Best waterproof speakers 2023: The top speakers to withstand water you can buy today
Enjoy great audio in the bath, at pool parties and beyond with our pick of the best waterproof speakers
If you live in the UK, you’ll know that rain is never too far away, so owning one of the best waterproof speakers is a great method of ensuring you can keep the music playing and the good times rolling whatever the weather.
But the best waterproof speakers come in handy regardless of where you live or the climatic conditions you’re used to. Being able to enjoy audio while taking a shower or bath safe in the knowledge you won’t damage your speaker is one of life’s great pleasures, while water-resistant speakers provide peace of mind when around those prone to spillages, such as young children or adults that may have had one drink too many.
Not all speakers come with the necessary level of protection to survive a sudden deluge, dip in the pool or glass of vino poured over them, however. And even if they do, they may not have all the other features you need. To help you select the best waterproof speaker for your needs, we’ve gathered together our favourite options across a wide range of categories and price points.
All of our recommendations below have been thoroughly tested to ensure that water will never get in the way of your audio enjoyment again, whichever one you choose. We’ve also included a comprehensive buying guide detailing all the things you should consider when buying a waterproof speaker.
How to choose the best waterproof speaker for you
What is a waterproof speaker?
That might seem like a silly question but hear us out. Given that many products claim to be water-resistant and weatherproof, it can be difficult to parse which speakers are actually waterproof and which can only withstand a few spots of rain. Thankfully, you can find exactly just how resistant a speaker is to the elements by looking at the IP rating it possesses.
What is an IP rating?
In this context, IP stands for ingress protection and refers to how effectively devices prevent external agents from getting inside their structure and potentially damaging important components. The first digit in an IP rating relates to the ingress of solid particles such as dust, with the second referring to protection against water.
Products are only awarded official IP ratings if they’re able to successfully demonstrate their ability to withstand these agents. When discerning a device’s water resistance, a product will be tested at specific water quantities, pressures and angles and for varying lengths of time. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of what a device needs to be able to withstand to achieve each level IP rating.
| First digit (protection against ingress of solid objects like dust and dirt) | Second digit (protection against ingress of water) |
| X: Not tested | X: Not tested |
| 0: No protection | 0: No protection |
| 1: Solid foreign objects ∅ ≥ 50mm | 1: Vertical droplets for at least 10mins |
| 2: Solid foreign objects ∅ ≥ 12.5mm | 2: Diagonal droplets (15 degrees) for at least 10mins |
| 3: Solid foreign objects ∅ ≥ 2.5mm | 3: Rain-like, diagonal sprays (up to 60 degrees) for at least 5mins |
| 4: Solid foreign objects ∅ ≥ 1.0mm | 4: Splashed water for at least 10mins |
| 5: Dust protected | 4K: Splashed water under greater pressure |
| 6: Dust tight | 5: Water jets for at least 3mins |
| 6: Powerful water jets for at least 3mins | |
| 6K: Powerful water jets under even greater pressure | |
| 7: At least 30-minute submersion at 1m depth | |
| 8: Continuous submersion at 3m depth | |
| 9K: Powerful, high-temperature water jets |
What IP rating should I look for?
For assurance that your speaker is waterproof, you’ll want to go for products that have a number seven or higher in the second column of the table above. This guarantees that should you inadvertently drop your new purchase into any shallow body of water, it will still be functional when you fish it out.
While level 9K would appear to be the ultimate protection on paper, you won’t find that attributed to speakers since 9K figures are usually reserved for road appliances and other construction-centred products. That leaves IP67 and IP68 as the top-tier options to look for as they’re both dustproof and waterproof, meaning they can handle just about any conditions you throw at them.
Speakers with IPX4, IPX5 and IPX6 ratings are not considered waterproof as they are unable to withstand lengthy immersion in water. They’re still water-resistant, however, and will survive a rain shower or having a drink spilt on them, so aren’t bad options if you only plan on taking your speaker outside occasionally.
That said, this is a roundup of the best waterproof speakers, so all the models on this list possess a rating of at least IPX7, with most of them completely protected against the ingress of dust, too.
What other features do I need besides waterproofing?
Since you’re looking for a waterproof speaker, it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll want to be able to carry it around with you relatively easily. Consequently, getting a speaker that’s compact and lightweight yet able to meet your audio output needs should be high up your priority list.
Another essential spec to consider is battery life. Without the safety net of a mains power supply, you’ll want to make sure that your speaker can keep playing music for a sufficient length of time. That is usually between eight and 16 hours, but the best batteries can hit figures upwards of 25 hours at moderate volumes.
Most waterproof speakers use Bluetooth as their primary form of connecting to an audio source, but it’s also worth looking out for the ability to connect to Wi-Fi networks. This is especially true if you’re a fan of using voice controls, as wireless support often goes hand in hand with support for voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
How much should I spend on a waterproof speaker?
