electronics
Best waterproof Bluetooth speaker 2021
Aug 26th, 2021
The best waterproof Bluetooth speakers
Are you looking for a waterproof speaker suitable for summer weekend getaways? If the answer is yes, you are in the right place.
As the cozy evening continues by the lake, sea or pool, music remains a central part of the festive atmosphere. However, the conditions are easily dangerous for the speaker, as anyone would like to see their Bluetooth speaker break from the dock when dropped into the water. This has also been provoked by the manufacturers, so more and more travel speakers are investing in waterproofing.
For many, a rather natural question may come to mind: why choose a waterproof speaker instead of a Bluetooth speaker ? First, the options are not mutually exclusive, as the lists have many of the same designs. Second, some devices clearly invest more in sustainability than others. If you plan to listen to music outdoors, you want the speaker to withstand splashes, rain, and other surprises.
In order for a model to be included in this list, its water resistance must be at least equivalent to the IPX7 rating. In practice, this means that the device can withstand falling into water or spraying without any problems.However, the models on our list are not just waterproof. The models are also robust and durable. Namely, we know from experience that the breakdown of a speaker from a table to a fall is bad. Bumps, scratches and dust are common in the case of travel speakers.
Reliability and water resistance are important issues, but other issues need to be considered. We have chosen models for this list, taking into account different needs. The options differ in terms of price, sound quality, design and connectivity, among other things.
Without further ado, it’s time to move on to the list. It is also worth noting that we will update this article as new models appear. So if you plan to postpone the decision until next summer, you should return to it at the latest.
The best waterproof Bluetooth speakers in a nutshell:
1. UE Wonderboom 2
2. Sonos Roam
3. JBL Flip 5
4. Anker Soundcore Flare
5. UE Boom 3
6. Ultimate Ears Megablast
7. JBL Charge 5
8. JBL Boombox
9. Tribit XSound Go
10. Braven Stryde 360
1. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
The original UE Wonderboom was at the top of our list for a long time, as its durable construction and surprisingly strong sound were a positive surprise. In addition, the model could be connected to another UE Wonderboom speaker to create stereo sound.While UE Wonderboom 2 looks virtually identical to its predecessor, there are a few significant improvements. Battery life has been improved by about 30 percent, the bass is beating better than before and there is an Outdoor Boost effect that produces extra sound.As a whole, the UE Wonderboom 2 is a moderately improved Bluetooth speaker that only strengthens Ultimate Ears ’position at the top of our list.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Weight: 0.42 kg
- • Battery life: 10 hours
- • Wireless range: 32 meters
- • Frequency response: 80 Hz to 20 kHz
- • Speaker elements: 2 x active 40 mm, two 46 x 65 mm passive speaker cavities
- • NFC: Yes
- • USB charging: Yes
2. Sonos Roam
We think Sonos Roam is the best Bluetooth speaker right now. The model's IP67 certification for dust and water tightness also makes it an excellent alternative for outdoor use.The model, released in 2021, follows in the footsteps of Sonos Move. Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity are available, allowing use not only as a travel speaker but also as part of your home’s Sonos sound system. Support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa Virtual Assistants is also included. So even those looking for a smart speaker will not be disappointed.The tiny Sonos speaker offers great sound, a durable construction, versatile connections and the ability to control a smart home. Concentrated bass is especially suitable for outdoor spaces, but fortunately the Sound Swap feature allows you to enjoy the model at home as well. However, a small imbalance in favor of the bass can cause a little irritation to the most accurate ears.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Weight: 0.43 kg
- • Battery life: 10 hours
- • Wireless range: More than 30 meters
- • Speaker elements: 1 x tweeter, 1 x center speaker
- • NFC: Yes
- • USB charging: Yes (USB-C)
3. JBL Flip 5
The JBL Flip 5 is a prime example of how the best wireless speakers don’t always shine with their technological superiority. It offers a simple speaker as well as a limited number of features without unnecessary crumb hands. Where, for example, loudspeaker calls are not possible, the audio itself is really great. The sleek design and IPX7 certification also ensure that the JBL Flip 5 can do well outdoors. The pruning of extra shingles is reflected in the price in a good way, as the speaker is sold in Finland for up to 80 euros.There are plenty of models that play with colors. Those who are more environmentally conscious will also like the Eco Edition, which is made from 90% recycled plastic. In addition, the entire sales package is made of biodegradable material.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Weight: 0.54 kg
- • Battery life: 12 hours
- • Frequency response: 65 Hz to 20 kHz
- • Speaker elements: 40 mm
- • Bluetooth connection: 4.2
4. Anker Soundcore Flare
Anker is known for its great lower end wireless speakers. We weren't quite convinced of the sound quality of the Anker SoundCore 2 , but you can't demand too much from such an affordable product.So what happens if there’s a little more grip in your purse? Add twenty more to the counter, and instead of SoundCore 2, you get Soundcore Flare - a great waterproof Bluetooth speaker that excels in comparison to others.It offers good sound quality, a waterproof construction and an excellent user experience. The LED light show feels like an unnecessary extra drink, but you can get it off if you want. This is an excellent option, especially in terms of price.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Weight: 530 grams
- • Battery life: 12 hours
- • Wireless range: 20 m
- • Drivers: 2 x 1.75 "Full Range + 2 x Passive Radiator
- • Aux-in: Yes
- • Bluetooth version: 4.2
