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The best waterproof speakers you can buy in 2023
For rain, sun and everything in between
If you're planning on buying a Bluetooth speaker to use outdoors, always go waterproof. Not only are you protected from sudden downpours, but they'll also give you peace of mind while you're at the beach, on a camping trip or enjoying a family barbeque in the back garden.
Many are also a great companion for listening to your music or podcasts while navigating a hiking trail or resting during a long walk as they'll have dust protection, too.
Best waterproof speakers
While lots of Bluetooth speakers can blast music via a streaming service on your smartphone or laptop – not all of them can withstand the elements when you bring them outside. Instead, the best waterproof speakers can survive being plunged into water or left out in the sun for hours at a time – but they're still lightweight enough to pop in your backpack while travelling, deliver booming audio and give you many hours of battery life between charges.
Sonos Roam
Pros
- High-end design
- Fantastic audio quality
Cons
- No built-in handle
Weight: 430g | Battery life: Up to 10 hours | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Bluetooth range: Up to 40m | Voice control: Yes | Dimensions: 16.8 x 6.2 x 6cm
Sonos is one of our favourite audio brands for multi-room audio, and the Roam proves that it can also make an impressive portable waterproof speaker.
Like its indoor-only models, you can connect it to WiFi for an ultra-strong connection and as a result, the wireless range is much higher than many Bluetooth rivals – letting you stray much further from the device without losing quality in your audio.
We love the design – you can place it upright or on its side – and we think it looks just as good resting on a coffee table next to your pile of comics or hardback recipe books as it does when resting beside the pool on a summer getaway.
Bose SoundLink Flex
Bose SoundLink Flex
Pros
- Rugged design
- Solid battery life
Cons
- Range isn't as good as some rivals
Weight: 600g | Battery life: Up to 12 hours | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Bluetooth range: Up to 9m | Voice control: Yes | Dimensions: 9 x 20.1 x 5.2cm
For a slightly more affordable alternative to the Sonos Roam that doesn't compromise on build or sound performance, get the Bose Bose SoundLink Flex.
It has a solid battery life and a simple (but attractive) look that is rugged enough to withstand both dust and water dunks. There may be more affordable and lightweight options on our list, but this one does it all – suitable for your holidays, parties, picnics and garden gatherings. We think it's great for travel due to its rugged build quality and all-round performance that can handle all conditions.
There is a utility loop on one side so you attach it to a carry bag using a metal carabiner, plus a built-in mic so you can also take calls or use your phone's voice assistant directly through the speaker.
Anker Soundcore 3
Pros
- Lasts for ages between charges
- Great value for money
Cons
- Build not as premium as some rivals
Weight: 372g | Battery life: Up to 24 hours | Waterproof rating: IPX7 | Bluetooth range: Up to 20m | Voice control: No | Dimensions: 17.4 x 5.99 x 5.69cm
If you're travelling, you don't want to worry about your speaker's battery life. The Soundcore 3 lasts for 24 hours between charges – which is not quite as much as the Beosound Explore on our list but given it's a third of the price we reckon it is ideal for throwing in your bag without too much worry about it suffering a few bumps.
You'll want to pick the Soundcore 3 instead of the Soundcore 2 as it uses USB-C instead of Micro USB (so charging is faster) and it comes with a detachable strap that wraps around one end to increase portability. The big downside is that it has not been tested for dust protection, so we'd be a bit more careful at the beach.
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
Pros
- Floats on top of the water
- 360-degree sound
Cons
- Not much audio customisation
Weight: 420g | Battery life: Up to 14 hours | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Bluetooth range: Up to 40m | Voice control: No | Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.53cm
If your Bluetooth speaker does end up plunging into water, you'll still have to fumble around trying to fetch it from the bottom of the ocean like Aquaman searching for his long-lost trident. That's not a problem with the Wonderboom 3 – it floats!
Combine that with the bright colour options and design that's instantly recognisable due to those oversized volume buttons and you have a great model for all weather conditions (or, you can simply bring it into the shower or bath).
While there's not much in the way of additional audio customisation or voice assistant support, we appreciate that you get 360-degree audio for multi-directional tunes, over a dozen hours of battery and heaps of range.
Sony SRS-XB13
Pros
- Very affordable price point
- Comes with a strap
Cons
- Not as loud as some other speakers
Weight: 253g | Battery life: Up to 16 hours | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Bluetooth range: Up to 10m | Voice control: No | Dimensions: 7.6 x 7.6 x 9.5cm
This compact waterproof speaker – smaller than a coffee mug – is good value at its £55 RRP, but we regularly see it discounted to under £40, and that's a true bargain.
While the sound isn't going to compete with the Bose or Sonos models, we like that the audio mix prioritises bass and that it comes with a strap so you can hang the speaker on tree branches, sun loungers or backpacks.
If you buy two you can pair them together to get even better stereo sound and it's one of the lightest of our favourite options, so it'll work well for travelling, too.