Waterproofing isn’t a feature that has to cost an arm and a leg, with many of the best portable Bluetooth speakers being waterproof by default. The cheapest worthwhile waterproof speakers – with IP67 protection – start from around £50, while more premium options can rise well above the £200 mark. There’s plenty of value to be found between those two price points, but the general rule of thumb is the more you pay, the more features and better sound you’ll receive.
How we test the best waterproof speakers
Waterproof speakers are tested in the same manner as every other speaker at Expert Reviews. Setup and connectivity options are evaluated before moving on to the sound quality of the speakers themselves.
Sound reproduction is assessed across all supported mediums and with waterproof speakers that is typically via Bluetooth across all supported codecs. We’ll listen to music from a wide range of genres, as well as voice-led audio like podcasts, during this process so you know exactly how a speaker will fare for your own tastes and listening preferences.
There are often additional features to consider, usually found in accompanying smartphone applications, and we’ll always dive into them to see what extra functionality they provide. And given waterproof speakers are usually taken out and about, we’ll test whether battery life is as long as a manufacturer states. All the above is compared with waterproof speakers of a similar price tag so you know exactly where they sit in the market.
Specifically for waterproof speakers, however, we’ll be testing that the IP rating of their build is reflected by the product in reality – after all, a waterproof speaker isn’t much use if it breaks after contact with water. Depending on a speaker’s particular IP rating, that could be anything from a light spray of water to a 30-minute soak in the bath.
READ NEXT: The best Bluetooth speakers money can buy
Best waterproof speakers to buy
1. B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen: Best waterproof speaker under £250
Price when reviewed: £234 | Check price at Amazon
Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound A1 is one of the best Bluetooth speakers around and it also happens to be waterproof, making it any easy choice for this list. Its audio quality is excellent, and its 40-hour battery life at low volume (around half that at moderate listening levels) is equally outstanding. Other useful features include Amazon Alexa voice assistant support via the Alexa app and the ability to use the Beosound A1 as a speakerphone for calls thanks to its three built-in microphones.
It’s not as robust as some of the other options on this list, but it looks gorgeous, and its IP67 rating certifies it fully dustproof and waterproof so it will survive immersion in 1m of water for up to 30 minutes. You’re unlikely to leave a speaker of its price soaking for anywhere near that long, but it’s good to know you could if you wanted to.
Read our full B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen review for more details
Key specs – IP rating: IP67; Drivers: 2; Inputs: USB-C; Outputs: No; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.1; Voice assistant: Supported (via Alexa app); Dimensions (WDH): 133 x 133 x 46mm; Weight: 552g
2. Marshall Middleton: Best-looking waterproof speaker
Price when reviewed: £269 | Check price at Amazon
Looking for a seriously attractive waterproof speaker? Enter the Marshall Middleton. Its woven, amplifier-style grille, adorned with the company’s instantly recognisable logo, is a feast for the eyes, and should prove particularly popular with fans of rock and guitar music.
While larger and heavier than most portable Bluetooth speakers, its impactful audio outshines the competition thanks to the inclusion of two 3in 15W woofers and two 3/5in 10W tweeters. The result is impressive bass paired with a defined mid-range and accurate treble that can be customised using physical controls or the Marshall Bluetooth companion app.
A carry strap makes its hefty frame reasonably easy to lug around, leaving our only real grumbles relating to battery life and price. The former is stated at 20 hours but the Middleton only lasted 12 hours during testing, while the latter is higher than a lot of the competition.
Read our Marshall Middleton review for more details
Key specs – IP rating: IP67; Drivers: 4 (plus two passive); Inputs: Aux-in, USB-C; Outputs: USB-C; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.1; Voice assistant: No; Battery life: 20 hours; Dimensions (WDH): 230 x 95 x 109mm (WDH); Weight: 1.8kg
- Also consider: Marshall Emberton II (£150)
3. Sonos Roam: Best waterproof speaker for most people
Price when reviewed: From £170 | Check price at Amazon
While the vast majority of waterproof speakers have Bluetooth connectivity, most lack the ability to stream audio over a Wi-Fi connection. The Sonos Roam is one of a handful that can be hooked up to your wireless network and integrated into a multiroom speaker system.
That connectivity also allows the Sonos Roam to double as a smartspeaker since Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are built-in. Other tricks up the Roam’s sleeve include support for Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, while the Sonos app provides integrated access to a huge range of streaming platforms.On the audio front, the Roam produces powerful, bass-heavy sound that’s ideal for outdoor use, where its IP67 rating comes in very handy. Its battery life of ten hours could be better, but it’s not too shabby for a speaker of the Roam’s size and didn’t prevent it scooping Best Bluetooth Speaker at our Tech Product of the Year Awards in 2021.
