Upgrade Your Pool Party With The Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers

Battery life: Up to 12 hours | Weight: 2.34 pounds | Size: 7.5 x 4.7 x 4.1 inches | Waterproof rating: IPX4 | Audio type: 360-degree sound

Best for: Enjoying high-quality sound just about anywhere.

Pros:

• Portable
• Offers room-filling audio
• Simple controls

Cons:

• Can’t be submerged in water
• No true stereo sound

The Bose Portable Smart Speaker features a modern design that nicely fits into any room’s décor. Resembling a handheld lantern, this speaker fills the room with clear and rich 360-degree audio.

This speaker doesn’t produce stereo sound, but it does dramatically enhance mono audio in a way that’s impressively pleasing. Use the Bose app to adjust treble and bass or to manage what you’re listening to. Unlike most portable speakers, this one can connect directly to Wi-Fi and supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so you can use voice commands to choose what you listen to. It also supports Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and Spotify Connect. 

What our writers say: In his full review, audio expert Jason R. Rich says, “The speaker grille wraps around the entire speaker, which is logical since the speaker produces 360-degree audio. I found this design does an exceptionally good job at evenly distributing the audio in all directions while maintaining volume and clarity. The three passive radiators generate just the right amount of bass, which also resonates throughout the listening space.”

Battery life: Up to 24 hours | Weight: 0.8 pounds | Size: 6.5 x 2.2 1.8 inches | Waterproof rating: IPX7 | Audio type: Stereo

Best for: Listening to audio on the go while keeping the price under $50.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Lightweight and waterproof design
• Generates true stereo sound

Cons:

• Sound quality is what you’d expect from a $40 speaker
• Could be louder at its highest volume
• Only IPX7 waterproof rating

The Anker Soundcore 2 is relatively small and lightweight and features an IPX7 waterproof rating, so it can be used in a shower, bathtub or just about anywhere for up to 30 minutes. Battery life is an impressive 24 hours, and it can generate stereo sound.

That said, because it’s low-cost, low-end speaker, sound quality won’t rival its pricier competition. It does, however, generate decent bass and clear audio, especially when listening to dialogue as opposed to music. For the best audio possible when listening to music, consider pairing two of these speakers together wirelessly and control them from your phone.

Battery life: Up to 15 hours | Weight: 0.7 pounds | Size: 4 x 4 x 1.6 inches | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Audio type: Mono

Best for: Listening to audio in harsh climates or while on the go in style.

Pros:

• A great speaker for hiking, camping or outdoor use
• Music, audiobooks and podcasts sound great
• Extremely portable and durable

Cons:

• No stereo sound or 360-degree audio
• Joystick controls can feel tricky to learn

For such a small, light and stylish speaker, the Marshall Willen generates a robust sound. Because it’s waterproof, durable and comes with a rubber strap on its back, it can easily be attached to a backpack, belt loop or your camping equipment. Music sounds vibrant and rich, even though you don’t get true stereo or even 360-degree audio.

One unique feature of this speaker is its small, joystick-like button on the front that’s can control seven functions for a simple, intuitive interface. Plus, no matter how you position the speaker, it maintains consistent audio quality, clarity and volume. You can also use the Marshall Willen as a speakerphone for hands-free calls. 

What our writers say: Rich also reviewed this speaker. In his full review, he says, “I found the front-mounted joystick easy to use. This handles seven speaker functions, including volume, answering a call and skipping between audio tracks. The tricky part was memorizing which joystick movement corresponded to which function.”

Battery life: Up to 20 hours | Weight: 2.9 pounds | Size: 3.2 x 3.2 x 8.7 inches | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Audio type: 360-degree sound

Best for: Listening to music or audio in or around water.

Pros:

• Impressive 360-degree audio from a relatively small speaker
• Fully waterproof, not just water-resistant
• Up to 150-foot Bluetooth signal radius

Cons:

• Two or more Boom or Megaboom speakers needed for stereo sound

What’s great about the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 is that it’s very portable and fully waterproof, so you can use it in or near a pool, shower or beach. Enjoy up to 20 hours of continuous listening per battery charge. If you want to take the 360-degree audio to the next level and hear true stereo, simply pair the Megaboom 3 with between one and up to 149 other Ultimate Ears Boom or Megaboom speakers. Another thing that sets this speaker apart is that its Bluetooth signal radius is up to 150 feet, not the typical 33 feet.

