Ahoy sailors! Today we’re sailing the high seas in search of the best Bluetooth speaker for boats.
Nothing beats a boating adventure, and what completes your sailing sessions is more than some relaxing music. Perhaps you’re looking for a new waterproof speaker to get the boat party going!
Either way, this list is a roundup of our favorite Bluetooth speakers for boats. For the best Bluetooth speaker in general, check our other post!
We’ve taken extra consideration over boat-related specs, like waterproofing, durability, battery life, and connectivity.
A Key spec for portable boat speakers is the IP rating, this determines how waterproof a device is (see the end of this article for a full explanation).
The higher the number, the more water resistance a device has. In an ideal world, a speaker for boating should have an IP rating with the second number as either 7 or 8. This means the waterproof speaker can survive being fully submerged, which could easily happen if the speaker falls into the water.
I tested 7 waterproof speakers and found the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 to be the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker for taking on a boat.
This portable speaker really has everything you can ask for in a boating speaker.
Fully waterproof, has a long Bluetooth connection range, and superior sound quality. The battery life on this Bluetooth speaker lets you party all day long.
The built-in mic control is a nice touch that lets you use Siri or OK Google without having to touch your phone. This is great if your hands are wet or fishy!
I love Bluetooth portable speakers. In fact, I usually have one packed in my rucksack wherever I go. Whether you’re going to the park, a beach, or the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, a powerful, durable portable Bluetooth speaker is essential! I’ve gone through many in my time, sometimes buying models that don’t live up to their description.
These speakers have been tested for their durability and waterproofing abilities so you don’t have to!
The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 speaker has excellent waterproofing. This makes it ideal for boating, you can splash around close to this speaker with no worry of damage. Heck, you can even chuck it overboard and it will be fine, floating to the surface of the water unscathed.
Not all these waterproof speakers will be ideal for your needs. Some may be too big or small. Speaker size is an important factor. There is generally a trade-off between size and quality, with smaller wireless speakers often suffering from a diminished volume, connection range, or sound quality.
Although these are obviously more portable, taking up less weight and room in the cargo hold.
I think the best tactic is to choose the biggest speaker you can manage. Get the best sound you can, but don’t take up too much room! If the Megaboom 3 is too big, check out Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2!
Keep reading for our full roundup of the best portable Bluetooth speakers for boats!
Don’t fancy sailing today? Look at our best speaker for bike post!
Best waterproof Bluetooth speaker for boats in our tests
- Bose Soundlink Micro
- Ultimate Ears – MEGABOOM 3
- JBL Flip 5
- Fugoo Sport 2
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Anker Soundcore 2
- LEZII IPX8 10W speaker
7 Best Bluetooth speakers for boats reviewed in Details
1. Bose Soundlink Micro
Info:
Bose Soundlink Micro is a range of brilliant, pocket-sized wireless Bluetooth boat speakers.
These mini beasts are ideal for music lovers on the go.
Waterproof inside and out, the IPX7 rating ensures the Soundlink Micro Portable Speaker can be fully submerged in water shallower than 1 meter, and for less than 30 minutes.
This Bose speaker is a great choice for boats and when you’re out and about. It has a decent loud sound and can be quickly backed in a bag or pocket. It adds hardly any weight to your cargo! Good things come in small packages, and the quality and volume of this speaker rival those with much larger designs.
The clear, balanced sound is powered by a 6-hour battery. These portable boats charge super quickly too. It comes with a hook and strap system to safely attach to a bike, surfboard, or backpack. The sound quality lives up to the high expectations of the Bose brand.
This waterproof portable speaker comes with a built-in mic for hands-free control of your wireless assistants. Now you can sip your cocktails and take calls without ever having to leave your deck chair!
With around a 30 feet connection range you won’t want to take this bose speaker too far from your phone. But, it’s long enough to leave your phone on the boat and take in the sea.
Users can link multiple Bose speakers together with Bose SimpleSync or Bose SoundLink systems. This is a Bose Smart home family compatible speaker.
It may seem pricey for the size, but the sound quality and features of this speaker make it worth every penny.
Pros and Cons:
- Small and portable, fits in your pocket.
