Generally, electronics and water don't mix, especially if a product's IP rating isn't up to scratch, but waterproof speakers built different. If you're desperate to take your music outdoors, you need a speaker that's made to withstand the elements.
The best waterproof models are built to withstand being splashed or sometimes submerged in water for several minutes without malfunction, while some will happily float like ducks.
That said, it's not an experiment we'd recommend unless you're sure of your hardware's integrity, especially if you don't want to end up with a broken speaker and a pond full of dead fish.
If you need a great-sounding, hardy portable Bluetooth speaker that won't break down at the mere sight of water or dust, this is the list for you.
We've tested every speaker in this list, both in our test rooms and on the go, exposing them to the elements so that you can be confident your purchase will serve you well the next time you head out.
Find out more about our testing process here or keep scrolling to see our pick of the best waterproof speakers available.
Best waterproof speaker overall
1. JBL Charge 6
Superb JBL sound and a host of features in a handsome waterproof wrapper.
Battery life: 20 hours (28 with Playtime Boost) | Waterproof rating: IP68 | Power: 40W | Connections: USB-C for wired audio and charging | Dimensions (hwd): 9.8 x 22.9 x 9.8cm
Clear, detailed soundWide soundstageSuperbly made and very durableMore affordable JBL models are availableChunkier unit than the slimmer Flip 6
The JBL Charge 5 remains one of the most enduringly impressive Bluetooth speakers we've ever tested. After multiple What Hi-Fi? Award wins, JBL's bottle-shaped speaker is still available, but it's time to accept that it's been succeeded by a sixth-generation model in the shape of the JBL Charge 6.
Happily, the Charge 6 is ready to take up the mantle. If you want a speaker to battle the worst of the weather, it's now even more waterproof, dustproof and drop-proof than its predecessor, with an IP68 rating improving on the Charge 5’s IP67 certificate alongside beefier bumper guards at either end of the speaker
Within, the Charge 6 features a 20m tweeter and a newly developed woofer that strives for deeper and more powerful bass than the old model. Algorithm-led ‘AI Sound Boost’ analyses sound in real time to optimise its output and ensure that a more powerful and exciting but less distorted signature is produced no matter where you are.
It's paid off. To quote from our review: "The Charge 6 certainly sounds more powerful, but that muscle and authority are heard throughout the frequency range, not just in the lower end. The sound is clearer and more detailed than before, with vocals given extra solidity and textural depth; the highs soar with punch but clarity".
JBL made a concerted effort to make its latest generation of speakers as cutting-edge and feature-heavy as possible, packing its newer models with Auracast audio sharing and 24-bit/96kHz lossless audio via USB-C.
On top of those handy boons, the Charge 6 also offers 24 hours of juice plus four extra with Playtime Boost, as well as doubling up as a powerbank for your smartphone or portable device.
Waterproof and future-proof, the Charge 6 earns its five-star rating at a stroll.
Read our full JBL Charge 6 review
Best budget waterproof speaker
2. JBL Go 5
Very few speakers are capable of such an impressive performance-to-size ratio.
Battery life: Up to 8 hours (10 hours with Playtime Boost) | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Power : 4.8W | Connections: USB-C charging, Bluetooth 5.3 | Dimensions (hwd): 7.7 x 10.1 x 4.3cm
Engaging, surprisingly musical soundImpressive detail and clarity considering its sizeGreat feature-set for the priceAttractive, ultra-portable designLimited customisation for on-unit lightingNo supplied USB-C cable
This is the best Go yet.
In fact, it's genuinely remarkable to us how much performance JBL has managed to squeeze out of what is, essentially, a soap-sized Bluetooth speakers. It's handsome, well-equipped, durable and, for a speaker of its size and price, remarkably talented in the sound department.
The Go 5 looks broadly similar to the outgoing fourth-gen iteration, albeit with some notable adjustments. The speaker’s front-mounted ‘JBL’ lettering logo has been hollowed out, so there's less impediment to the sound from the driver reaching your ears, and JBL has added on-unit lighting to the party, which you can customise and switch on/off via the JBL Portable app.
