Nothing quite sets the tone of a poolside or beachside party like a waterproof Bluetooth speaker. However, it might be difficult to navigate the waterproof Bluetooth speaker market in time for your next summer soiree- with all the specifications and limitations each device might have.
If you’re a prospective buyer but are having trouble choosing which speakers are worth your money, fret not: here is a list of the top 10 waterproof Bluetooth speakers on the market.
Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3
An all-around impressive speaker, the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is bound to impress at any event you bring it to. In terms of utility, the speakers have an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, which means it is incredibly resistant to dust and water damage, alongside floatability and a built-in carrying loop so you can bring them near anywhere.
The only downside is its size: small speakers typically aren’t built to carry the deep rumbling bass of genres like EDM, and MEGABOOM 3 is no exception. However, seeking a compromise may be difficult due to the MEGABOOM 3’s superior soundstage and floatability.
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2
A sister product to the MEGABOOM 3, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 carries many of the qualities of its relative: the same dust-and-water resistance rating, floatability, and carrying loop. It even shares the size issues of MEGABOOM 3; the one area where it outperforms is its price tag. Although it isn’t as powerful as the MEGABOOM 3, the WONDERBOOM 2 is much cheaper, making it a good choice for those seeking great quality on a smaller budget.
Anker Soundcore Flare 2
The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 offers a level of control for those who like to fine-tune their speaker sounds through the graphic EQ and presets on its companion Soundcore app, which allows users to edit which frequencies come through strongest. Great for those on budget, this Bluetooth speaker has an IPX7 rating, which indicates its usability in water. Plus, it does better with bass sounds than the MEGABOOM 3.
However, it doesn’t perform as well at max volume. At higher volume levels, this speaker struggles with compression, which degrades audio quality and can damage the speaker if overused as well.
Anker Soundcore 2
More affordable than the Soundcore Flare 2, the Anker Soundcore 2 is a premier option for those who want great quality at a less intimidating price point. It shares many qualities with the Soundcore Flare 2, including its water resistance. However, it underperforms in one notable way: it isn’t compatible with the Soundcore app, thereby taking away that kind of control. It also lacks the bass capabilities of the Soundcore Flare 2; however, it still performs well for its lower price.
Sonos Roam
The top-tier smart waterproof Bluetooth speaker, the Sonos Roam comes with voice assistant support from Alexa and Google Assistant. The IP67 rating confirms it’s very resistant to dust and water, and it comes with a unique sound correction feature known as Trueplay, which adjusts the sound to the room it’s in.
Its biggest flaw is the issue common across all small speakers: it does not handle rumbling bass frequencies well and struggles at higher volumes. Plus, the Trueplay feature is only available on iOS devices, which might be an issue if you’re not a fan of Apple technology.
Sonos Move
A cousin to the Sonos Roam, the Sonos Move boasts many of the same great features, including the voice assistant capability. With a slightly lower IP56 rating, this speaker isn’t quite as resistant to dust and water as the Roam, but its larger size gives it advantages in certain aspects. The Move is better at handling high volume and rumbling bass, making it great for bigger parties.
However, its size also presents unique challenges, such as the lack of portability of its smaller, mobile cousin displays. As a bonus, though, its IP56 rating does guarantee its survival even in heavy rainfall, meaning wherever you park it, it’ll be unharmed by the elements.
JBL PartyBox 310
Yet another speaker of a larger size, the JBL PartyBox 310 makes a great sonic centerpiece for any party, with its large stature and flashy RGB lights. This JBL speaker also offers control through the graphic EQ on its companion app, as well as great bass and volume capabilities which can entertain rather large spaces. Though its IPX4 rating means it isn’t as water or dust resistant as other options here, it is still quite capable of withstanding some poolside splashes.
Sony SRS-XE300
If you’ve got a little bit of cash on you but can’t afford the MEGABOOM 3, the Sony SRS-XE300 offers quite a lot of great features at a slightly lower price. The IP67 rating guarantees it will resist dust and water fairly easily, and its heftier size allows it to project low-bass frequencies well. You can also download its companion app to use the graphic EQ feature for fine-tuning and can even use the Sony Fiestable app to add extra sound effects.
Tribit StormBox Micro
The most portable of the speakers listed here, the Tribit StormBox Micro, weighs about 8 ounces and can fit into almost any pocket. The IP67 rating guarantees protection against dust and damage, and it also comes at a low price fitting for such a tiny device. The issues it faces are typical for small speakers, only amplified by its even more compact shape – issues with bass frequencies, volume management, audio compression, and low battery life, just to name a few.
LG XBoom Go PL7
The final entry on this list is the LG XBoom Go PL7, which is a treat for the eyes with its sleek visual style and engaging RGB lights. The speaker comes with an IPX5 rating – less tolerable of water and dust compared to other entries on this list but still quite resistant to any accidental drops into the water. Plus, the sound quality is top-notch, able to provide good bass and treble for the party, alongside a battery life of 24 hours – what’s not to love about this cylinder?
Conclusion
Hopefully, these 10 options inspire you as you plan your next big summer event. There are speakers out there for any type of party planner: whether you’re looking to go big with the PartyBox 310 or the Sonos Move. If you’re more comfortable with smaller guest lists, like those who can be entertained by the Sonos Roam or the Tribit StormBox Micro, there really is a speaker out there for anyone.