- Waterproof can be submerged.
- Built-in mic for smart assistant control.
- Fantastic, Bose sound quality.
2. Ultimate Ears - MEGABOOM 3
Info:
Megaboom 3 from Ultimate Ears is a brilliant waterproof Bluetooth speaker ready for your next boating holiday.
The impressive 20 hours battery life will last for a few parties before needing a charge. It also features a Bluetooth connection range of up to 150ft, which is very impressive and probably further than you’ll need.
With a deep bass sound, and 360° projection, the Megaboom 3 has a high sound quality and provides an immersive and detailed listening experience. This Bluetooth speaker packs a punch, with a max Sound Pressure Level of 90dBA.
Its IP67 water resistance rating means it can be fully submerged for up to 30 minutes, and it floats. This speaker is also resistant to sand, dirt, and dust, making it a perfect companion for the beach.
Super durable, the Megaboom is rugged and survivable. Built for adventures, its metal and rubber casing will protect it from thousands of drops and bumps.
One sweet feature of the Megaboom 3 is the PartyUp feature in the Ultimate Ears app, which lets you connect over 100 speakers together! That’s insane, not many let you connect to more than one speaker.
The ‘Magic Button’ single touch control makes it easy to play, pause, change the track of volume all from one button.
These are excellent, durable speakers for beach, pool, or boat parties! The long-range, and punchy sound make this a fantastic waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker for boating and water sports!
Pros and Cons:
- Drop-proof and waterproof.
- Magic button for one-stop controls.
- Link with over 100 other Ultimate Ears speakers.
- Long Connection range.
- No microphone control.
3. JBL Flip 5
Info:
The Flip 5 by JBL is a waterproof wireless Bluetooth speaker with an IPX7 rating, making it ideal for boat adventures and water sports. This outstanding speaker is waterproof up to 3 feet deep, so no need to worry about it falling in the pool or ocean, it will be fine. The rubber and metal housing feel incredibly strong, removing any fears of breaking if it falls off a table or is dropped.
With 12 hours battery life, this speaker makes an excellent poolside companion all day long.
Featuring the renowned, JBL excellent sound quality, the drivers in this speaker are incredibly loud and clear, with rich bass. They have a full range, balanced sound, with no loss in clarity or quality. In terms of sound quality, these are some of the best waterproof speakers and are much louder than other portable speakers.
This is one of the loudest waterproof Bluetooth speakers on this list by far, with 44mm drivers and 20-watt power output.
These JBL PartyBoost compatible speakers can be connected with other speakers using the JBL Connect App.
The Flip 5 is great for playing on boats, the volume is great but it might be drowned out by loud water and engine noise if you’re traveling at speed. It’s definitely loud enough when the engine is off though.
This waterproof wireless Bluetooth speaker comes in a staggering 11 different colors, including red, pink, blue, yellow, or camouflage. The bright colors are vivid and eye-catching, which improves the visibility of this speaker, making it easy to find, and making sure nobody steps on it at the beach.
Pros and Cons:
- Superior JBL Sound
- Very loud for Size
- IPX7 Waterproof can be submerged.
- Multi-Link with JBL PartyBoost App
- Not rated for sand or mud protection.
- No Built-in microphone
4. Fugoo Sport 2
Info:
Boasting 100% water, sand, and mud IP67 protection, the Fugoo Sport 2 is a fantastic portable Bluetooth speaker, ideal for outdoor adventures, boats, and beaches.
The Sport 2 has upgraded volume, using two 40mm drivers and 100x28mm passive radiators, producing a maximum SPL level of 105db. This speaker has a hefty low end, with clear, detailed highs and mids. This is one of the loudest speakers for its size. The angling of its speakers gives it a clean projection, without any unintentional filtering.
The IP67 rating means this will survive a dip in the water, even withstanding full submersion at 1 meter for 30 minutes.
With 10-hour battery life, this wireless speaker will be active for most of the day. Moreover, this speaker can be connected up with any other Fugoo speakers to create a louder array system.
You can also control this speaker wirelessly. The omnidirectional microphone allows seamless voice control of smart assistants like Siri and Google Now. You can also answer phone calls from the speaker, although who wants to do that on holiday?