The Go 5's IP68 rating means that dust and even submersion in water (for a limited time) will leave no lasting impression, and as we've written many times before about other JBL speakers, the general robustness of construction here is truly admirable.
The feature set is equally impressive. The Go 5's 'AirTouch' trick is a particular highlight: get two fifth-gen Go speakers together, tap them together end to end, and they’ll form a stereo pair without having to delve into the app.
Auracast Bluetooth is also on-hand, bringing the Go 5 in line with the current JBL Flip 7, Charge 6 and new Xtreme 5 models by letting you connect multiple compatible JBL speakers together under the same standard.
Battery life has also been bolstered just a little, with the Go 5 eking out roughly eight hours of standard playtime, with an additional two hours via Playtime Boost. Playtime Boost will suck most of the bass from the speaker's sound profile, however, so use it as a last resort if you're getting desperate and the battery is running dry.
Playtime Boost notwithstanding, the Go 5 sounds remarkably good considering its size and price. Thanks in part to its 45mm driver and that hollow-contour logo, the fifth-gen model is the meatiest, most robust sounding Go that we've yet heard, with a a fuller, more powerful reproduction than its predecessor.
The Go 5 doesn't try too hard and overstrain itself – instead, as our review stated, it is tuned "to have an innate understanding of how your music should sound. Nothing here is overdone or overly coloured, but it shares its bigger siblings’ ability to go with the flow as we bounce around tracks and genres".
Those talents are only augmented if you take advantage of support for 24-bit/96kHz lossless playback via USB-C, which makes your tunes sounds just a touch clearer, crisper and more detailed than when listening purely via Bluetooth.
If budgets are limited, the Go 5 is our go-to recommendation – its sound-per-pound performance ratio really is outstanding.
Read our full JBL Go 5 review
- Buying on a budget? Check out our list of the best Bluetooth speakers under $100
Best portable waterproof speaker
3. JBL Flip 7
The Flip 7 is a great-sounding, portable and waterproof speaker that excels in all areas.
Battery life: 14 hours (16 with Playtime Boost) | Waterproof rating: IP68 | Power: 35W | Connections: USB-C for charging | Dimensions (hwd): 6.9 x 18.3 x 7.1cm
Impressive sound for the sizeSurprisingly weighty bassPlenty of extra featuresUnwieldy at higher volumes Rivals offer bigger sound
The older Flip 7 boasted a still-impressive IP67 water and dustproof rating, but JBL has upped the ante by bestowing a mighty IP68 certificate upon this latest iteration of the Flip line.
Anyone who finds the size or price of the Charge 6 above a little too much should consider the five-star JBL Flip 7. Smaller, slimmer and less expensive than the very capable Charge, the Flip 7 still offers a great deal of what you'd want in a portable Bluetooth companion.
Ditching the built-in adjustable carry loop of its predecessor, the seventh-gen speaker offers a choice of either a fabric finger loop or a carabiner hook for clipping the speakers onto bags, branches or anything else that springs to mind.
Like the Charge 6, the Flip 7 is heavy on features. The seventh-gen Flip offers Auracast functionality, the clever sharing technology which lets you pair two Flip 7s together in stereo or hook up multiple units via the JBL Portable app.
The Flip will grant you 14 hours on a single charge plus an extra two with Playtime Boost. The Flip 7 also features wired listening for the first time, supporting up to 24-bit/96kHz lossless audio playback via USB-C, meaning that it should sound its absolute best when using a physical tie.
From an audio perspective, this has to be the best Flip we've heard. It's bassier than before, with a smoother, more refined profile than the more hard-edged Flip 6 can manage. Detail levels are better than ever, while the dynamic peaks and troughs of your music are revealed with greater scope and illumination.
Across the board, this is a big step up for the Flip. A true waterproof wonder.
