15 Best Waterproof Speakers

The best places for recreation in hot weather - the beach and the pool - unfortunately, exclude the use of any equipment. Everyone knows: water and electronics are not compatible. So if you bring your favorite speaker to the sea, you'll probably have to say goodbye to it soon - unless it's water-resistant. Fortunately, many companies produce waterproof and water-resistant speakers, but which model is the best to choose? That's what we'll find out in this article.

The best waterproof speaker - UE Boom 3

It should be noted that in general we are not big fans of the UE Boom - for the reason that speakers like the JBL Charge 3/4 or Sony XB-41 have better sound quality. However, the clever design of UE Boom 3 impressed us so much that the model took the 1st place in the list. The speaker is designed in such a way that it not only has a cylinder shape like the previous model - now the speaker is almost as big as a small bottle: you can take it anywhere. The Sony XB-41 speaker that used to be there is still a great option, but its size and weight get in the way of its portability.

There are +/- volume buttons on the front, and you can also connect the unit to over 100 other UE speakers. If you and your friend have UE speakers, you can download an app and double the sound. Battery life is about 15 hours of continuous playback. The figure is not very high, but the device has a waterproof case IP67. In addition, like the smaller model UE Wonderboom, the speaker holds water. If you are interested in a similar assembly of UE Boom 3 with additional smart speaker functionality, pay attention to UE Megablast.

A decent option among alternatives is the Bose Soundlink Revolve+

Most durable speakers tend to be small, super portable and rugged. It's rare to find a waterproof speaker that looks as good, but if quality design is important to you, try the Bose SoundLink Revolve+. It doesn't come cheap, but you really get what you pay for: an advanced Bluetooth speaker that's great for hanging by the pool in the summer.

It's worth noting that the speaker is IPX4 certified: it will withstand splashing without a problem, but not falling into the pool. Although the SoundLink Revolve+ isn't portable enough to attach to your bag, it does have a small handle for moving around. Battery life is about 16 hours, and you can also access Siri or Google Now using the button on the top panel. The flashlight-like design allows you to project sound 360°, so no matter where you are in relation to the speaker, you'll hear it equally well.

Sound and functionality above all else? Check out the JBL Charge 4.

The Charge 4 is the newest in the lineup and has a few minor improvements over the previous Charge 3. When it came out, the Charge 4 didn't offer enough improvements to justify the cost difference between it and the previous Charge 3, but the subsequent huge price drop makes it more attractive. You get USB-C charging as well as the new JBL Connect+ feature, which lets you connect up to 100 other JBL speakers.

13 Best Wireless Speakers.

The model retains all the features that make the Charge 3 so appreciated. You still get a 20-hour battery life and the ability to charge your devices thanks to the built-in USB-A port on the back. In addition, the speaker has an IPX7 water-resistant design that makes it fully waterproof for 30 minutes in up to a meter of water.

UE Wonderboom 2 holds its own on water

Unlike the disc-shaped UE Roll 2, the Wonderboom 2 retains the cylindrical shape of its predecessor. The short, chubby design is adorned with UE's signature + and - buttons. Sound quality is fine. The sub-bass is low-pitched, but the midrange frequencies (like vocals) are delivered clearly. This is great for singing along by the fire. You can turn on the Outdoor Boost mode, which increases the volume at the expense of clarity. The UE Wonderboom 2 is quite rugged and sturdy.

It is tested to drop up to 1.5 meters and has IP67 dust and water protection. That is, it's improved over the first-generation IPX7 rating, so you can take the device to the beach without worrying about sand grains ruining the speaker. What's more, the speaker has the ability to "float" while holding onto water. The fabric covering around the speaker is dual-purpose. It protects the core and makes it more comfortable to use even when wet.

Wonderboom 2 has an upgraded elastic loop. Although battery life has improved significantly over the previous version, it still falls short of the 13 hours claimed by the UE. (Our testing showed just under 10 hours of playback.) Still, the flaws are easy to overlook; overall, it's a great companion for all things summer entertainment.

Want to save some money? Meet the Anker Soundcore Flare.

Anker is no stranger to making affordable products that do a great job. The Soundcore Flare has a great design and a low price point. It's not easy to find a speaker that's both high-quality and stylish. The Soundcore Flare may not have the highest sound quality (see JBL Charge 3), but it was better than we expected. Vocals, bass and mids mostly sound clear and powerful. There may be some distortion in the high frequencies, but overall it's not bad.