The Megaboom 3 offers powerful sound with impressive bass—packed into a 2.9 pound speaker you can take virtually anywhere. The speaker can be positioned either horizontally or vertically. Choose between four speaker colors—blue, red, black or purple.

Battery life: Up to 14 hours | Weight: 0.9 pounds | Size: 3.6 inches high x 3.7 inch (diameter) | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Audio type: 360-degree sound

Best for: Listening to music in the shower or bathtub.

Pros:

• Compact design for ultimate portability
• Maximum sound level is 86dBC
• Waterproof, durable and easy to carry

Cons:

• Lack strong bass

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 has a compact ball shape and is so small it feels like a baseball in your hand. It’s lighter than most speakers but is just as durable and waterproof as its competition. Its waterproof design also means it can float in water, so you can enjoy your music at your next pool party without worry.

The Wonderboom 3 produces 360-degree audio and lasts an impressive 14 hours per charge. Another great feature? It has a range of over 130 feet, so if you leave your phone across the yard, it won’t lose the connection. Or, if you want ot take it with you, just use the handy loop and a carabiner to strap it to your bag or backpack. Use two of these speakers together to create genuine stereo sound. It also comes in four different colors.

Battery life: Up to 12 hours | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Size: 8.1 x 3 x 3 inches | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Audio type: 360-degree sound

Best for: Portable speaker with a compact build and good bass for a nice price.

Pros:

• Compact and light
• Shock and rustproof

Cons:

• Bass is only there when “ULT” button is pressed
• Cannot charge other electronics

This year, Sony launched a new line of speakers to go along with its ULT rebrand. Previously, Sony speakers have been known by a veritable alphabet soup of naming schemes with models like the Sony SRS-XE200, which doesn’t tell anyone anything. Now, those names are being replaced with the ULT brand which stands for simplicity, deep bass and powerful sound. The Sony ULT Field 1 comes with a much easier name and a great set of features for your next outdoor excursion. It’s compact and fits neatly into the water bottle holder on most bags. It’s designed to be used as a 360-degree speaker either standing up vertically or lying down horizontally, however you prefer. The speaker has good sound, though the bass is a bit lacking when the ULT mode is turned off. Turn it on, and the sound balances itself nicely.

The ULT Field 1 is also durable, shockproof, waterproof (IP67), and, according to Sony, rustproof. There is no standard for rustproofing, but Sony tested the speaker components in saltwater baths to simulate 5-year exposure to salt water, which would normally destroy consumer electronics. Sony’s goal was to make a speaker that could stand up to the beach by the ocean or sit in your kitchen with no issues. The ULT Field 1 is the result.

What our writers say: Our writer says, “The Sony Ult Field 1 is a solid waterproof speaker that neatly fits into the cup holder on any backpack. It has great 360-degree sound and 12-hour battery life—perfect for the beach or for your next picnic.”

Battery life: Up to 30 hours | Weight: 13.9 pounds | Size: 20.1 x 8.8 x 8.7 inches | Waterproof rating: IP67 | Audio type: 360-degree sound

Best for: Great speaker for your pool party with penetrating sound.

Pros:

• Deep bass with powerful sound
• Easy to carry despite size
• Fun dynamic lighting

Cons:

• Expensive 
• Not really meant for a single listener

Another speaker in Sony’s ULT arsenal is the ULT Field 7. Like the Ult Field 1, this is a portable, battery-powered speaker with an emphasis on powerful sound and deep bass. The speaker has two levels of ULT that you can use—the first level emphasizes the bass while the second level increases the sound pressure to better penetrate a group of people. This is a party speaker after all, and it has fun LED lighting built in to prove it. 

Additionally, the ULT Field 7 has a Karaoke feature that allows you to plug in a microphone or guitar with the ¼-inch jack and sing or play along to the music. You can plug the speaker into a wall outlet, or if you take the speaker with you, you can get up to 30 hours of battery life. Another perk? You can also plug in other electronics to charge them if you need to.

Like the ULT Field 1, you can use this speaker in vertical or horizontal orientation, and the ends are shockproof. The ends also serve as convenient carrying handles for taking this on the go. It’s heavy at 13.9 pounds and expensive, but if you need a good party speaker that can withstand the beach, the pool or an inconvenient rain shower, this is a great option.

What our writers say: Our writer says, “The Sony ULT Field 7 is a much bigger speaker than its Field 1 cousin. Like the ULT Field 1, this speaker can use used in vertical or horizontal orientation. It’s a bit heavy, but worth it for the 30 hours of battery life it can provide. Plus, the party lights can up your next party’s atmosphere quite a bit.”