Read our full JBL Flip 7 review
Best mid-price waterproof speaker
4. Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen)
Want a premium waterproof speaker? The IP67-rated Beosound is a stylish, high-end triumph
Battery life: 18 hours | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Power : 60W | Connections: USB-C (charge), Bluetooth 5.1 (with aptX Adaptive) | Dimensions (hwd): 4.6 x 13.3 x 13.3cm
Broad, expansive sound Weighty, full bassStunning build and finishAlexa voice controlFar from the cheapest speaker on this listAlmost too nice to get wet and dirty
There's a third-generation Beosound A1 out – the logically-named B&O Beosound A1 (3rd Gen) – but we're still recommending the older model thanks to its far lower price, Alexa capabilities and excellent performance.
The new boy is great, and you'll find it in our also consider section, but its lofty price tag (£299 / $349 / AU$639may be a sticking point for many would-be buyers.
There's nothing better than seeing style and substance come together, and that's exactly what you're getting with the rather wonderful Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen). It looks the part, it sounds the part, and by Jove, it's built to last, too.
Yes, most of B&O's range looks more at home in an art gallery than stuck on the side of Skegness Beach, meaning you'd be forgiven for thinking that a go-anywhere bit of Bang tech would be a little like having a portable version of Rodin's The Thinker stuffed in your backpack.
Happily, the Beosound A1 is tougher than its delicate looks would suggest, and the A1's IP67 rating should mean that it's happy being subjected to a 30-minute swim up to a metre deep.
Quoted battery life is also a solid 18 hours at normal listening volume, or up to 48 hours at a more conservative level, so running out of juice halfway through your camping trip shouldn't be too much of a concern.
The A1 supports Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive Bluetooth 5.1 codec as well as Alexa voice control, which is a bonus. Sound performance is authoritative and expansive with a weighty, pleasing bass presentation, and there's even a convenient strap for ease of transport.
It's expensive at full price, but if you have money to spend, the Beosound A1 is a rather remarkable all-rounder. Grab one for a decent discount (they often drop to around £152 during sales) and you'll have bagged a bargain.
Read our full Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) review
Best premium waterproof speaker
5. JBL Xtreme 5
Burly, rugged and sonically outstanding, the Xtreme 5 has all of the bases covered
Power: 90W (battery), 130 watts (AC power) | Bluetooth : 6.0 | Battery Life: 24 hours | Features: IP68 rating, Playtime Boost, AI Sound Boost, Smart EQ, Auracast | Connections: USB-C | App: Yes | Dimensions (hwd): 29.7 x 14.9 x 14.1cm | Weight : 2.9kg | Finishes: 3 (blue, black, squad)
Excellent clarity and sense of scalePunchy, expressive deliverySolid build qualityBulky design isn’t exactly subtleNew edge lighting won’t be for everyoneNo aptX support
The Xtreme 5 is chunkier and more durable than its predecessor, and while that adds a bit of weight, you're getting more speaker for you money. The built-in rubber stand is larger, while the rubberised ‘fins’ dotted around the edges of each end are more robust to offer greater protection. Plus, you now get on-speaker lighting!
Internally, there's been a significant overhaul to the driver configuration of the Xtreme 5. Where previous generations had used twin tweeters and dual woofers, the Xtreme 5 keeps the tweeters but drops the woofers in favour of a single ‘racetrack’ driver designed for better power handling and a greater mid/bass than before. We'll get to that in a second.
The Xtreme 5 supports Bluetooth 6 and Auracast, so you can pair two Xtreme 5s together to use in stereo, or connect multiple Auracast-ready speakers under the same banner.
As usual, the Xtreme can power your smartphone or tablet through the same socket. It also supports lossless audio up to 24-bit/48kHz through a wired connection, while battery clocks in at a very healthy 24 hours.
Get it up and firing, and you'll quickly realise that this is the most powerful Xtreme yet, with the fifth-gen model capable of filling almost any room, and most outdoor spaces, with impressive confidence.
There’s plenty of weight to the bass, which is important for a speaker of this type, but it doesn’t overpower the rest of the music. In fact, the Xtreme 5 finds a great sonic balance in this regard, aided by how much clearer and cleaner this iteration sounds than its predecessor.
