Since music makes everything better, a day out on the boat will become much better if you’re listening to your favorite playlist. While most of us want to bring their speakers with them on the boat, we’re always worried that water might reach and destroy them.
Luckily, the manufacturers of many top-notch brands have heard our cries and made excellent waterproof speakers. This means that you can enjoy a fun party on your boat with your friends without worrying about damaging your device.
Also, most of the speakers on our list are entirely waterproof, allowing you to take them with you while you’re swimming, as they can stay in the water for about 30 minutes.
Since most of the Bluetooth speakers on the market are of high quality, and choosing one is challenging, I’ve decided to make you a list of the best ones. You’ll also find a comprehensive buying guide, explaining how to choose the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers for boats.
Contents
Comparison Table:
| Bluetooth Speaker | Price | Waterproof Rating | Power | Battery Life |
| FUGOO Tough XL | CLICK FOR PRICE | IP67 | 38 watts | 35 hours |
| Sony XB40 | CLICK FOR PRICE | IPX5 |
40 watts | 24 hours |
| Bose SoundLink Micro | CLICK FOR PRICE | IPX7 | 7.5 watts | 6 hours |
| Bose SoundLink Revolve | CLICK FOR PRICE | IPX4 | 17 watts | 16 hours |
| JBL Pulse 3 | CLICK FOR PRICE | IPX7 | 20 watts | 12 hours |
| JBL FLIP 5 | CLICK FOR PRICE | IPX7 | 20 watts | 12 hours |
| JBL CLIP 3 | CLICK FOR PRICE | IPX7 | 3.3 watts | 10 hours |
The 7 Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers For Boats in 2021
1.FUGOO Tough XL – Longest Battery Life
FUGOO Tough XL offers the most extended battery life compared to the other Bluetooth speakers on our list since it can play songs for 35 hours on a single charge. This means that you can enjoy uninterrupted music on the water for more than a day.
Yet, what if you need it for longer than 35 hours? This is not a problem at all since it comes with a portable power bank. Further, you can use the USB port to charge any device you own.
What’s more, it offers 360-degree sound with its 8 symmetrically placed drivers. This way, it produces clear and crisp highs, lows, and perfect mid-range. You’ll also enjoy its rich sounds, thanks to its four tweeters, two passive radiators, two mid/sub drivers, and 97dB sound pressure.
With its IP67 rating, you can submerge it in the water for 30 minutes, and it won’t suffer any damage. It also floats on the water, so you can take it with you while swimming.
Sailing a boat can be demanding, and you won’t always be free to manage your playlist, change the music, and so. For this reason, I highly appreciate the Apple Siri and Android Google voice command control. Plus, there is a built-in full-duplex speakerphone so you can enjoy hands-free chatting.
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Comes with a power bank
- Features Apple and Android voice control
- Can float on water
- IP67 rating
Cons:
- Expensive
Bottom Line
FUGOO Tough XL is one of the amazing waterproof Bluetooth speakers for boats, thanks to its long battery life and high sound quality.
2. Sony XB40 – Best For Parties
If you love having parties on your boat, Sony XB40 is the one to buy, as it is known for its killer bass. It has an enhanced and improved low-end response, thanks to its dual passive radiators and two full-range speakers.
All you have to do to get that party atmosphere is press on the “extra bass” button. Plus, its multicolored line, speaker lights, and flashing strobe bring about some needed party vibes.
In case you don’t want to connect to it via Bluetooth for any reason, you can connect via LDAC or NFC instead. Moreover, the Wireless Party Chain feature allows you to connect and add speakers to achieve the stereo sound.
You can use Sony XB40 for 24 hours, which is quite a lot. Besides, the voice feedback feature tells you how much juice is left in the battery and tells you when it’s time to recharge.
The major drawback is its IPX5. While it is water-resistant, the device is not entirely waterproof. Also, it is heavy, weighing 4.18 pounds.
Pros:
- Nice sound quality
- Killer bass
- Excellent for parties
- Can be connected with different stereos
- Compatible with NFC, LDAC, and Bluetooth
- Tells you how much battery is left
Cons:
- Not completely waterproof
- Heavy
Bottom Line
Sony XB40 is an excellent water-resistant Bluetooth speaker for boats with an IPX5 rating. It is specially made for people who love partying on boats thanks to its striking bass and ability to connect with another stereo, creating a lovely music setup.
3. Bose SoundLink Micro – Best Portable Speaker
Bose SoundLink Micro is only 0.64 pounds, so it is easy to carry around wherever you go. Plus, it comes with a tear-resistant strap, allowing you to easily strap it to your bag, clothes, or anything.