Paired with an additional remote control, this speaker is easy to use when you are wet or have your hands dirty.
These speakers provide a high-quality sound and waterproof, sturdy durability. These are some of the best portable speakers for boats and pool parties.
Pros and Cons:
- Flexible, strong mounting systems, this wireless speaker can be secured to anything.
- Comes with an additional remote control for making changes at a distance.
- 100% waterproof, survives 30minutes at 1-meter submersion.
5. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
Info:
With a surprisingly large sound, the Wonderboom 2 from Ultimate Ears is a fantastic little waterproof Bluetooth speaker.
These wireless boat speakers are ideal for your next boating holiday. The sound quality of the speaker is deceptively powerful. It projects sound out at 360 degrees, with clear and defined lows, mids, and highs.
This speaker is designed to go on outdoor adventures. It has an IP67 rating, giving it protection from water and sand. This will be able to survive weeks of use on the beach. It floats too, so there’s no worry that it will sink to the bottom of the deep blue sea!
Another cool feature is the outdoor volume boost function. This button gives the speaker an extra volume kick to help you hear it at a noisy beach or windy forest.
Its battery proved 13 hours of quality sound, so you’ll probably need to go to bed before the speaker does!
It can be connected to more Wonderboom 2 speakers for a louder experience, and the built-in controls for play, pause, skip and volume are very convenient. With a 100ft wireless Bluetooth range, you can take this speaker a long way from its phone.
Drop-proof and durable, this speaker is available in blue, grey, or black.
I recommend this for aquatic adventurers looking for a premium, loud, fantastic-sounding speaker.
Pros and Cons:
- It floats!
- Surround sound 360 degrees of projection, insane volume!
- IP67 rating for water and sand protection, ideal for beaches and boats.
- Outdoor volume boost function to compete with outside noises.
6. Anker Soundcore 2
Info:
With a 12W speaker, this bass-heavy waterproof Bluetooth speaker from Anker could be your next boating buddy.
With an IPX7 waterproof protection rating, this speaker can be dropped fully into the water and will survive for over 30 minutes above 1m deep.
The patented spiral bass port enhances the low-end frequencies to provide thudding kick drums and basslines. The bass is further exaggerated by the Anker BassUp technology, providing a deeper bass with a balanced dynamic range. This speaker contains 2 internal speakers, so it creates a full stereo sound.
With 24 hours of battery life, the Anker Soundcore 2 will provide a day full of music to soundtrack your boating journeys. It lasts for around 500 songs before needing to recharge.
The built-in volume, play, and pause controls can all be operated whilst underwater, so you don’t need to get out of the sea to turn the music up.
The Soundcore 2 also has a speaker linking feature for making a multi-rigger, although this only works with other Soundcore speakers. It does feature a built-in mic and an aux cable input for non-Bluetooth devices. The mic can also be used for phone calls which is a nice bonus.
This second-generation Soundcore speaker also features a lighter, sturdier build design, making an effortless speaker, ready to grab and go. This is one of the best wireless speakers for boaters on a budget.
Pros and Cons:
- 24-hour battery, keeps the party alive all day.
- Works underwater, can be fully submerged
- Heavy bass and sub frequencies.
- 66ft connection range
- No hook or carrying system
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Info:
This is an incredibly well-waterproofed little speaker, clocking in with the maximum IP water rating.
It’s very small and portable, but still has a great sound with decent bass.
This astonishingly tiny speaker is only 10w, so it won’t have a massive volume, but if you want some music close while you’re in the water, or you want the radio on whilst you’re fishing, this pocket-sized speaker is perfect. It has a 33ft connection range, so you can leave your phone on the deck while you take this speaker in the water.
The metal-plated lightweight speaker will withstand any drops or bumps, it’s a great portable waterproof speaker for putting in your bag and busting out at any moment. It has a useful hook for attaching to boats, clothing, or bikes.
This is an incredible speaker for any water activities, its IPX8 rating means it can be submerged below 1m for over 30minutes. It also boasts 6-8 hours of playing time, charges fully in a few hours, and includes an FM radio.
