Best waterproof Bluetooth speaker for outdoors 2024
Keep your favorite tunes playing on the beach, at the pool, or even on the boat.
1. At a glance
2. Best overall
3. Best high-end
4. Best small
5. Best attachable
6. Best cheap
7. Best boombox
8. Best rugged
If you are looking for a Bluetooth speaker that can withstand a pool party, a trip to the beach, or even an outing through the woods, you're in luck, as we've compiled a list of some of the best water-resistant Bluetooth speakers available out there. When protection against water and dust is important, the Megaboom 3 from Ultimate Ears remains one of the best options. On top of being completely rugged, the Megaboom 3 floats in water too!
With the Ulitmate Ears Megaboom 3, you get up to 20 hours of battery life, fuss-free USB-C charging, and the ability to connect up to 150 different compatible speakers. Ultimate Ears has also managed to pack in a surprising amount of bass in this thing, even when you're listening outdoors. Available in a range of fun colors, this superb Bluetooth speaker is loud and proud, as it should be.
At a glance
Best overall
Best overall
Ultimate Ears always takes the crown, with the Megaboom 3 being the ideal size for outdoor use. Some even argue that this is the best Bluetooth speaker of all time.
Best high-end
Best high-end
Sonos sets the bar with the Roam. This high-end portable speaker brings you audiophile-level sound quality on the go.
Best small
Best small
Sony's spunky little SRS-XB13 is famously budget-friendly, portable, and waterproof. You get good sound for the compact size.
Best attachable
Best attachable
Available in an insane number of color combinations, the JBL Clip 4 can practically be attached to anything thanks to its built-in clip. This one's ideal for activities like hiking.
Best cheap
Best cheap
It's small, it's robust, and it's versatile. The Tronsmart Groove 2 has RGB lights, a microSD slot, and even comes with a sturdy metal carabiner. The sub-$50 price tag is amazing.
Best boombox
Best boombox
Tribit outfitted the StormBox Blast with powerful internals, enabling it to shake the very earth. This RGB-ridden retro-esque boombox is a brilliant outdoor speaker.
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Best rugged
Best rugged
The mighty JBL Boombox 3 is one heavy piece of gear. It might be staggeringly chunky and expensive, but its rugged design and booming sound are worth it.
Best overall
1. Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
Our expert review:
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Ultimate Ears' Bluetooth speakers have always impressed us, and the Megaboom 3 improves even more over its predecessor. You have a range of up to 148 feet, so you can take your smartphone with you during the party, as opposed to leaving it on the same table and accessible to others. The surprisingly loud Megaboom 3 pushes out fantastic sound that doesn't crack, even at higher volume levels. You also get a great companion app to tweak the sound if you like.
On the water resistance front, this thing is a beast. The Megaboom 3 is IP67-certified and thus, offers great protection against water and dust. Plus, it loats in the water and can be paired with other compatible speakers to give you a much bigger sound output. This isn't limited to the exact same Ultimate Ears model either; you can pair the Megaboom 3 with up to 150 other Ultimate Ears speakers as long as they are the Boom, Megaboom, or Hyperboom models.
There is only a single downside here. While the Megaboom 3 does a fantastic job in terms of sound output, it lags behind in the charging department. The Megaboom 3 still relies on a dated micro-USB port for its charging needs, which can be frustrating even with the generous 20-hour battery life.
We've got our fingers crossed for a USB-C upgrade, but until then, the Megaboom 3 will have to do. It sounds so good and has such a robust design, that this is still the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker despite the ancient charging port.
Best high-end
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Sonos is an industry leader when it comes to speakers, headphones, sound systems, and much more, and the Sonos Roam shows why. Offering incredible audio quality in a gorgeous design, this portable speaker produces high-end sound and can take a beating like it's nobody's business. With an IP67-rating for water and dust resistance, it's ready for the outdoors as well.
Sonos Roam offers 360 degrees of sound and the soft rubber feet prevent scratching whatever surface you place it on. The accompanying Sonos app makes it super easy to switch between Bluetooth devices. Unlike the outdated micro-USB port on the UE Megaboom 3, the Roam charges via USB-C. It also supports Qi wireless charging, which is an unusual but welcome addition when it comes to the best water-resistant Bluetooth speakers.
You also get a cool feature called Sound Swap with the premium Bluetooth speaker. It allows you to effortlessly pair the Sonos Roam with any other Sonos speaker lying around nearby.
Best small
3. Sony SRS-XB13
Our expert review:
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Sony has been the king of upper and midrange audio gadgets for many years now. From the stellar Sony WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds to everybody's favorite WH-1000XM4 wireless over-ear headphones, Sony is a master at its craft. As such, it's no surprise that the brand excels in the Bluetooth speaker category too.
The SRS-XB13 water-resistant Bluetooth speaker sports a marvelously tiny footprint but despite that, it sounds amazing, with spunky bass and clear high notes. It doesn't cost a lot either, which is another point that works in the SRS-XB13's favor.
Sony SRS-XB13 is built to last, as it's packed with IP67-certification for water and dust resistance. The small size makes it easy to carry, but the strap you get makes it even more portable. There's also USB-C charging support and a built-in mic for hands-free calls and summoning smart assistants.
Best attachable
4. JBL Clip 4
Our expert review:
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Sometimes you don't need a Bluetooth speaker to light up a whole party, but for just your own individual listening pleasure, and that's where the JBL Clip 4 comes in. This little speaker includes an integrated carabiner that lets you clip it to a belt loop, your backpack, and a whole lot of other things.
