Finding the right music system to accompany you on that trip can be a headache. Though several speaker brands exist, selecting the best Bluetooth speakers for a boat can make your trip entertaining.
If you are making a sizable investment in buying a boat, whether you use it for fishing or leisure trips, you need the right speaker to provide entertainment throughout your trip.
Waterproof Bluetooth speakers come in all shapes and sizes, but not all are designed with the same output. With technological advancement, finding the best brand to suit your boating needs is not hard.
I have tested several waterproof Bluetooth speaker brands for regular, outdoor use to help you make an informed decision when buying one for yourself.
This article will provide you with my top 10 picks of the best brands worth your attention. I will also take you to some of the essential factors you should consider to help you make an informed decision and some frequently asked questions on the topic.
Bose speakers have gained a good reputation for their excellent quality speakers, which provide great bass and treble. That is no different on this variety of Bluetooth speakers as they provide unmatched audio quality and clarity.
The Bose Soundink Flex speaker has state of the art design, packed with Bose’s exclusive technologies. The custom-engineered transducer facilitates impeccable sound quality even in outdoor environments.
The Bluetooth speaker’s biggest flex is its IP67 rating. Rest assured that it is among the best waterproofing capabilities in the market.
The SoundLink Flex has several other features that make it the best Bluetooth speaker for a boat, including its battery capacity of up to 12 hours.
If you are looking for a Bluetooth speaker for your boat to last a few years before considering an upgrade, the DamerBox would be a great choice.
In terms of its sound quality, the waterproof speaker is incredibly loud and clear and has a powerful bass. The speakers contain professional-grade sound excels that amplify any sound you are listening to, making them an excellent choice for outdoor adventures.
Its rigid toolbox appearance is crushproof. The casing is also waterproof to keep all its internal components protected.
If you are looking for a Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t compromise on its power output, ECOXGEAR Sound Extreme will be the best choice. The speaker’s appearance is the best part.
The speaker functions with the latest Bluetooth 5.0 version making it easier to stream music up to 100 feet from the connected device. Its integrated design makes it easy to operate with a push of a button or voice command.
This is the best Bluetooth speaker for your boat if power is your top priority, as it is built with 8 marine-grade speakers: 4 midrange speakers, 2 woofers, and 2 tweeters.
One of the most outstanding features of this 500 watts speaker is it can be connected to additional speakers through its Aux-out jack to daisy chain.
This speaker allows you to connect to up to 50 compatible speakers to make the power louder.
JBL Charge 5 has signature sound quality from its optimized long-excursion driver. The speaker’s bass radiators and separate tweeter add to the great sound quality.
The speaker’s battery capacity can provide up to 20 hours of playtime. It also has an in-built power bank that lets you charge your devices without taking a break.
This is an incredible additional feature for those who love to spend long hours outdoors and don’t like to carry multiple accessories.
Regarding design, the Bluetooth speaker is incomparable with other brands. It is compact and lightweight, making it a great carry-along device.
Whether you take it on a boat trip or listen to music in the shower, rest assured of its quality, as it has an IP67 rating.
If you are looking for a price-friendly speaker, so it doesn’t put a dent in your pockets, then the Jiahayau Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker has you covered. Though budget-friendly, the company did not compromise on its audio quality as it has a loud stereo.
The speaker features 2 tweeters and 2 full-range drivers that deliver 60 watts of loud and clear audio. It also has been designed with 2 additional passive radiators on its front and back to give you a truly wireless, rich, and crisp sound.
Jiahayau uses Bluetooth 5.0 technology to ensure a faster and more stable connection to your device. It also has a digital signal processor that helps to increase its clarity and loudness.
The speaker has one of the best waterproofing ratings in the industry, so you will not have to worry about it when you take it for an outdoor adventure. The silicone cap seal will ensure all speaker components are safe.
Soundcore Anker Motion Boom is a powerful audio output device worth your consideration when looking for the best Bluetooth speaker for the boat. It is an upgrade from its predecessor, Soundcore Motion+, as it has better features and specs.
