablast is indeed big sound and big battery in one outdoor speaker.
It weighs 1.93 pounds, certainly the heaviest of all options on this guide. But it more than makes up for the size. The battery life is a whooping 20 hours at a reasonable volume, with a wireless range of over 100 feet. And did we mention that the Megablast gets really loud?
As you would expect, the bass is significantly stronger and richer on this speaker than the UE Boom 3 and Wonderboom 2. As such, this is the ideal outdoor Bluetooth speaker if you want to blast your music, quite literally, at a party or outdoors.
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What Should You Look for in the Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers?
1. Sound Quality
This is the primary reason you're getting a speaker, anyway. You want one that produces rich sounds, where melodies are crisp and basses boom. After all, it would be insensible to buy a speaker that can withstand pretty much every wet thing you throw at it but then it sounds wearing to the ear. In which case, you should also 360 degrees sound when buying a portable Bluetooth speaker.
The products featured here have been thoroughly reviewed and they come highly recommended by the team. Whichever option you end up choosing will more than likely live up to its price point and match your expectations for sound.
2. Waterproof Rating
The degree of waterproof capability varies from one portable Bluetooth speaker to the other. In fact, some of the products on the market are only safe from splashes. When you're getting a Bluetooth speaker, it is therefore quite essential to consider its waterproof rating.
It all depends on how you intend to use the speaker. Ideally, we would recommend looking out for at least an IP67 rating, which seems to be the industry's standard. It is also worth noting some products will even go ahead and provide dustproof capabilities too.
Some of the options provided will actually float on water, undoubtedly giving you less to fret about. Furthermore, since all the featured products are Bluetooth enabled, you can always keep your source device safely at a distance.
3. Battery Life
It would be rather disheartening to get a Bluetooth speaker that can withstand the elements only for the battery to run flat just when the fun begins. Nothing arguably ruins an outdoors' experience more than music that cuts abruptly.
Battery life is normally determined by the size of the portable Bluetooth speaker. Consequently, the smaller the speaker, the smaller the battery. Around 1o hours of battery life would be a good place to start. But if you are really on a budget, or fixed on a relatively small speaker, the closest you should cut it at is a minimum of 8 hours.
4. Additional Features
If you are into bells and whistles, you could get a product that has additional functionalities. It could be Wi-Fi connectivity-which is certainly nice to have especially if you intend to use the portable speaker at home too.
You can also have LED lights on your Bluetooth speaker. These will definitely add a bit more panache to the experience, especially in the dark.
Pros and Cons of Waterproof Speakers
What are the advantages of having a waterproof speaker? Obviously, you don't have to agonize about water causing damage to your device. In addition, a majority of outdoor speakers tend to have a solid build. They are designed and built for adventure, which means they'll most likely be shock-resistant as well.
A waterproof speaker will more than likely be tougher than your run-of-the-mill speaker. However, you still must take a fair deal of care to avoid dropping it, since this could loosen up some of the internal components.
Size is another clear advantage. Most of these waterproof speakers are designed for portability, to make it as convenient as possible to move around with. One will easily fit in your bag. Even for people who lean more towards sound quality, hence slightly chunkier options, size still won't be much of a problem.
With any product out there, there's always a trade-off. For this particular case, the sound is the inevitable trade-off. The material used to waterproof the drivers affects the quality of sound to an extent. But this is not to say these waterproof speakers don't sound great; they do a pretty neat job! Only that they cannot quite measure up to similarly-priced speakers that are primarily built for sound.
Price can also be a downside, sometimes. Waterproof speakers cost slightly more for the added feature. It is equally worth noting that their convenience and longevity of use offers great value for your money, nonetheless.
Frequently Asked Questions about Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
1. Can I use an indoor speaker outdoors?
You definitely can. As long as the speaker is wireless, you can use it anywhere. However, most indoor speakers are not waterproof, which then puts them at risk when used outdoors. In which case it's arguably much more practical to get an outdoor waterproof speaker.
2. What is the recommended wattage for outdoor speakers?
It depends. If you are going out for a quiet outing, say a picnic, 5W would be adequate for the occasion. But if you are using it for an outdoor party, like a barbeque, you would definitely need more wattage. To put it into better perspective, speakers in your typical smart TV produce 10W at maximum.
3. How many outdoors speakers do I need?
Again, it depends. Different speakers produce different levels of volume. Depending on the occasion, you might need just one, or a couple more if you want to cover several spots within your space.