It has a built-in mic so it can accept external calls, or work with smart assistants. It can even play music from an external memory card, so it can be loaded with songs and used without a phone.
These LEZII speakers can be connected together via Bluetooth for a surround sound experience. These speakers are super affordable so why not pick up a bunch of them and make a mega rig of waterproof speakers.
This is the best portable speaker on this list in terms of affordability. It also has one of the highest IP ratings. Overall this is a great choice for anyone looking for an inexpensive, durable, and fully waterproof Bluetooth speaker.
Pros and Cons:
- Tiny Size
- Full IPX8 Waterproof rating can handle full submersions,
- Link to other speakers.
- Unimpressive sound quality.
What to Look for in a waterproof Bluetooth speaker?
What to look for when buying this type of product
Battery Life: It’s always a good idea to choose a compact speaker with long-lasting battery life. A bigger rechargeable battery means you’ll be able to listen to music for longer before needing a charge. Although the longer lifetimes often come at the cost of a larger battery and heavier speaker.
Buying an additional portable power bank is a great way to extend the life of your portable Bluetooth speaker. This Miady power bank is a great affordable option.
Frequency Response: This describes the range of sound a speaker can produce, from bass to highs. The human hearing range is between 20hz-20kHz. Cheap speakers tend to have ranges around 300hz-10khz. Quality speakers should go at least as low as 40hz, and as high as 15kHz for the most realistic experience. The lower the low number, the more bass, and subs the speaker can produce.
The IP Rating:
This determines how much resistance the device provides to water or solid interference. Higher numbers result in higher resistance. See below for a full explanation of IP ratings.
Connections: The Bluetooth systems of all of these speakers should be compatible with just about any device, including most Bluetooth-compatible modern smartphones.
Although it’s always worth checking that the speaker’s connection system is compatible with whatever device will be used for playback. Some Bluetooth waterproof speakers can connect to multiple speakers to create a surround or stereo mode.
FAQ
What Do IP Ratings Mean for Bluetooth speakers?
This measurement determines how strong the device’s ability to resist solid or water damage is. Understanding this rating is the clearest indicator of how waterproof a device will be.
An IP rating provides two numbers, each one is from 0-8.
The initial number describes how strong the device resists solids, the second number explains how water repellent it is. An X is used instead of a number if there is no clear data on its resistance to either. A higher number shows increased resistance over lower numbers.
For example, a speaker with IPX8 has no resistance to solids (such as dust), but full water resistance. Each number has its own qualifying tests. Below is an explanation of each IP water resistance number. The ideal one for boats is 8!
-IPX0: No water resistance.
-IPX1: Protection from small, vertical water droplets.
-IPX2: Protected from dripping water at a 15-degree angle.
-IPX3: Protected from mist and fine water sprays, up to 60°.
-IPX4: The device is protected from splashing.
-IPX5: The device is protected from low-pressure water jets coming from any direction.
-IPX6: Protected against strong water jets, perfect for ships and boating.
-IPX7: Completely waterproof when submerged up to 1 meter deep in water, during a 30-minute test.
-IPX8: Can withstand long periods fully submerged, deeper than 1m.
Conclusion
Overall I found the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers for boats to be the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
These nifty wireless Bluetooth speakers have all the features and specs you need for a boat speaker.
With incredible sound quality, 20 hours battery life, and an IP67 resistance rating, this portable wireless Bluetooth speaker is the ideal choice for boats, beaches, and outdoor adventures. This Bluetooth waterproof speaker has an incredible battery life for its sound and size, rivaling many waterproof portable speakers.
You can feel safe taking this to the beach, knowing that the sand won’t damage it and that you can even throw it in the water without any issue. It will float to the surface and continue blasting out heavy bass with its balanced audio range. Ultimate Ears speakers can be connected together, with other 100 speakers being powered by the same phone!
This excellent portable speaker is a great choice for any adventurer. If the size is too large, then the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 is a smaller version with equally great quality.
Check out the Megaboom 3 speaker today!
Noah is an accomplished audio engineer with several years of experience producing music for major companies and independent artists. He enjoys sharing his vast knowledge of audio engineering topics to help musicians and music producers create great music.