As technology continues to evolve, the demand for portable, high-quality, and durable audio devices rises. Waterproof speakers are a prime example of this trend, combining excellent sound quality with robust, weather-resistant design for outdoor and indoor use. They are the perfect companion for the beach, pool parties, or even casual listening in the comfort of your home. In 2023, the market is flooded with various waterproof speakers, each with its unique set of features and capabilities. However, a select few truly stand out from the rest.
Our curated list of the top 5 waterproof speakers of 2023 is here to guide you in making an informed choice. These speakers are not just known for their water-resistant capabilities, but also for their immersive sound quality, superior durability, and user-friendly features. They are designed to withstand the elements while delivering rich, high-fidelity sound, ensuring that your listening experience remains uninterrupted, no matter where you are.
The speakers on our list, namely the Sonos Roam, JBL Flip 6, Anker Soundcore Flare 2, Bose SoundLink Flex, and Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 3, are industry leaders, known for their innovative designs and top-tier performance. Each speaker offers unique features that cater to different user needs, whether it’s the need for a dynamic, party-ready light show, the convenience of app-controlled settings, or the desire for booming, 360-degree sound.
We dive into the specifics of each of these exceptional waterproof speakers. Whether you’re an audiophile seeking the best audio quality or an adventurer looking for a durable music companion, this list has got you covered.
Sonos Roam
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The Sonos Roam waterproof speaker is a top pick for 2023 if you’re seeking a portable audio device capable of providing superb sound quality in any environment, whether by the pool, at the beach, or even amidst a rain shower. It’s an ideal blend of portability, durability, and high-fidelity audio that’s designed to cater to the music needs of modern adventurers.
The Sonos Roam is engineered with a waterproof design, boasting an impressive IP67 rating, ensuring that it’s well-protected against water and dust. In addition, it’s drop-resistant, which means it can withstand the occasional tumble, making it a sturdy companion for your outdoor adventures.
One of the major draws of the Sonos Roam is its precision-engineered acoustics. It delivers clear, deep sound that’s hard to find in most portable speakers. This is achieved through its two Class-H digital amplifiers, a dedicated tweeter for a high-frequency response, and a mid-woofer for faithful playback of mid-range vocal frequencies and deep, rich bass.
The Sonos Roam also supports Airplay 2, making it easy to stream audio from your Apple devices. In addition, it comes with tuning features via the Sonos app, adjustable EQ, and the unique Sound Swap and Automatic Trueplay features, which adapt the sound to your surroundings and the music you’re playing.
The speaker offers a battery life of 10 hours, ensuring your tunes don’t stop before your adventure does. Its WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity options provide the flexibility of streaming music from your favorite online services or playing directly from your local device storage.
The Sonos Roam also features wrap-around speakers, which allow it to project audio in all directions, providing a consistent listening experience no matter where you are in relation to the speaker.
Key Features:
- Portable and waterproof (IP67) design for music anywhere, anytime
- Drop-resistant for durability in outdoor environments
- Precision-engineered acoustics via two Class-H digital amplifiers, a tweeter, and mid-woofer
- Supports Airplay 2 for easy streaming from Apple devices
- Adjustable EQ, Sound Swap, and Automatic Trueplay via the Sonos app for optimal sound in any environment
- Physical buttons for easy control and operation
- 10 hours battery life for long-lasting music enjoyment
- WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity for flexible music streaming
- Wrap-around speakers for a 360-degree audio experience
JBL Flip 6
The JBL Flip 6 is a portable waterproof speaker that brings your favorite tunes to life, no matter where you are. This speaker is designed to keep the music going during your beach, poolside, or hiking adventures in 2023 and beyond.
The JBL Flip 6 boasts a robust, IP67 waterproof, and dustproof design, so it’s fully equipped to handle splashes, sand, and dust. You can take it anywhere without worrying about the elements interfering with your listening experience.
