When it comes to enjoying your favorite tunes at the beach, the mixing of water and traditional electronics can result in dangerous or disappointing circumstances.
That is why it is extremely important to only bring the best sound gear on your waterfront excursions. This means a speaker that can hold up against the wind and the waves, while still packing a powerful punch to pleasure your ears.
In this review, we will take a look at three of the top speakers available to purchase that can help you bring the party to your next beachside adventure. We will walk you through each one’s benefits, as well as a few drawbacks, so that you can make the best decision for your beach speaker purchase.
But before we get to the reviews I should mention a few important concepts you should be keeping in mind for beach speakers.
First Decide On Waterproofing
The major decision point you need to make is how much waterproofing you’re going to need. It basically comes down to one decision: do you want to pay more for a speaker you can bring in the water?
Keep in mind, it’s difficult to find a speaker that can be fully submerged for over 30 minutes without it dying. However, if the speaker has a waterproof rating of IPX7 (the X can be replaced by a number – essentially the dust proof rating, more on this below) then the speaker is capable of withstanding water immersion between 15 cm and 1 meter for 30 minutes.
You won’t find a decent speaker with an IPX rating of 8. It’s just too difficult and impractical to do (why would you want a speaker you can hold under water for longer than 30 minutes?)
The price difference between each stage of waterproofing can turn the average consumer off. But if you’re looking for the best waterproof speaker I’d recommend one of my favorite overall speakers from JBL. The sound is fantastic and it’s incredibly durable.
Dust Proofing Matters
One often overlooked aspect of a speaker is the dust proofing. This is measured on a similar scale as waterproofing and often can be found on the same label.
For example, a speaker with complete dust protect will have an IP rating of IP6X (where the X is the waterproofing.) See the chart below for a complete explanation.
I’d almost go as far as saying the dust proofing is more important than the water proofing. As long as you don’t need to float with your speaker on the water chances are your speaker will remain dry.
It’s a completely different story when it comes to dust.
Fine dust particles are easily transported through wind. Try to remember the last time you were at a beach and it was completely calm.
While the dust particles aren’t as troublesome to the electronics as water they can still do a lot of damage over time. If you’re a regular beach goer who wants a speaker to last more than one season I highly recommend you buy a speaker with an dust rating of 6.
Secondary Considerations
I find the general public is becoming more savoy with the specs on Bluetooth speakers. They’ve been around for a few years and people are getting a sense of their capabilities.
Still, companies are continually pushing the boundaries on battery life and sound quality so it’s good to review what makes a “decent” Bluetooth speaker.
Personally, I wouldn’t purchase a speaker that didn’t have at least 10 hours of use at 50% volume. This is the absolute minimum. These days, some speakers are pushing the 25-30 hours of playback at 50% volume.
The next thing I’d be looking for is passive radiators. Just know, these are usually found on speakers in the $100 and up price range. The reason I like passive radiators is they provide a much more full bass experience. I was shocked when I heard how much bass a small Bluetooth speaker can produce with passive radiators.
I find this is the biggest determinant of a quality soundscape with Bluetooth speakers. It’s easy to cover the high end of the frequency spectrum in small packages, but the low end is an entirely different story.
So remember, if you’re able to afford it, 10+ battery life and passive radiators are great rules of thumb for any quality Bluetooth speaker. If you’re interested in other outdoor speakers check out my article here.
My Top Picks For Beach Speakers
1. Zosam Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- Zosam MONEY BACK GUARANTEE - Within 30 days of purchase, we offer a no-questions-asked full money back guarantee. Additionally, for two years from the date of purchase, we will exchange your product free of charge should it become defective. Prove that we attach importance to quality.
- IPX6 WATERPROOF FOR SHOWER - Resilient IPX6 build protects the bluetooth speaker from dust, sand, and the accidental splash of water. Designed for shower
PROS:
- Extremely affordable: Less than $30 price tag
- Numerous ways to play including Bluetooth, 3.5mm auxiliary cable, or SD/TF card
- Splash proof, as well as resistant to dust and sand
- Good stereo quality HiFi 10W speakers
- Exceptional 33-foot wireless range
- Up to 10 hours of play time under normal conditions
- Durable construction to protect against drops or hits
CONS:
- While
sound quality is quite good, it’s not on the same level as high-priced options - No shuffle option when playing music from the SD card
- Buttons designed for multiple functions (no dedicated play/pause/forward/back). You must “long press” the same buttons to get certain actions
- Bass heavy songs may cause the speaker to vibrate on a hard surface
Our first pick is the waterproof, anti-drop, and durability tested Zosam Portable Bluetooth Speaker. In terms of value for your money, this device speaks volumes.
With all the qualities that you want in a basic, beach-bound speaker, it’s hard to find a better deal at such a low price point. The Bluetooth connectivity means you can easily pair it with all of your favorite devices, whether that is your phone, laptop, tablet, or even a Bluetooth enabled car stereo.
Don’t have Bluetooth? No worries! A standard 3.5mm auxiliary cable port allows for traditional wired connections. This comes in handy if you are playing from older devices.