Read our full Sonos Roam review for more details
Key specs – IP rating: IP67; Drivers: 2; Inputs: No; Outputs: No; Wireless: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5, Airplay 2, Spotify Connect; Voice assistant: Yes; Battery life: Up to ten hours; Dimensions (WDH): 168 x 62 x 60mm; Weight: 430g
4. Tronsmart T7: Best waterproof speaker for use without a phone
Price when reviewed: £43 | Check price at Amazon
While Bluetooth connectivity is incredibly handy, sometimes you’ll find yourself yearning for a way to enjoy audio when you’ve not got your smartphone. The Tronsmart T7 is perfect for such situations, as it has a TF/microSD card via which you can play saved audio files.
Not only does it possess that rare ability, but it sounds great for the money, with twin tweeters and a single woofer producing crisp mids and highs alongside booming bass, the levels of which can be tweaked using the Tronsmart app.
The speaker boasts an IPX7 rating and respectable battery life of up to 12 hours with its RGB lighting turned off. Those qualities, alongside a competitive price, make the T7 a brilliant budget solution for those who love kayaking, paddleboarding and other water-based activities where bringing your smartphone is just too risky.
Key specs – IP rating: IPX7; Drivers: 3 (plus two passive); Inputs: MicroSD; Outputs: No; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.3; Voice assistant: Supported (via microphone); Battery life: 12 hours; Dimensions (WDH): 78 x 216 x 8.5mm; Weight: 870g
5. JBL Flip Essential 2: Best waterproof speaker under £100
Price when reviewed: £80 | Check price at Amazon
The JBL Flip Essential 2 may be smaller and slightly quieter than speakers such as the Tronsmart T7, but it delivers crystal-clear sound with a beautifully bright punch. That clarity is appreciated throughout the sonic spectrum: bass is rich and textured, highs are clean and crisp, and mids are well defined.
Even its apparent faults aren’t major wrongs. That marginally lower maximum volume, for instance, is primarily down to the Essential 2’s size, and its compact form enables it to be popped into an average trouser pocket fairly comfortably.The impressive build and sound quality does come at a cost, however, with the Flip Essential 2 slightly pricier than many of its similarly specified competitors. It also lacks welcome extras such as a built-in microphone or SD slot, but in terms of overall quality, you won’t find better than the IPX7-rated JBL Flip Essential 2 for under £100.
Key specs – IP rating: IPX7; Drivers: 1; Inputs: No; Outputs: No; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.1; Voice assistant: No; Battery life: Ten hours; Dimensions (WDH): 175 x 70 x 68mm; Weight: 520g
6. Huawei Sound Joy: Best waterproof speaker for battery life
Price when reviewed: £119 | Check price at Amazon
The Sound Joy is a solid all-rounder that excels in one key area: battery life. When listening at moderate volume you can expect up to 26 hours of use, which is a lot more than most speakers of the Sound Joy’s ilk can manage and makes it ideal for long stays away from a charging port.
An IP67 rating ensures it can be used in all manner of conditions without succumbing to water or dust damage, and the sound quality it delivers is impactful, in no small part due to Huawei’s collaboration with high-end audio manufacturer Devialet. Effective sonic dispersion and a bass-heavy default sound profile result in punchy performance across different musical genres and environments, and the speaker performs particularly well outdoors.
A multicoloured LED ring adds a dash of colour to the Sound Joy and the AI Life companion app provides a few useful customisation options, including the ability to sync the lights to whatever’s playing, which is rather cool.
Read our full Huawei Sound Joy review for more details
Key specs – IP rating: IP67; Drivers: 2; Inputs: No; Outputs: No; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.2; Voice assistant: Supported; Battery life: Up to 26 hours; Dimensions (WDH): 70 x 70 x 200mm; Weight: 680g
7. Anker Soundcore Motion X600: Best waterproof speaker for spatial audio
Price when reviewed: £200 | Check price at Amazon
If you yearn for the retro style of 50s radios, the Anker Soundcore Motion X600 should be your first and last stop for a waterproof speaker. While the IPX7-rated metal and plastic body is a big draw, the X600 has plenty going for it beyond water resistance and aesthetics. There are five drivers tucked away inside the speaker and together they’re capable of producing loud audio that’s rich with detail. While it sounds great out of the box, the X600 has a few tricks to further boost its audio quality.
The LDAC Bluetooth codec is supported, allowing you to enjoy high-resolution streaming, the BassUP feature cranks lower frequencies to skull-rattling levels, and Soundcore’s take on spatial audio uses an upwards-firing driver to expand the soundstage. These bells and whistles drain the already mediocre battery life, but if you’re ok with charging a bit more often, the Motion X600 has got style and substance to spare.