With a dynamic frequency response range of 63Hz to 20kHz, the JBL Flip 6 delivers bold, balanced sound across all genres. The speaker’s fine-tuned audio performance is powered by Harman’s advanced audio algorithm, ensuring an immersive sound experience with each use.
The JBL Flip 6 is equipped with Bluetooth 5.1 technology, offering efficient and reliable wireless streaming from your mobile devices. It also features USB charging protection technology, which safeguards your device’s battery life while it’s connected.
One of the standout features of the JBL Flip 6 is the JBL PartyBoost support. With this feature, you can connect more than two speakers to create a fuller, richer sound experience. This is easily managed through the JBL Portable app, which also offers various customizable settings for your audio preferences.
Just like the wrap-around speakers, the JBL Flip 6 ensures that everyone around the speaker enjoys the same high-quality sound, irrespective of their position.
In conclusion, the JBL Flip 6 is more than just a portable speaker. It’s a reliable, durable, and versatile audio companion that promises to make every adventure more exciting with excellent sound.
Key Features:
- Portable, waterproof, and dustproof design (IP67) for all-weather use
- Dynamic frequency response range of 63Hz to 20kHz for a balanced audio output
- Bluetooth 5.1 technology for efficient and reliable wireless streaming
- Bold sound powered by Harman’s advanced audio algorithm
- JBL PartyBoost support allows connection with multiple speakers for a fuller sound
- USB charging protection technology to safeguard your device’s battery
- JBL Portable app for easy customization of audio settings
- Wrap-around speakers for a 360-degree audio experience
Anker Soundcore Flare 2
The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 combines high-quality audio with an engaging light show, making it the perfect party companion. This speaker is designed to add a dash of color and rhythm to your music, transforming your listening experience into a visual delight.
The Soundcore Flare 2 features an impressive design with LED lights at both the top and bottom of the speaker. These 24 Rainbow LEDs illuminate in sync with your music, creating a beat-driven light show that adds an extra layer of entertainment to your tunes.
This speaker is fully waterproof, featuring an IPX7 water-resistant certification, ensuring it can withstand spills, rain, and even complete submersion. So whether you’re at a pool party or caught in a sudden downpour, your music won’t miss a beat.
The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 is designed to deliver 360° sound through its 20W wireless speaker. Thanks to PartyCast technology, you can connect up to 100+ speakers to play the same song and display the same light show, creating an immersive audio-visual experience for larger gatherings.
With a single charge, the Soundcore Flare 2 offers up to 12 hours of playtime, ensuring your party continues late into the night. The speaker features USB-C charging for easy and convenient recharging when the battery runs low.
The Soundcore Flare 2 also offers multiple light modes, allowing you to tailor the light show to your mood or the vibe of your party. All these features can be easily controlled via the Soundcore app on your smartphone, providing a user-friendly interface to manage your audio and visual experience.
In summary, the Anker Soundcore Flare 2 offers a blend of high-quality sound, a captivating light show, and a durable, waterproof design, making it a must-have for any party or gathering.
Key Features:
- Unique design with 24 Rainbow LEDs for a beat-driven light show
- Fully waterproof with IPX7 water-resistant certification
- 360° sound from a 20W wireless speaker
- PartyCast technology allows connection with 100+ speakers
- EQ control and 6 mesmerizing lighting modes
- 12 hours of playtime and USB-C charging for convenience
- Control of audio and light show via the user-friendly Soundcore app
Bose SoundLink Flex
The Bose SoundLink Flex is a portable speaker designed to provide high-quality audio for your on-the-go lifestyle. This speaker combines impressive durability with a stylish, sleek design that comes in a variety of color options, perfect for expressing your personal style.
The Bose SoundLink Flex delivers high-quality audio, ensuring that your music, podcasts, or audiobooks sound crisp and clear, no matter where you are. This superior audio performance is further enhanced by Bose’s innovative PositionIQ technology, which automatically adjusts the sound based on the speaker’s orientation, ensuring optimal audio performance in every situation.
This speaker is designed with durability in mind. It boasts an IP67 rating, making it both water and dustproof, so you can enjoy your favorite tunes in all sorts of environments. The rugged design can withstand falls to the ground, ensuring your speaker is protected from potential damage.