Even though it is so small, it still produces loud music that you can easily hear on a boat. Besides, you’ll enjoy crisp and clear sound with unmatched bass.
It has an IPX7 rating, so it is waterproof, and you can soak it in water without worrying about it getting damaged. Besides, it is pretty durable as it is crack and scratch-resistant.
Moreover, Bose SoundLink Micro has an in-built speakerphone that allows you to take or make phone calls. It also enables you to use Siri and Google Now without using your hands at all since you’ll most probably be busy handling the boat.
Like Sony XB40, you can use this speaker for parties as it can be paired with two speakers using Bose SimpleSync. It also pairs with Bose Smart Home Family so that you can play your music in sync. Note that the wireless Bluetooth range is 30 feet, which is the average range among the devices on this list.
The only reason why Sony XB40 is better for parties is that it lasts for 24 hours, while Bose SoundLink Micro lasts for 6 hours (a bummer.)
Pros:
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Allows you to make phone calls
Cons:
- Lasts for 6 hours only
Bottom Line
Bose SoundLink Micro is a high-quality Bluetooth speaker thanks to its clear sound and durable construction. Plus, its portability and affordability are hard to resist.
4. Bose SoundLink Revolve – Best Water-resistant Bose Speaker
Bose SoundLink Revolve has an IPX4 rating, which means that it is water-resistant and not waterproof. In other words, it can take water splashes without getting damaged, but if it fell in the water, it wouldn’t survive
Other than that, Bose SoundLink Revolve is truly magnificent as it has 17 watts of power output. It delivers deep and loud sound with 360-degree coverage, making you feel like you’re at a concert.
Moreover, its battery lasts for 16 hours, which is quite average compared to its contenders on this list. And like most of the other devices reviewed here, its Bluetooth range extends to up to 30 feet.
I love that this speaker responds to voice commands because this means that you can answer phone calls while doing anything else on the boat. You can also use Siri and Google Now without needing your hand at all.
It will also work wonders if you want to enjoy a few hours of partying because you can pair two speakers together. Not just that, you can also match your speaker with another one from Bose Smart Home Family using SimpleSync technology.
Did you forget your phone at home? No problem. You can link this speaker with any tripod, thanks to the universal thread.
Pros:
- Can be paired with other Bose speakers
- Responds to voice commands
- Has 360-degree sound coverage
Cons:
- Has IPX4 rating
- Expensive
- Relatively heavy
Bottom Line
I love Bose SoundLink Revolve for its battery life, 360-degree coverage, and the fact that it’s also suitable for parties. But if you want a completely waterproof speaker, this is not the one.
5.JBL Pulse 3 – Best 360-Degree Speaker
JBL Pulse 3 features a 360-degree sound and light; what does this mean? It means that you will hear the sounds all around you as if you’re at a live concert. Also, it emits light and gives you a pleasant and funky vibe on the boat. We can say that it looks like a lava light lamp.
The sound quality is quite good. For example, it produces clear highs, mids, and lows. Like all the previous models, its Bluetooth range extends about 30 feet, which is quite acceptable. It is also lightweight as it only weighs 1.1 pounds.
This device comes with an IPX7 rating, so you can safely take it on the boat or even on the water. Also, its battery lasts for 12 hours so that you can enjoy music for a long time.
What if you want to party? Is it loud enough for this purpose? Well, you can easily connect it to more than 100 JBL Connect+ enabled devices via the JBL Connect+ technology. You can also customize the light sequence using the JBL Connect app.
Do you want to take and make phone calls? You can do this with one touch of a button. Also, I guarantee that the calls will be crystal clear, thanks to the noise and echo-canceling speakerphone.
Pros:
- Has IPX7 rating
- Produces clear sounds
- Beautiful design
- Allows you to make phone calls
- Connects to several JBL devices
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Short battery life
Bottom Line
JBL Pulse 3 is excellent for people who don’t mind having a short battery life and want to have a nice light show. It is also the one to buy if your friends have a JBL speaker with Connect+ so that you can build a nice set up for your party.
6. JBL FLIP 5 – Various Color Options
JBL FLIP 5 comes in various colors: black, black camo, blue, camo, green, red, sand, teal, white and yellow, so you can choose the one that suits your taste.
Plus, it’s only 1.6 pounds, so you can slip it in a bag or carry it in your hand. You can also hang it on a door, thanks to its shoelace strap. Even though it is so durable, I advise you not to throw it in a bag with sharp objects.
If you want to enjoy a romantic boat trip while it’s raining, you can do that (if it’s not dangerous!) with JBL FLIP 5 because it has an IPX7 rating. This rating means that it won’t suffer any damage even if you soak it in water for 30 minutes.
