The best waterproof speakers you can buy in 2020 are essential little pieces for music lovers who want a simple and reliable way to get their music out there. The best part is that many of these waterproof speakers are not only designed to be waterproof but also rugged, which means you don't have to worry about a rain smear, pool splash, or 'an accidental drop. Whatever your needs, finding a waterproof (or outdoor) enclosure designed to handle the elements will make all the difference. We know that no one intends to get their Bluetooth speakers unnecessarily wet, but accidents can happen. This means that if you plan to take your speaker outside, you'll need to make sure it's protected from rain, waves, or puddles. Many of them are also designed to be completely waterproof, which means that they can not only withstand a little rain, but can also provide air for your morning shower. Our pick of the best waterproof speakers of 2020 comes with an IPX7 water resistance rating, so even if you don't plan on swimming with your outdoor speaker, you can rest easy knowing it could withstand accidental submersion or a rain shower: you can never be too careful. But durability and waterproofing are not everything. Below, we've rounded up the best models based on a number of factors, including price, sound, design, and connectivity—not only do these devices stand up to rain, pools, and spills, but they're also the best. waterproof speakers you can buy right now. Read on for our top pick, with FAQs and an explanation of water resistance below.
The best options
(Image credit: Ultimate Ears)Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 1
Big sound from a small waterproof speaker.Weight: 0.93 pounds | Battery life: 10 hours | Wireless range: 100+ feet | Frequency response: 80 Hz - 20 kHz | Drivers: two 40mm active drivers, two 46 x 65mm passive radiators | NFC: no | Auxiliary input: no | USB charging: yes Excellent sound for its size. IP67 dustproof/waterproof 30% longer battery life Restrictive sound scene The original EU Wonderboom is at the top of our best waterproof speaker list since its inception and for good reason: it's robust, it gets louder than its diminutive sound suggests and could be combined with other UE Wonderboom speakers to amplify the sound. Although EU Wonderboom 2 is almost identical to the original, Ultimate Ears is packed with a multitude of upgrades that make Wonderboom 2 even better, like increased battery life (up to 30% compared to the original), better bass response and the new Outdoor Boost feature that helps the speaker get even louder than before. Combined, these seemingly minor updates not only keep the EU Wonderboom 2 on our list of best outdoor speakers for another year, but help make it one of the best Bluetooth speakers you can buy, period. . Read the full review: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
(Image credit: Denon)2. Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
Great sound and grown-up look with this waterproof speakerWeight: 0.93 pounds | Battery life: 13 hours | Wireless range: 100+ feet | Frequency Response: TBC | Drivers: two 40mm active drivers, one 53 x 135mm passive radiator | NFC: no | Auxiliary input: yes | USB charging: yes Great sound quality Neutral design IP67 water resistance Hard buttons If you want a waterproof speaker that doesn't look like a waterproof speaker, get the Denon Envaya DSB-250BT. It will fit in a stylish living room but has an IP67 water resistance, allowing it to withstand total immersion. It's also the loudest speaker of its size, with meaty bass and audio balance you'd expect from a stereo master like Denon. There's an Envaya Mini if you want something smaller too. complaints? To make the water resistance work, the case has rubberized panels instead of buttons that are clickable, and sometimes they're not that hard to press. But if it's not a small problem, what is? Read the full review: Denon Envaya
(Image credit: JBL)3.JBL Flip 5
A fun, no-frills waterproof speakerWeight: 1.2 pounds | Battery life: 12 hours | Wireless Range: N/A | Frequency response: 65 Hz - 20 kHz | Drivers: 40mm | NFC: no | Bluetooth version: 4.2 | Auxiliary input: no | USB charging: no