As a third option, this speaker also has an SD/TF card slot for the use of
Once you are connected, get ready to enjoy the full-bodied sound quality of the dual driver stereo. With HiFi and 10W sound, it effortlessly plays any genre of music you may listen to.
In addition to being a great portable speaker, it is constructed to hold up through most adverse conditions. It is built to an IPX6 standard, which means it is protected against powerful water jets.
In terms of being “waterproof,” IPX6 is one step away from being considered fully waterproof, meaning it can handle everything up to, but not including, full submersion.
The durable rubber and iron shell protect the speaker from bumps, drops, scrapes, and the like. Combine this with the high capacity, 2200mAh battery and you can enjoy up to 10 hours of non-stop music at your favorite waterfront.
Plug in and recharge and you can enjoy this experience day after day. Its compact size and included carry strap make it easy and convenient to bring along or pack with other beach essentials.
All in all, purchasing this speaker stretches your dollar and provides you with a quality product that doesn’t break the bank.
2. Bugani M83 Bluetooth Speaker
- [Bluetooth Speaker] The latest Bluetooth 5.0 wireless speakers have faster connection speed, more stable signal transmission and lower power consumption. Easily connect to phones, computers, Windows and other Bluetooth device
- [40W and TWS] The amazing 40W provides you with the best listening experience. Two dual power diaphragms can improve the total harmonic distortion of the subwoofer to less than 1%. The TWS function can synchronize two BUGANi Bluetooth speakers. 80W stereo
PROS:
- 3.5 mm auxiliary cable included with purchase
- Next level, professional sound speakers
- Ability to pair with another Bugani M83 for simultaneous play
- Up to 20 hours of play time at half volume
- Allows charging and playing music at the same time
- Dedicated and easy to use buttons
- Exceptionally loud sound that projects well in
outdoor environment
CONS:
Larger speaker makes it less portable for packing inside a purse or bag- Slightly less affordable due to added features and better sound quality
Now that we have introduced the best affordable “base” package for speakers you can take to the beach, we are going to dive into a next level
The
First, let’s talk about the sound. In an upgrade from our last recommendation, the
This all adds up to bringing you a professional acoustic sound as well as a powerful and clear bass.
With 30w of output, you’ll get loud and satisfying music ability that carries across the waves.
For double the fun and the sound, this
In addition to the superior sound quality, these speakers can outlast virtually any beach party you throw at it. The 4000mAh built-in rechargeable 7.4V battery brings you up to 20 hours of non- stop music when played at a volume of 50%.
As an added bonus, the
This means no more depleted phone battery due to you having the best playlist at the party!
To complete the package, you can play your music from any device that has
Bluetooth connectivity or a 3.5mm auxiliary cable port.
No device? Simply put your files on an SD memory card and insert directly into the speaker. Then use the simple and intuitive controls to navigate your songs.
Most importantly for a day out in the sun and the sand, the
Not only does it have a great look that resembles the popular old school boom box
3. VAVA Wireless Loud Speaker
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PROS:
- Small size, BIG sound
- IPX5 construction for water, sand, and dust resistance
- Unique prism design for ultimate portability and versatility
- Ability to make and receive hands free calls via Bluetooth
- Full 24 hours of charge under normal use
- Includes a 3.5mm auxiliary cable with purchase
CONS:
- No SD or TF card slot or compatibility
- Expensive price
Our last pick is for those who can have only the best, regardless the cost. The higher price is not without cause, however, as this VAVA speaker brings together the best combination of superior sound quality and ultimate portability.
This small speaker packs a big sound and lets you bring the life of the party in the palm of your hand. An attractive and sleek looking triangular prism design allows for the speaker to set in a variety of ways.
This includes sitting flat on a table on any one of its three sides, floating effortlessly in the water, or standing upright in a cup holder with no problem.
You can bring the VAVA sound with you thanks to the two quality speakers and two end facing passive subwoofers. Enjoy all your favorite music and pulsating bass in
In addition to the sound quality you expect, this VAVA speaker offers the extra features and great construction that every beach speaker needs to have.
With simple and easy Bluetooth pairing, you can listen from any Bluetooth enabled device, as well as make hands free phone calls using the built-in microphone.
In the case of older devices, a 3.5 mm auxiliary cable connection is also available, supporting A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, and HFP.
Thanks to the IPX5 splash proof rating, you’ll be able to take this speaker with you in the water without worrying about ruining the device.
Dust, sand, and rain are also taken in stride with this tough and durable speaker.
A 5200 mAh battery provides you with 24 hours of non-stop playtime and party beats. While it does come with a higher price tag, this speaker is a great way for those who can to spoil their ears with high-quality sound without the burden of hauling large speakers to the beach.
Now that you have an idea of what each of these products has to offer, you can make the most of your days of fun in the sun.
So, whether your style is a sun-soaked chair setting a few feet from the water’s edge, or
The best option for you will depend on your specific preferences as well as what you are willing to spend, but one thing is for sure. From party bumping and fist pumping tunes to laid back and relaxing rhythms, you’ll be able to enjoy your music wherever you go.