9 best waterproof Bluetooth speakers, tested poolside

The Charge 6 is a compelling upgrade with bigger sound, expanded connectivity, longer battery life, and smart audio capabilities. Music aficionados who desire an all-purpose, fully featured waterproof speaker at an attainable price. In our tests, JBL speakers often outperform audio brands with a much longer pedigree.

The JBL Charge 6 offers overall balanced sound and a strong IP68 waterproof rating.

JBL speakers are known for distorting at high volume, but the Charge 6 keeps playback controlled and listenable when blasting jams. A 20mm tweeter comes paired with a redesigned woofer to deliver bold, room-filling bass. Mids are clean and highs remain balanced. Live shows and vocal-heavy tracks benefit from enhanced clarity. Frequency response can be fine-tuned via customizable EQ. The all-new AI Sound Boost feature intelligently tweaks audio output in real time based on your surroundings. Audiophiles will also love USB-C lossless playback to hear more detail and depth in recordings.

Customization and pairing are handled through the JBL Portable app, where users can select multiple music presets, toggle listening modes, and enable PartyBoost for dual-speaker mode. Auracast is available to pair up to 100 compatible JBL speakers at once.

The Charge 6 holds up to 28 hours of playtime, which outlasts noteworthy rivals like the Beats Pill (24 hours) and Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 (20 hours). Fast-charging (10 mins = 2.5 hours), intuitive onboard controls, and a mean-looking grille designed to survive the ugliest conditions make this speaker top-billing material.

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Shower crooners wanting an affordable, no-frills waterproof speaker with a mean audio punch. While it's not quite big enough to act as a party speaker, it's under $100 and built for travel. Plus, it floats, though we don't recommend putting that to the test.

We can recommend several bargain waterproof speakers to hang from your shower caddy. In the end, the Wonderboom 4 offers the most value based on battery life, sound, and safety.

Don’t be fooled by its tiny size because the speaker pumps out more bass than the average mid-range speaker. UE’s cylindrical design projects impactful lows from every direction, boosting spirits and bringing vibrance to morning showers. Listening at max volume causes distortion. Then again, almost 90 percent of wireless speakers under $100 do the same. Turning the volume down a few notches creates satisfying mixes. The new Podcast EQ is critical for audiobooks, podcasts, and other dialogue-heavy content; vocals sound crisp and rich.

The rugged mesh exterior prevents moisture and other hazards from damaging both the inside and outside of the speaker. A 14-hour charge is enough for a month of daily shower use. Other notables include multi-speaker pairing and the six-button control scheme for seamless operation.

Sadly, the Wonderboom 4 is missing several upscale brand features (the graphic EQ is greatly missed). You can’t pair it with older Wonderboom models either. If none of that bothers you, then the speaker can make for a wonderful shower companion.

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Read our full review of the Beats Pill speaker.

The popular Beats Pill is worthy of several accolades — it's the best waterproof speaker for iOS users and Apple superfans, especially if you want a portable wireless speaker under $100. However, this speaker really shines if you need to take the occasional phone call. Like, say, if you're working by the pool, to pick one totally hypothetical example.

The latest Beats Pill brought the company’s portable wireless speaker back to relevance, making numerous essential changes, while maintaining series staples. Its often-discounted price tag (usually $99) has also made it one of the best wireless speakers deals around. 

Audio is the Pill’s greatest strength – mainly call quality. Business types can engage in clear-sounding conversations by the pool area or in their hotel room. Siri voice activation can help execute mobile tasks.

Bass response is handled much better this time around, feeding listeners energetic lows, alongside crisp mids and transparent highs. The soundstage is well-balanced and accommodates most music genres. Pairing multiple speakers at a time creates compelling stereo sound that you can feel from every angle. The addition of USB-C lossless playback is another key feature worth exploring, especially for computer users who want hi-res results from a cool-looking desktop speaker.

Speaking of design, Beats kitted the 2024 Pill with modern aesthetics that maintain the speaker’s style and sturdiness. IP67 certification keeps it water- and dust-resistant. There’s a detachable lanyard to carry the speaker or attach to backpacks. The rubberized exterior and bumpers keep the speaker safely guarded. Small touches like the iconic B logo and refreshed button setup are nice additions, too. Our only complaint is the dainty enclosure that dents easily.

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Those who want the closest thing to an audiophile model in the sub-aquatic category. If you prioritize aesthetics, the Kilburn has a much more sophisticated look than you'll typically find in the waterproof category.

Marshall sells many excellent-sounding wireless speakers, but the Kilburn III is best suited for outdoor listening. If it isn’t the model’s spectacular audio, then its extended playtime or gorgeous design will surely pull you in.