The battery life of JBL FLIP 5 lasts for around 12 hours. And what I truly love about it is that it fully charges in 2.5 hours only. Also, if you pair two JBL PartyBoost-compatible speakers together, you will get a beautiful stereo sound, which means that you can use it for parties.
Besides, its 20-watt power output improves its sound quality and prevents you from needing to raise the volume up. You can stand a few feet away from it, and you’ll still hear the music very clearly. Even if you raise the volume, the sound won’t be distorted at all.
Sadly, there isn’t a built-in microphone, so you won’t be able to make hands-free phone calls. You also won’t be able to activate Siri and Google Assistant activation without using your hands.
You can also only connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth because it isn’t equipped with an AUX socket.
Pros:
- USB-C Quick Charge
- Durable
- Nice for partying
- High-quality sound
- Portable
- Fashionable
Cons:
- No mic
- No hands-free control
Bottom Line
JBL FLIP 5 is for people who want high-quality speakers without sacrificing design and fashionability.
7.JBL CLIP 3 – Budget Pick
At a very affordable price, you can get excellent sound quality by buying JBL CLIP 3. It produces excellent mids, and the vocals are clear and loud.
This speaker is great for podcasts and acoustic songs. However, it doesn’t produce high-quality heavy bass music, so steer away from JBL CLIP 3 if that’s what you want to listen to.
It’s also very lightweight, coming at 0.49 pounds, so you can easily carry it around and enjoy the music wherever you go. It even comes with a fully integrated carabiner clip to help you attach it to your bag or clothes.
Like most of the speakers on our list, this one has an IPX7 rating, so it is totally waterproof. It can even stay in the water for 30 minutes.
Do you want to make phone calls? You can do this with JBL CLIP 3 as it features a built-in noise and echo-canceling speakerphone, allowing you to have crystal clear phone calls. Plus, the wireless Bluetooth streaming will enable you to play songs from your smartphone or tablet.
Sadly, its rechargeable battery lasts for 10 hours only, which is inferior to plenty of options on the list.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Completely waterproof
- Crystal-clear phone calls
- Can be attached to your clothes
Cons:
- The battery lasts for 10 hours only
Bottom Line
JBL CLIP 3 is one of the best Bluetooth speakers you can have on your boat. Its lightness, along with its decent sound quality and very affordable price make it a steal.
How to Choose Perfect Bluetooth Speakers for Your Boat
Power
The higher the power of your speaker, the better you can hear it. 100W of power is quite okay, but if the waves slap the boat, you need a speaker with 300 to 400W in order to hear the music clearly.
Durability
When searching for speakers to mount on your boat, you must pay attention to their durability because they will rock with your boat. I recommend you get one with at least a two-year warranty. Also, the IPX waterproof rating plays a huge role in this area.
Waterproof Ratings
The manufacturer gives the waterproof rating, and it indicates whether the device is waterproof or not. It also provides an accurate indication regarding the extent of how waterproof it is.
The IP rating consists of two numbers from 0 to 8, where the first number indicates how well the device deals with solids like dust particles, and the other one indicates how well it repels water. If you find an X in place of either number, know that the device has no rating for this criteria.
For example, an IPX0 means that the device is not waterproof, and an IPX8 means that the device can be submerged for about an hour at depths greater than one meter.
Usually, an IPX4 or higher is great for boats, given that the device won’t be totally submerged in water. IPX6 is suitable for use on ship decks because it can resist strong jets of water.
Range
You will usually need a speaker with a range equal to the size of your boat. In case you cruise on your friend’s boat and want to be still able to control the music on your boat, get a speaker with 30 feet of range.
Radio Capabilities
Nowadays, we usually have a playlist ready with all the songs we love. Having radio capabilities is a plus because you can use it to check the weather and other important news.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, choosing the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker for your boat doesn’t seem so challenging now. In case you’re still confused, allow me to highlight some of the options.
If you need long battery life, there are no better speakers than FUGOO Tough XL with its 35-hour battery. Plus, its 360-degree sound is brilliant, and its IP67 means that you can submerge it in water for 30 minutes.
If partying is all you want, Sony XB40 is the one, thanks to its killer bass. You can press on “extra bass” and enjoy even better sounds. Besides, it can connect via Bluetooth, LDAC, and NFC. In case you want one that can be submerged in water, don’t get this as it is only IPX5.
If money is an issue, JBL CLIP 3 won’t disappoint you. It is pretty lightweight and can easily be attached to anything like your bag or clothes. Even at such an affordable price, it has an IPX7 rating so that you can soak it in water for around 30 minutes.