Just when we were starting to wonder how JBL could improve its Xtreme, it drops another masterpiece. Imagine how good the Xtreme 6 will be. One of the best waterproof speakers you can buy.
Read our full JBL Xtreme 5 review
Also consider
JBL Flip 6: Still one of our favourite portable models around and a mainstay on our list of the best Bluetooth speakers overall, the Flip 6 is unmatched at its price for its musicality, authority and sense of fun. It's IP67 rated, supremely robust and ideal for granting super sound at a reasonable cost.
Sonos Play: A wireless, wi-fi-ready speaker that you can also take outside in the cold and rain? A strong IP67 rating will keep your Play from succumbing to the elements when you take it outside to listen via Bluetooth, while a raft of wireless streaming features are on-hand when you head back inside.
Bose SoundLink Max: The SoundLink Max is excellent. It's so good, in fact, that it could easily have made it onto the main list had it not been for the outstanding JBL Xtreme 4. Still, for giving you a rugged, ergonomic design that fires out tunes with genuine spark and dynamism, the burly Max is a five-star delight.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (3rd Gen): It's a lot of money to pay for a waterproof speaker, and possibly isn't the sort of thing you'd want to get damaged in the great wide world. Still, the IP67-rated B&O is classy, cool and crafted with genuine care, making it a product you want more than one you really need.
Beats Pill: Beats is finding its groove again. The Beats Pill offers up a clear, clean sound and some decidedly nice bass, not to mention a travel-friendly design and outstanding IP67 rating. A solid choice for long-term Beats fans.
Bose SoundLink Plus: The SoundLink Plus won't struggle with the elements thanks to its impressive IP67 water and dustproof certification. It's easy to recommend sound-wise, with a punchy, bold delivery that belies its reasonably small size.
Tribit Stormbox Micro 2: We've been admirers of the palm-sized Tribit for quite some time now. While it isn't the sexiest speaker in the world, its surprisingly full, involving sound and excellent durability has won many hearts, including our own.
Sonos Move 2: If you love Sonos and want something bigger than the Roam, try the Move 2. It's heftier than the Roam, but the Move 2 is made semi-portable thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity, built-in rear handle and solid build. That said, it's more the kind of speaker you'd take around the garden rather than much further afield.
Sony ULT Field 1: The ULT Field 1's flexibility and strong feature set make it an attractive option. The ULT boost button works well considering the size and general use case of the Field 1, while DSD sound diffusion, hands-free calling, stereo pairing and Android Fast Pair add to its credentials. It's IP67-rated too, meaning the Sony will handle most of what's thrown at it.
How to choose the best waterproof speaker for you
A good waterproof rating should be high on your checklist of things to consider when choosing a waterproof speaker. The most common rating used in consumer electronics is the IP (Ingress Protection) standard, with ratings written as "IP" followed by two numbers – the first represents dust resilience, the second represents water resistance.
Those models with a rating of IPX4, for instance, are only splashproof (the 'X' means the product wasn't tested for resilience against dust ingress.) But one of the most common specifications in newer models – in the speakers listed – is IP67, meaning that particular speaker is safe to immerse in water up to 1m deep for up to 30 minutes and it's dust-proof, too. For a full explanation of the IP ratings and what they mean, check out our IP ratings explainer.
While Bluetooth is pretty much a must for these portable designs, wi-fi connectivity is less important when it comes to a waterproof speaker. Still, it's a great addition if you'll be using your speaker at home too and want to integrate it with your smart home set-up (using Amazon Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant).
Decent battery life is also a key consideration – nothing spoils a long hike or away day like a flat battery. Whether you want a budget buy or can stretch to a much pricier and more capable model, there's bound to be something for you in our recommendations above.
How we test waterproof speakers
We review hundreds of products every year at What Hi-Fi?'s state-of-the-art testing facilities, including all kinds of Bluetooth speakers, and of course waterproof ones. We test all products that come through our doors as a team of experts with over a century of combined experience, ensuring no expert opinion ever goes unheard.