Engaging and entertaining sound Easy to use No 3.5mm input No microphone for hands-free calls. The JBL Flip 5 is proof that the best Bluetooth speakers aren't always the ones with the most impressive specs, and with an IPX7 rating, they double as waterproof speakers. The JBL Flip 5 is a simple soul with Bluetooth-only playback and modest functionality, but if you want a rugged portable speaker with great sound and can sacrifice voice control or hands-free calling, you won't be disappointed. Thanks to its sleek design (camo network anyone?) and great sound, it's a steal at $119.95 / £119.99 / AU$149.95. Are you also looking for USB charging? Meet the JBL Charge 4. Read the full review: JBL Flip 5 Review (Image credit: Anker)4. Anker Soundcore Flare
A dynamic outdoor speaker that delivers impressive sound.Weight: 1.2 pounds | Dimensions: 5.25 x 5 x 2.25 inches (H x W x D) | Battery life: 8 hours | Wireless range: 30 feet | Frequency Response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | NFC: no | Auxiliary input: yes | Bluetooth Version: N/A | Sealed: yes | Charge devices via USB: No Incredibly inexpensive Impressive sound for the size. Average Battery Life Hard at Max Volume You may know Anker best for its electronic accessories and chargers, but its flagship waterproof speaker, the Anker Soundcore Flare, combines the best features of its competitors in an affordable package that's hard to beat. For the price, the Flare offers good sound, a rugged, waterproof build, and an excellent user experience. The LED light show is a bit of a gadget, of course, but it's certainly fun and can be turned off entirely. While other outdoor speakers may sound better, you'll have to spend a lot more money. Read the full review: Anker Soundcore Flare
(Image credit: Ultimate Ears)5. Ultimate Ears Boom 3
One of our favorite waterproof speakersWeight: 1.2 pounds | Dimensions: 5.25 x 5 x 2.25 inches (H x W x D) | Battery life: 8 hours | Wireless range: 30 feet | Frequency response: N / A | Drivers: N / A | NFC: no | Auxiliary input: yes | Bluetooth version: N / A | Sealed: yes | Charge devices via USB: No
Brilliant design Slightly improved sound More robust feature set Battery life doesn't improve The UE Boom 3 is one of the best outdoor speakers to buy in 2019. It's a speaker that can get loud and not distort at higher volumes. ; Be light enough to keep moving but remain durable enough to drop in an unprotected bag. It's waterproof and dustproof, and has a one-touch mixer button that lets you browse your favorite playlists without reaching for your smartphone. There are certainly more detailed speakers out there (see: Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin below), but at a price that's relatively affordable for everyone, the EU Boom 3 hits all the right notes for the third year in a row. Read the full review: UE Boom 3 (Image credit: Fugoo)6. Fugoo style
A small outdoor speaker that raises the bar.Weight: 1 pound | Battery life: up to 40 hours | Wireless range: 30+ transmissions | Frequency Response: 60Hz-20kHz | Drivers: Two 28mm neodymium tweeters, two 39mm neodymium aluminum midrange/woofers, two 43mm x 54mm passive radiators | NFC: no | Auxiliary input: yes | USB charging: yes Customizable look It's impressive Incredible battery life Don't use the latest technology If you're new to Fugoo, you're probably missing out on some of the best waterproof speakers in the world. The Fugoo style not only offers the longest battery life of any speaker on this list (40 hours!), but it also comes in a small book. Fugoo's design philosophy is to offer different "jackets" (Style, Tough or Sport) to fit your "core" speaker to suit different styles. The Fugoo Style waterproof speaker offers an excellent combination of size, sound fidelity and autonomy at an affordable price. Read the full review: Fugoo Style
- This product is only available in the United States at the time of writing. British and Australian readers: discover a great alternative in the EU Wonderboom
7. Ultimate Ears Megablast
Great sound and great battery in this outdoor speakerWeight: 1.93 pounds | Battery life: 20 hours | Wireless range: 100+ feet | Frequency response: 65 Hz - 20 kHz | Drivers: two 2" drivers and two 2" x 4" passive radiators | NFC: yes | Auxiliary input: yes | USB charging: yes