The company’s True Stereophonic multi-driver system is at the helm and produces spacious, finely detailed 360-sound. Clarity remains exceptional at all volume levels. Bass can be overly aggressive, depending on the track, but it’s never off-putting. EDM, hip-hop, neo soul, and rock recordings have just enough punch on the low end to satisfy bassheads, while also giving mids and highs full attention. Other proprietary technologies stabilize sound output: Dynamic Loudness automatically adjusts bass, mids, and treble at any volume.

Like every other Marshall speaker, the Kilburn III’s craftsmanship is elite. What’s not to love about the amp-inspired design. The fine-textured leather is smooth, and the brass-plated buttons and knobs look as great as they function; fine-tuning bass, treble, and volume is seamless. IP54 certification is one of the lowest in the sub-category, but still sufficient for keeping the speaker damage-proof from accidental spills and heavy splashing. 

You’re not going to find a speaker with more playtime than the Kilburn III. A full charge generates up to 50 hours of use. Furthermore, the speaker doubles as a charging bank to power up mobile accessories on the go. Marshall even lets you swap out the battery to extend battery life.

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DJs, musicians, and party hosts who want a versatile audio system for entertaining large outdoor crowds.

Even though Mashable has the JBL PartyBox Stage 320 as the market’s top party speaker, we must be respectful to the waterproof label. Hence, why we're naming the Soundboks 4 as the best waterproof party speaker.

Let’s start with the obvious: size. This thing is enormous compared to most portable speakers. That doesn’t take away from the Soundboks 4’s meticulous design, which produces optimal sound, no matter the environment. The aluminum frame, steel grill, and poplar cabinet are incredibly thick to safeguard internals. An IP65 rating provides heavy water resistance. Silicone ball bumpers on each corner yield high-impact protection. The integrated handle is also a nice touch, though the excessive size and weight (35.5 pounds) doesn’t exactly meet portable standards.

Under the hood lies a pair of 10-inch woofers and a 1-inch compression driver tweeter powered by three 72W Class D amplifiers. We’re talking professional sound specs here. Throw an adaptive DSP and proprietary Bass Enhancer technology into the mix, and the Soundboks 4 achieves high-end audio that no other waterproof competitor can match.

Music sounds spacious, sonorous, and extremely loud out of the box. The companion app hosts a customizable EQ to modify sound preferences, granted Soundboks’ default EQ is already magnificent. Musicians can take advantage of the pro-panel configuration to connect external audio sources (e.g., DJ mixer, guitars, microphones).

Rounding out this beast is a 40-hour battery that can be swapped out for extended playtime. However, the AC adapter can’t be used as a power source at high volumes, so we strongly advise recharging the speaker when not in use.

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Outdoor adventurists in need of a damage-proof speaker that dishes loud, boom-filled sound without sacrificing volume. Not only is this Anker speaker waterproof, but it's built for saltwater protection as well.

The Boom 3i is a terrific all-around speaker with monstrous sound that complements its robust composition. Its hard-shell design is dustproof, waterproof, and saltwater resistant (up to 5x the industry average, according to Anker). This speaker can also float in water, and though Anker confidently advertises this, we don’t recommend it for any portable speaker.

Anker’s Signature EQ formulates a warm, punchy sound suitable for outdoor listening. Mids lack clarity, and highs are often veiled, but adjusting the EQ gets you a fuller, more nuanced sound. We found the Boom 3i to be one of the loudest mid-range speakers out there; it is audible from 300 feet away. Be mindful of how loud you play music, as listening at max volume can cause the speaker to rattle.

A full charge equates to 16 hours of listening time. High volume and special features (e.g., BassUp mode, RGB lighting) can eat through half the playtime. 

Lastly, the Boom 3i possesses cool safety features. It has an emergency alarm, a voice amplifier to record messages in the app that play on the speaker, and a Buzz Clean mode for vibrating debris off the grille. These perks alone make this handheld speaker a magnificent value, especially when it's on sale.

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Sonos fanboys who are heavily invested in the brand’s audio products and want digital assistant functionality outside of the house or on the go.

The market for waterproof speakers with voice activation is incredibly small. If you’re looking for one, the Roam 2 answers the call with striking sound and unique features that appeal to Sonos users.

Connectivity is the speaker’s biggest selling point. Not only does the Roam 2 connect to Bluetooth, so you can use it with a smartphone in any environment, but it can also automatically switch to WiFi and become part of your Sonos multiroom setup. Having it placed on your balcony or front porch lets you enjoy all interconnected perks, from app-based controls to voice assistance, which performs surprisingly well in loud settings. 

Audio performance feels closer to a home speaker, which speaks to t