Read our full Anker Soundcore Motion X600 review for more details
Key specs – IP rating: IPX7; Drivers: 5; Inputs: USB-C, AUX-in; Outputs: No; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.3; Voice assistant: Supported; Dimensions (WDH): 311 x 81 x 122mm; Weight: 2.35kg
8. LG XBOOM Go XG7: Best waterproof speaker for bass
Price when reviewed: £99 | Check price at Currys
Perfect for a barnstorming party come rain or shine, the LG XBoom Go XG7 offers some of the beefiest low frequency reproduction in the portable speaker market. Its 30W woofer and 10W tweeter are capable of some serious volume in what is still a fairly compact package.
Considering this raw power, you might expect battery life to be disappointing; however, the Go XG7 can keep on going for up to 24 hours straight. If you’re willing to sacrifice a few of those hours, you can also showcase the speaker’s fully customisable lighting effects.
It’s not as well suited to genres where bass takes a backseat since greater clarity, particularly around the mid-range frequencies, can be found elsewhere. Still, should you want some impressively loud volumes and hard-hitting lows, the XBOOM Go XG7 is an easy recommendation.
Key specs – IP rating: IP67; Drivers: 2; Inputs: USB-C, 3.5mm; Outputs: USB-A; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.1; Voice assistant: Supported; Dimensions (WDH): 261 x 91 x 95mm; Weight: 1.09kg
9. Tronsmart Halo 100: Best-value waterproof speaker for parties
Price when reviewed: £100 | Check price at Amazon
Party speakers tend to fall into one of two categories: hulking great beasts packing a potent sonic punch or lightweight options that sacrifice power for portablity. The Tronsmart Halo 100 is both powerful and portable, and better still, very reasonably priced.
It’s capable of outputting 60W (RMS) and delivers hearty bass frequencies guaranteed to kickstart any social occasion. While it’s slightly heavier than most of the other speakers on this list, an in-built carrying handle ensures it’s easy to move around and an IPX6 rating for water resistance means it’s protected against the elements, too.The Halo 100’s multi-coloured LEDs produce an attractive display and pulsate in time to your music, though having them on does reduce battery life from around 18 hours to a slightly disappointing eight. Still, that’s plenty of time to have a boogie and shouldn’t deter you if you’re after a loud, value-for-money, waterproof party speaker.
Read our Tronsmart Halo 100 review for more details
Key specs – IP rating: IPX6; Drivers: 4; Inputs: TF card, 3.5mm, USB-A; Outputs: USB-A; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.3; Voice assistant: Supported; Dimensions: 198 x 150 x 287mm; Weight: 2.72kg
10. JBL Clip 4: Best waterproof speaker for travelling
Price when reviewed: £60 | Check price at Argos
What are waterproof speakers for if not to produce sparkling audio amidst an onslaught of rain and other elements? With its lightweight, compact and robust frame, the JBL Clip 4 is the standout pick for on-the-move listening in the great outdoors.
Its carabiner clip design allows you to attach it to backpacks and other looped straps and it’ll sit securely there until removed. Due to its oval shape, audio is directed directly outwards when in situ, making it ideal for group listening while on a trek. An IP67 rating ensures it’s not only waterproof, but completely protected against the dirt and dust that’s likely to collect while you’re on your travels.Other ultra-compact picks, like its stablemate the (marginally less powerful and less bassy) JBL Go 3, are decent alternatives. But for this, albeit specific use case, there is nothing better than the Clip 4 for £50.
Key specs – IP rating: IP67; Drivers: 1; Inputs: No; Outputs: No; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.1; Voice assistant: No; Battery life: 10 hours; Dimensions (WDH): 86 x 46 x 135mm; Weight: 0.24kg
11. Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore: Best waterproof speaker for minimalist design
Price when reviewed: £169 | Check price at Amazon
Should the retro aesthetic of the Emberton II not match up with the modern, outdoorsy lifestyle you seek, Bang & Olufsen has an attractive alternative.
The Beosound Explore is an ultra-stylish waterproof speaker that is guaranteed to catch the eye of your fellow adventurers. A slatted anodised aluminium grille runs all the way around its can-shaped body and provides ample protection while giving the speaker a look that’s equally at home in the great outdoors or on a coffee table.Scratch-resistant, drop-protected and IP67 rated, the Beosound Explore looks and feels practically indestructible. But beneath its rugged build, is a driver setup capable of delivering stellar 360-degree sound that can be customised via the Bang & Olufsen app. Its B&O stablemate the Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) has it beat for soundstage and general low-end satisfaction, but the Explore is cheaper, and arguably more attractive, too.
Read our Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore review for more details
Key specs – IP rating: IP67; Drivers: 2; Inputs: No; Outputs: No; Wireless: Bluetooth 5.2; Voice assistant: Supported (via microphone); Battery life: 27 hours; Dimensions (WHD): 81mm (diameter) x 124mm; Weight: 631g