The Soundcore Flare waterproof speaker is wrapped in IPX7 fabric and can play music in any direction thanks to the drivers placed around the cylindrical speaker. Battery life is about 12 hours, but that's enough to power the bright LED halo at the bottom. Unlike some other products that use colorful light sources to look cool, Soundcore Flare does so tastefully, as the lights are more of a design accent than a primary function.

The 5 best waterproof headphones

Add the fact that you can connect two speakers to double the sound. Especially since one of the drawbacks would probably be that the speaker is not very loud, so doubling up on waterproof speakers is a good workaround. Anker announced the Soundcore Flare 2 at CES 2020, which retains its cylindrical design but adds a ring light to the top panel.

What other models to look out for

The Micro can be easily clipped onto a backpack and projects sound while hiking.

• Anker Soundcore Sport XL: Another quality product from Anker at a great price.
   
• Bose SoundLink Micro: Bose fans will appreciate this handy and durable speaker, which will serve as a great addition for travel.
   
• JBL Clip 3: The Clip series has always been known for good quality, and now, thanks to the improved design and extended battery life, this model can be called a serious competitor to many quality headphones. In addition, the speakers cost only about $50.
   
• JBL Flip 4: This model can safely be called one of the best waterproof speakers for less than $100.
   
• JBL Flip 5: Of all the Flip options, this speaker has the loudest sound, but the speaker isn't much better than the 4th generation model. Plus, it lacks a headphone jack - instead it has outdated Bluetooth 4.2 firmware.
   
• JBL Pulse 3: This model doesn't sound as good as the Charge 4, and it's clearly larger than the Flip 4, but the design is pleasing to the eye and the quality to the ear.
   
• Sony XB-41: As one of the best speaker manufacturers, Sony makes a great waterproof XB-41, which was long our number 1 choice before the Boom 3 came along.
   
• UE Megaboom: Probably not the best option for this price, but worth considering - the speaker is great.
   
• UE Roll 2: The previous model could already be called one of the best value for money options; the UE Roll 2 is even better. There are not many modifications, but they are there. In addition, the speaker is able to withstand total immersion in water.
   
• UE Wonderboom: If the UE Wonderboom 2's improvements don't appeal to you, consider buying the first-generation model.
   

Water Resistance Rating

The first thing to know is how much water the speaker can withstand. Of course, different speakers have different levels of protection. To know the degree of water resistance of the speaker, you need to look at its IP. This is a set of standards that a product passes through before receiving certification. Below is the most common classification.

The 10 best wireless headphones

	Waterproof	Waterproof	Can withstand
IPX0			Not waterproof
IPX1	✓		Drops (1 mm/min) Protection limit: vertical only
IPX2	✓		Droplets (3 mm/min) Protection limit: 15° angle
IPX3	✓		Splashes Protection limit: 60° angle
IPX4	✓		Heavy splashing in all directions
IPX5	✓		Jets (12.5 l/min) Example: water guns
IPX6	✓		Strong jets (100 l/min) Example: high-power water guns
IPX7		✓	Full immersion Protection limit: 1 m for 30 min
IPX8		✓	Full immersion Protection limit: 3 m for 30 min

Depending on where you'll be taking the speaker, some points become particularly important. If it's the beach, you don't have to worry about water damage, but sand and dust protection are worth paying attention to. If you're going to use the device by the pool, you don't have to worry about sand. But if you accidentally drop it in the pool, protection from water, of course, is the main thing.

Pros and cons of the waterproof speaker

JBL Flip 4 can connect to two smartphones simultaneously, so you and your friend can take turns playing the role of a DJ.

To sum it up: what makes a waterproof speaker so good? In addition to the obvious plus that follows from the name, such devices usually last a long time due to their shock resistance. Of course, you should try not to drop the speaker, because over time the parts will weaken. Nevertheless, these devices are created with the calculation of possible damage. Manufacturers strive for high quality products and customer loyalty, so water-resistant speakers are usually stronger.

Another great advantage is their mobility. Such speakers involve moving around. There are, of course, better devices in terms of sound, but mobility also plays a big role. You can simply put the speaker in your bag, or at least strap it to your bag.

But, again, the sound quality of waterproof speakers cannot be called top class. Dust and water protection doesn't make the speaker sound as great as its non-water-resistant competitors. And while there are actually many waterproof options with excellent sound, they are not generally comparable in price and some features to conventional ones. Typically, an extra feature like water resistance makes speakers more expensive. On the other hand, the price is justified by durability and longevity.

Topicals: 10 best Chinese wireless headphones , 4 best headphones for swimming , 6 best headphones for jogging , 6 best headphones for sleeping , 7 best earbud headphones , 7 best headphones for sports