Sonos Move
Sonos Move
Pros
- Fantastic sound performance
- Slots into multi-room audio setup
Cons
- Not very portable
Weight: 3kg | Battery life: Up to 11 hours | Waterproof rating: IP56 | Bluetooth range: Not specified | Voice control: Yes | Dimensions: 24 x 16 x 12.6cm
Not every speaker needs to be ultra-portable. The Move will probably stretch your budget and won’t stray further than the back garden, but it’s one of the best-sounding outdoor speakers around.
Much like most of the brand's offerings, it can be added to a multi-room audio setup and pairs to your home WiFi for a stable connection. But unlike many of its Sonos siblings, it's powered by a rechargeable battery (you get up to 11 hours between charges) and has a built-in handle.
It's resistant to splashes of water (not submersion), so it won't be ruined if a downpour interrupts your barbeque but it's not one for the beach or pool. We do appreciate that its frame is also shock-absorbent, though.
JBL Go 3
Pros
- Small and sturdy design
- Integrated loop for travel
Cons
- Limited battery life
Weight: 209g | Battery life: Up to 5 hours | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Bluetooth range: Not specified | Voice control: No | Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.9 x 4cm
The tiny JBL Go 3 is one of the most travel-friendly waterproof speakers due to its sturdy compact design and integrated loop for attaching it to your backpack or luggage.
Unlike the big models on our list this won't weigh you down (it's the lightest model on this list) but you still get JBL's reliable audio performance.
There's a good variety of vibrant colour choices – including red, blue, pink, orange and green – and we're fans of the chunky mesh-coated design that's also fully resistant to dust. It's just a shame that the battery life tops out at five hours.
JBL Charge 5
Pros
- Solid audio performance
- Good battery life
Cons
- Quite a chunky size and shape
Weight: 960g | Battery life: Up to 20 hours | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Bluetooth range: 30+m | Voice control: No | Dimensions: 22 x 9.6 x 9.3cm
Planning a long hike or a full day by the pool during a late-summer getaway? The JBL Charge 5 gives you 20 hours of battery life and it even doubles as a power bank for refuelling your phone or tablet throughout the day via the rear USB-C port.
It will survive all weather conditions, and like the JBL Go 3 you can choose from lots of multiple colours, including white, pink and camo. It's certainly one of the largest and thickest Bluetooth speakers – roughly the size of two Coca-Cola cans that have been stacked on top of each other – and it doesn't look as premium as the Sonos or Bose speakers, but that extra battery is a big bonus.
Beosound Explore
Beosound Explore
Pros
- One of the best-looking speakers
- Selection of stylish colours
Cons
- No voice assistant support
Weight: 637g | Battery life: Up to 27 hours | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Bluetooth range: 30+m | Voice control: No | Dimensions: 12.4 x 8.1 x 8.1cm
The Beosound Explore is for adventurers who don't want to skimp on luxury. This waterproof speaker gives you a bold cylindrical design in a variety of subtly stylish colours.
All of the usual attributes of an outdoor speaker are here – water and dust protection, a rugged design with a strap and built-in carabiner – but you also get 360-degree sound from the speaker's body so you don't have to worry about where it's placed.
It excels at battery life, with up to 27 hours between charges, so this is a speaker that's suitable whether you're up a mountain or sipping a mojito while catching up on the Reading festival highlights in your garden. Buy it via the Bang & Olufsen website and you can get a free three months of Tidal, too.
Bose SoundLink Micro
Bose SoundLink Micro
Pros
- Shower-friendly design
- Helpful tear-resistant strap
Cons
- Limited battery life
Weight: 290.3g | Battery life: Up to 6 hours | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Bluetooth range: Up to 9m | Voice control: No | Dimensions: 9.83 x 9.83 x 3.48cm
The tear-resistant strap on the back of this flat waterproof speaker is ideal for clasping onto your shower fixture for listening to music or podcasts. You get that solid Bose sound performance and it's fully protected against water and dust – with the design also ideal for clamping onto bike handlebars, a sun lounger or your paddleboard.
It's small and lightweight, and delivers up to six hours of battery life before needing a top-up. The design language is quite similar to the SoundLink Flex that's also on our list, and if you already own one of those you can pair the two speakers together and enjoy stereo sound.
How to know if a speaker is waterproof?
The quickest way to check if your speaker is actually waterproof is to check its IP rating. This stands for Ingress Protection and basically tells you whether your device has been tested to survive a battle against water and dust – and to what degree it's protected. There are loads of these ratings, but the common ones you'll see on speakers are IP67, IPX7 and IP56.
The IP always stands for Ingress Protection. The first number relates to how protected it is from solids (like dust), while the second number relates to how safe it is from moisture and liquids (such as water splashes or submersion). If you see another letter on the end it relates to the level of protection against pressure, but that's not relevant for speakers.
Let's keep it simple: go for IP67 if possible. That rating means it's been tested to be protected against dust particles and being dunked in water of up to one metre for at least 30 minutes, so if it falls into the pool's shallow end you can grab it out without worrying about damage. Some of the best models – like the Bose Flex and Wonderboom 3 – float.
Any models that are described as IP56 are protected from dust and water, but only strong jets of liquid and not total submersion. IPX7 models (like IP67) will still work just fine after being dunked into water for 30 minutes at a depth of up to one metre, but they have not been tested against dusty conditions so you'll need to be cautious using them on windy hiking trails or the beach.
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