With the Bose SoundLink Flex, you can also enjoy a more immersive audio experience by seamlessly pairing it with other Bose speakers. This feature, along with the reliable Bluetooth 4.2 technology, makes the Bose SoundLink Flex a versatile audio solution for any occasion.
Offering 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, this speaker ensures that your music keeps playing all day long. Its soft-touch silicone exterior and powder-coated steel grille with a fabric utility loop make it easy to carry and durable in various conditions.
The Bose SoundLink Flex is not just a speaker, but also a hands-free control hub. With the Bose Connect app, you can control the speaker and manage your audio content without touching the speaker. In addition, a built-in microphone transforms the device into an audio input device for calls, making it a multifunctional addition to your tech arsenal.
In summary, the Bose SoundLink Flex is a portable, durable, and stylish speaker that delivers high-quality audio, making it a perfect companion for all your adventures.
Key Features:
- Simple portable design with a carry-on strap and multiple color options
- High-quality audio with PositionIQ technology for sound adjustment
- Water and dustproof (IP67) with a rugged design for enhanced durability
- Seamless pairing with other Bose speakers for an immersive audio experience
- Hands-free control with the Bose Connect app
- Reliable Bluetooth 4.2 technology for efficient wireless connectivity
- 12-hour battery life on a single charge for all-day music enjoyment
- Built-in microphone for hands-free calls
Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 3
The Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 3 is a speaker that truly lives up to its name, delivering booming sound in a stylish and durable package. This speaker is designed to provide an immersive audio experience, whether you’re enjoying a peaceful day at home or hosting a lively outdoor party.
The MegaBoom 3 sports an impressive cylindrical design with wrap-around speakers that deliver super-powerful 360-degree sound. This immersive audio experience is powered by spatial 360-degree sound technology, enhanced by an extra-large woofer that brings a thundering bass to your music.
Durability is a key feature of the MegaBoom 3. Its two-tone, light-shifting fabric is not only tough and eye-catching but also available in a variety of colors to match your personal style. With an IP67 water and dustproof rating, this speaker can withstand the elements, making it a perfect companion for your beach, poolside, or camping trips.
The MegaBoom 3 offers an impressive 20-hour battery capacity, ensuring your music keeps playing all day and night. When it’s time to recharge, the included charging dock provides a convenient and easy solution.
The MegaBoom 3 also offers hands-free control via the Boom app, making it easy to manage your music without needing to touch the speaker. Plus, if you’re hosting a large gathering or party, this speaker supports connections with over 150+ other speakers, creating a full-blown, synchronized sound system.
In conclusion, the Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 3 is a speaker that combines powerful sound, impressive durability, and stylish design to provide an immersive audio experience for any occasion.
Key Features:
- Impressive cylindrical design with wrap-around speakers for 360-degree sound
- Spatial 360-degree sound technology and an extra-large woofer for a thundering bass
- Durable, two-tone light-shifting fabric in eye-catching colors
- Water and dustproof with an IP67 rating for use in all environments
- 20-hour battery capacity with a convenient charging dock
- Hands-free control via the Boom app for easy music management
- Supports connections with over 150+ speakers for large gatherings or parties.
How does the IP rating on a waterproof Bluetooth speaker work?
The IP (Ingress Protection) rating is a standard used to define the levels of sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures against intrusion from foreign bodies such as dirt and water. The rating consists of two numbers. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid particles, ranging from 0 (no protection) to 6 (full protection against dust). The second digit represents the level of protection against liquids, ranging from 0 (no protection) to 8 (protection against long periods of immersion under pressure).
For example, a speaker with an IP67 rating is fully protected from dust (6) and can also withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes (7). It’s important to note that while a higher IP rating means better protection, no speaker is entirely waterproof, and prolonged exposure to water, especially at depths or high pressures, could still potentially cause damage. Always consult the user manual for the recommended usage conditions of your specific speaker.