JBL included IP67 water and dust resistance so it can withstand a hiking session, or if you get caught in the rain. The small water-resistant Bluetooth speaker also includes three easy-to-access control buttons on the front for playing/pausing your music and adjusting volume levels. Due to the small size, it can give you up to 10 hours of audio playback so it's not going to last all day but should still be able to keep up with your long hike.
Compared to its predecessors, JBL Clip 4 features a newer and better design with the carabiner integrated into the speaker's body. It's easy to attach to a belt, a strap, or a bag. Just like any modern gadget, the Clip 4 charges with a USB-C cable. You'll also be happy to know that this clever little speaker costs well below $100, making it a darn good deal.
Best cheap
5. Tronsmart Groove 2
Our expert review:
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Tronsmart makes loads of excellent Bluetooth speakers and they usually cater to the budget segment. The brand has been focusing its efforts on RGB-incorporated audio accessories of late, as seen in the T7 and the Halo 100. The original Groove is one of Tronsmart's most popular models and now the brand has rolled out a jazzy new successor to keep the crowd-favorite alive. This is easily the best Bluetooth speaker under $50 for anyone.
The Tronsmart Groove 2 is a rugged little speaker that comes with reinforced shock-absorbing casing all around it. You can easily drop it on a rock-hard surface without causing any damage at all. The Groove 2 is also IPX7-rated which makes it completely waterproof. It has a microSD card slot, an AUX input port, and Bluetooth 5.3 so you have multiple playback options. The 2,500mAh battery can last for up to 18 hours of playback without the lights and a little less than that with the lights on. You can juice it up via USB-C when needed.
Just like JBL Clip 4, the waterproof Tronsmart Groove 2 comes with a metal carabiner so you can attach it to any bag or loop. It also has a mounting hole at the bottom so you can screw it onto a stand too. Arguably the most enticing thing about the water-resistant Bluetooth speaker is the addition of RGB lights lining the speaker grill. You have multiple lighting modes and they all look really cool.
Best boombox
6. Tribit StormBox Blast
Our expert review:
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Much like Tronsmart, Tribit is also a well-loved and affordable audio brand that has produced some of our all-time favorite Bluetooth speakers. The StormBox Blast looks funky, has a built-in handle, and produces bombastic bass, as our own Harish Jonnalagadda described in his review.
Tribit promises as much as 30 hours of uptime from this power-packed waterproof Bluetooth speaker. The 90W output can fill up any room or open area with amazing sound. It's perfect for poolside parties and large gatherings. The battery life is rated for a whopping 30 hours of playback, but the speaker's RGB lights cut that down to 20 to 25 based on the playback volume. Speaking of RGB, Tribit StormBox Blast has plenty of LEDs with various light modes.
The speaker also has a spectacular audio preset called XBass that makes everything sound better. You can also adjust the equalizer through the companion app as you like. Everything about the StormBox Blast is easy to love, including the tantalizingly low price tag. We do wish that it didn't charge via an AC adapter, though that's to be expected from a speaker of this size. Tribit StormBox Blast is pretty heavy as well, so you should avoid it if you need something that's easy to carry and lightweight.
Best rugged
7. JBL Boombox 3
Our expert review:
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
JBL makes some of the best Bluetooth speakers, and the Boombox 3 is no exception. One of the best high-end speakers for rough use, the Boombox 3 is rated to go up to 24 hours on a single charge and can be recharged with the bundled AC adapter. This rugged dust and water-resistant Bluetooth speaker also doubles up as a powerbank, a feature that makes it even more versatile.
The Boombox 3 does cost a pretty penny, but once you listen to the loud and crisp soundstage it produces, you'll be sold. It gets super loud but if that's still not enough, there's always the PartyBoost stereo pairing functionality that allows you to sync it with other JBL speakers. Thanks to Bluetooth 5.3, you get a super quick and smooth connection, and the companion smartphone app helps you tune the speaker to your liking with little to no effort.
The downside to the Boombox 3 is that the speaker is much heftier than some other models, so you may not want to carry it with you for the entire day. And of course, it costs almost $400 to acquire one of these bad boys too.
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One thing to keep in mind about waterproof Bluetooth speakers (or anything!) is that there is a limit. For example, the IP67-certified Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 can stay submerged for up 30 minutes without risk, but you shouldn't leave it in the pool all day and expect it to keep working as new. Sound doesn't travel so well underwater anyway, and these speakers just make it so you don't need to worry if they ever get knocked in, splashed, or rained on.
There are so many great Bluetooth speakers out there. But, if you are looking for the perfect water-resistant Bluetooth speaker that is also portable, you would be hard-pressed to find a better option for the price than the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3. On top of having great sound quality, the Megaboom 3 also has a solid battery life with up to 20 hours of playback time on a full charge.
This list has the best water-resistant Bluetooth speakers in every conceivable shape, size, and price range. For something small and affordable, both the Sony SRS-XB13 and Tronsmart Groove 2 are great picks. If money and size aren't big concerns, check out the epic JBL Boombox 3.
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Namerah enjoys geeking out over accessories, gadgets, and all sorts of smart tech. She spends her time guzzling coffee, writing, casual gaming, and cuddling with her furry best friends. Find her on Twitter @NamerahS.
- Andrew MyrickSenior Editor - Chromebooks, tablets, and wearables