While we listen to all speakers in the test rooms, we also take waterproof speakers outside to test how durable they are against the rain, drizzle or even a dunk in the pool (or a sink or bath).
Every Bluetooth speaker is judged on a performance-per-pound basis, and we make sure to compare speakers with similarly-priced class leaders to help ensure we get a good sense of a speaker's performance and context in the market as well as help us settle on a final verdict score.
Outside of evaluating the audio performance of every waterproof speaker, we also test features like battery life, water resistance, Bluetooth connection strength, ease of use and set-up, among other things – including whether it's as rugged as it is claimed to be. It's important we get a full sense of both a product's practicality as well as its performance to gauge its overall value.
As a matter of course, there's no input from PR companies or sales teams when it comes to reviews, with What Hi-Fi? enjoying a sterling, decades-long reputation for delivering unbiased, honest feedback.
FAQ
How does a Bluetooth speaker work?
Bluetooth is a low-powered, short-range and low-bandwidth streaming protocol for connecting devices wirelessly. Bluetooth uses radio waves; like wi-fi but at a different scale.
A Bluetooth speaker uses this short-range Bluetooth to connect to a Bluetooth-supporting source and accept data from it. Both the speaker and source device need compatible Bluetooth codecs to send such information between them – SBC and AAC are the standard ones. A wireless speaker works similarly but relies instead on a wi-fi network connection to accept audio data transmitted from its audio source.
Pairing a Bluetooth speaker and Bluetooth device is simple: put the speaker in 'pairing mode' (usually by pressing or holding a button), go into a device's Bluetooth settings, 'scan' for available speakers and then select your device when it appears.
What are IP ratings and how do they work?
If you want a completely comprehensive rundown of what IP ratings are, how they work and why they're important, our "IP ratings explained" page is your go-to guide.
If you want the abridged version, the IPXX system is essentially a simple method of classifying audio products depending on how resistant they are to their environment, broken down into physical particles (dust, sand etc.) and liquid particles, i.e. water and other fluids. The term "IP" stands for “Ingress Protection”, so how well a product can prevent the ingress of particles into its hardware.
The IPXX rating system thus informs consumers as to how waterproof and/or dustproof a given product is, with the first number denoting resistance to physical particles and the second denoting liquids (an X means untested or unrated), with 0 being the lowest and 9 the highest.
So, for example, an IP67 rating means a dust-tight speaker that can withstand full immersion for 30 minutes in water up to a meter deep.
Recent updates
- June 2026: Replaced the JBL Xtreme 4 and Go 4 with their fifth-gen follow-ups. Added the Sonos Play to our also consider section.
- January 2026: No new entries, but we've ensured all of the information below is up-to-date.
- December 2025: We've made sure that this page is up-to-date for the start of 2026.
- October 2025: No new additions, just a copy refresh.
- August 2025: Added the Bose SoundLink Plus to our also consider section thanks to its positive review and IP67 certification.
- June 2025: We've added the B&O Beosound A1 (3rd Gen) to our also consider section.
- April 2025: We've added the JBL Flip 7 and Charge 6 to our list following a pair of five-star reviews.
- January 2025 : We've updated our copy and made sure it's fresh and up-to-date for the start of 2025. Also removed outdated products that are no longer on the market.
- December 2024: We've labelled our What Hi-Fi? 2024 Award winners and given our copy a fresh update.
- October 2024: Moved the JBL Flip 6 to our also consider section and replaced it with the JBL Go 4 as the best portable waterproof speaker.
- August 2024: We've replaced the outgoing JBL Xtreme 3 with the new Xtreme 4 as our pick for the best premium outdoor speaker. We've also added the Bose SoundLink Max to our 'also consider' section.
- June 2024: Added new models to our also consider section and replaced single pictures with multi-image galleries.
- March 2024: Added FAQs and an "Also Consider" section to offer more alternative buying options for readers.
- November 2023: What Hi-Fi? Award winners labelled after the 2023 Awards Best Buys and Product of the Year announcements.
MORE:
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IP ratings explained: how waterproof are your headphones?