Convenient Alexa integration Bigger sound, better drums. Expensive The charging station is sold separately. The EU megablast is at the top of the Ultimate Ears line of waterproof speakers. Its larger size means the Megablast can get loud and can last up to 20 hours at significant volume. The bass is stronger and richer than its little brothers UE Boom 3 and Wonderboom 2, and it's the speaker for anyone who really wants to blast their music at a party. For people who want to save money, the other Ultimate Ears speakers cost much less and sound almost as good. Still, it's not a bad option if you want a personal assistant with you on the beach. Read the full review: Ultimate Ears Megablast Image Credit: JBL (Image Credit: JBL)8. JBL Boombox
A waterproof party speaker that sounds goodWeight: 11.57 pounds | Dimensions: 10.01 x 19.48 x 7.69 inches (H x W x D) | Battery Life: N/A | Wireless Range: N/A | Frequency response: 50 Hz - 20 kHz | NFC: yes | Auxiliary input: yes | Bluetooth version: 4.2 | USB charging: no
360-degree sound Built-in microphone Short battery life Doesn't charge smartphone In terms of audio prowess, the JBL Boombox came as a pleasant surprise: It's a monstrous waterproof speaker that not only makes noise, but also it stays pretty neat when you pump up the volume. It's heavy and not the easiest to transport, but it's durable enough to handle any group or tailgate party. That said, we can't recommend the Boombox as a home speaker. You can find comparable sounds in form factors that take up less ground, but if you plan to party on the patio, pool, beach, or tailgate, you might find it, then this should be moot to play the tunes Read Full Review: JBL Boombox (Image credit: Tribit)9.Tribit XSound Go
This inexpensive outdoor speaker has no right to sound that goodWeight: 0.83 pounds | Dimensions: 56 x 59 x 170 (mm) | Battery life: up to 24 hours | Wireless range: 30m or 100ft | Frequency response: 85 - 20,000 Hz | Drivers: N/A | NFC: no | Auxiliary input: yes | USB charging - Not expansive Excellent battery life Forward sound Charging takes a long time If you believe the old adage that you get what you pay for, you can't expect much from the sound quality of the Tribit XSound Go. Fortunately, this adage has never been less applicable: the speaker is loud enough to fill a medium-sized room, and at full volume, there's only a little distortion in the treble. In all honesty, the Tribit XSound Go shouldn't sound that great for the price, but it does. The speaker impresses with balanced sound, is nearly distortion-free at high volumes and lasts for over 20 hours of incredible playback at medium volume. Plus, the speaker is IPX7 waterproof and dustproof, so it can handle a day at the beach or pool without a problem. While its design might be forgettable, you won't mind once you hear how great the XSound Go sounds. Read the full review: Tribit XSound Go
(Image credit: Braven)10. Braven Stryde 360
A versatile, weather-resistant speaker at an affordable price.Weight: N/A | Dimensions: N/A | Battery Life: N/A | Wireless Range: N/A | Frequency Response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | NFC: no | Auxiliary input: no | Bluetooth Version: N/A | USB charging: No Syncs with second speaker Excellent value No 3.5mm aux jack Average battery life Last on our list is the Braven Stryde 360 which, to be fair, is a solid waterproof speaker that is average in almost every way. Sound quality is good, but the speaker has problems with bass response. The battery life is on average 12 hours and its design is not particularly distinctive. For the price there are better options, see: one of the above speakers, but if you've gone this far and still haven't found what you're looking for, the Braven might be this one. Read the full review: Braven Stryde 360
- This product is only available in the United States and the United Kingdom at the time of writing. Australian readers: discover a great alternative in the UE Roll 2
Most frequently asked questions
Outdoor Speaker FAQ: Answers to Quick Questions
- Can you put an indoor speaker outside? This is possible, depending on the type of power output. A wireless speaker can be placed anywhere, as long as it is close enough to its source device - smartphone, computer, or other. Please note that indoor speakers are generally not waterproof. Therefore, it is always preferable to build one so that the exterior is safe.
- What is the good power for outdoor speakers? 5W may be suitable for a quiet picnic, but you'll want more for a lively barbecue or outdoor party. In comparison, most smart TVs come with speakers up to 10W.
- How many outdoor speakers do I need? It depends on the volume of the device and where you put it. To cover multiple spots around a garden or patio, you may want several.