- • Weather resistance: Yes, IPX7 rating
5. UE Boom 3
The UE Boom 3 is one of the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers today. It produces a strong sound with no cracking even as the volume increases. In addition, the durable speaker is easy to move due to its light size.Plus, it’s both waterproof and dustproof, and its one-button control system is easy to use, and doesn’t necessarily require a separate phone to select songs.There are, of course, higher quality speakers on the market (see, for example, Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin, found a little lower), but the UE Boom 3 with a reasonable price tag is hard to beat. And that is already indicated by the fact that UE Boom has been at the top of our list for the third year in a row.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Weight: 540 grams
- • Battery life: 15 hours
- • Wireless range: About 10 meters
- • Frequency response: 90 Hz to 20 kHz
- • Elements: Passive, 2 x 1.75 "and 2 x 1.75" x 3 "
- • NFC: Yes
- • Aux connection: Yes
- • USB charging: Yes
6. Ultimate Ears Megablast
UE Megablast is the flagship of Ultimate Ears waterproof speakers. Its large structure guarantees a solid sound and a battery life of 20 hours, even when listened to at high volume.In particular, the bass is clearly stronger than in the smaller UE Boom 3 and Wonderboom 2 models. If it’s not an evening party but an honest party, this is clearly the most sensible option. However, those who are less satisfied with a much cheaper price get almost as good sound quality, so there is no Megablast for all needs.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Weight: 0.88 kg
- • Battery life: 20 hours
- • Wireless range: More than 30 meters
- • Frequency response: 65 Hz to 20 kHz
- • Speaker Elements: Two 2-inch speakers and two 4-inch speaker enclosures
- • NFC: Yes
- • Aux connection: Yes
- • USB charging: Yes
7. JBL Charge 5
The JBL Charge 5 doesn’t offer the same gigantic feature list as the JBL Pulse 4 , which specializes in a separate light show. Instead, the Fifth Charge model takes a significant leap forward in sound quality and volume. You can do this without sacrificing battery life.The buttons on the top of the speaker are slightly higher than in the previous version. It comes with keys to start and stop playback, adjust the volume, power, Bluetooth pairing, and a separate "Party Boost" that makes the volume even louder. The model is equipped with IP67 water and dust tightness.The back of the speaker has a waterproof USB-C connection and a USB-A port located under the cover. The latter can be used to charge the phone. Instead, the 3.5mm aux connector familiar from the JBL Charge 4 predecessor has fallen off the ride. This hardly hurts most users, but for some it can be a significant downside.The JBL Charge 5 produces more sound than you might think based on the look of the speaker. There is plenty of depth and pitch in the soundscape, as the impressive bass does not obscure other sounds. This makes the model an excellent option for value for money.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Weight: 0.96 pounds
- • Battery life: 20 hours
- • Wireless range: About 10 meters
- • Frequency response: 65 Hz to 20 kHz
- • Bluetooth: 5.1
- • USB charging: Yes
8. JBL Boombox 2
At one time, boomboxes were an iconic sight. Their purpose was to look huge, go with them and most of all play the hit music as loud as possible. The huge sound barrier often did not celebrate with glory, but the earwigs got a ride as Poppi roared at the campsite, in the park and at other gathering places.JBL pays homage to history with its Boombox 2 travel speaker. It’s a Bluetooth speaker that plays music really loud. And when we say ‘hard’, we mean ‘HARD’.The device’s predecessor was on this list before, but now the even louder JBL Boombox 2 has taken its place. This cannot be taken for granted, as the JBL Boombox was also quite a horror to the neighbors.The equipment is similar in many ways, and the price is still really high. Therefore, recommending the JBL Boombox 2 is not entirely unproblematic, as it is ultimately quite a one-dimensional device. If you want to play music so loud that there is a jam in the neighboring village alongside the opposite beach, this is the best device at the moment. Others should turn to smaller and brighter devices - albeit at the expense of volume.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Weight: 5.25 kg
- • Dimensions: 49.5 x 19.6 x 25.4 cm
- • Battery life: 24 hours
- • Frequency response: 50 Hz to 20 kHz
- • Aux connection: Yes
- • Bluetooth connection: 5.0
- • USB charging: Yes
9. Tribit XSound Go
In many cases, price can lead to quite far-reaching conclusions about quality, but Tribit XSound Go makes a happy exception in this area. The affordable speaker sounds good and loud enough. Even if the volume is raised to the ceiling, there is no distortion except at the highest sounds.Tribit XSound Go sounds better than you would think based on price. Balanced sound and more than 20 hours of battery life offer a lot of joy. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the IPX7 water and dust tightness. While the design doesn’t cause cheers, the whole is a great solution for those looking for a budget model.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Weight: 0.38 kg
- • Dimensions: 56 x 59 x 170 mm
- • Battery life: Up to 24 hours
- • Wireless range: 30 m
- • Frequency response: 85 - 20,000 Hz
- • Speaker elements: N / A
- • Aux connection: Yes
- • USB charging: No.
10. Braven Stryde 360
The last on our list is the Braven Stryde 360, which is a fairly even performer in every area. The sound quality is pleasing to the ear, but the bass remains ugly flat. The 12-hour battery life is a good average and there is no fault with the water resistance. The design, on the other hand, is a bit unimaginative, which feels a bit boring alongside the stylish competitors.The Braven Stryde 360 is a good basic replacement, but there are many better models on offer in terms of price range.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Battery life: 12 hours
- • NFC: No.
- • Aux connection: No.
- • Bluetooth connection: N / A
- • USB charging: No.
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