Though it has a simplistic appearance, it is awesome for the outdoors. The speakers are distortion-free despite the high volume.
The company designed the speaker’s drivers with 100% titanium to reproduce high frequencies. Rest assured; you will have better clarity compared to the earlier version of the speaker.
Join the over 20 million Soundcore wireless device users and experience the company’s proprietary audio technologies from this speaker. The speaker’s dedicated application lets the user customize the EQ settings to get the right sound.
The INSMY Portable Bluetooth Speaker has a great design that is less bulky. The compact and sturdy design can easily fit on a backpack without taking up too much of your space.
It also has a comfortable strap to carry it in your hand. Since it is lightweight, you won’t notice it unless you turn it on.
The portable speaker has a 20W driver for loud and rich bass. Dual passive radiators support the drivers to bring forth a high-resolution sound. All these incredible sound features ensure less than 1% harmonic distortion for you to experience sound clarity that is out of this world.
Built for an outdoor experience that you love. It can stay submerged underwater to a depth of 1 meter for half an hour without developing any issues.
It has a high IP rating, so take in your next boating adventure to enjoy listening to your favorite tunes without fear of them getting damaged by moisture.
Elevate your listening experience with Altec Lansing Life Jacket Mining, one of the best Bluetooth speakers for boats. The speaker is designed to provide the right fit for outdoor activities by keeping the party going.
Although the speaker is small, it packs Neodymium Drivers and a passive radiator to deliver louder and clearer sound.
The true wireless speaker is waterproof thanks to its tightly sealed build. This lets the party not stop even when it accidentally drops into the water.
The speaker can float on water, making them ideal for boating or your next pool party. It also has dancing LED lights to take your fun to the next level. This helps set the right tone when listening to it, especially at night.
Similar to its premium version on this list, this Bluetooth waterproof speaker would get your party going even in extreme conditions. The nearly indestructible pelican case will not disappoint you as it keeps the contents of the speaker safe.
The casing is versatile, providing additional dry storage room for items like phones you carry in your boating adventure. While I might easily focus on how exclusively rugged the DamerBox speaker is, it also has other amazing features.
Designed by a sound engineer, James Demer, he took the sound quality and powerful bass of Bluetooth speakers to a whole new level. It contains a professional-grade sound that makes it loud enough for outdoor parties.
Turtlebox offers some of the most attractive portable speakers in the market that are easy to carry. The unique design makes the Gen 2 speaker recognizable instantly. It has a comfortable grip handlebar that makes it easier to move around with.
The box-designed speaker is light enough to take with you on all your outdoor activities. With an IP67 rating, you will not have to have any fears that any damage will happen to it in a humid or dusty environment.
The Turtlebox Gen 2 is among the best Bluetooth speakers, as it can provide above 25 hours of playtime. This is supported by its Lithium-ion battery pack.
Things to Consider When Buying Bluetooth Speakers For Boat
You should check out multiple features before settling on a particular brand. They Include:
Waterproof Rating
The International Electronic Commission has a standard measurement rating on electronic devices’ resistance to dust and water. The Ingress protection (IP) rating comes with two numerical figures, with the first representing a device’s protection against solids (dust). If you notice an X, it means that it has not been tested on that particular category.
The second number represents the liquid resistance of a device. If you want the best Bluetooth speaker for your boat, make sure its moisture rating is above 6.
This will generally mean your speaker would have protection for up to 30 minutes when submerged in water. A buoyant-designed speaker is an added advantage as it floats when it falls into the water.
Battery Life
Since the Bluetooth speaker would be mostly used outdoors, a high chance is there would be no power supply to charge it. Having a brand that can deliver at least 12 hours of playtime provides a reasonable charge for you to enjoy music for your entire trip.
It is important to know how much the speaker consumes while on maximum volume as some brands would advertise a higher figure of playtime but would not be able to reach even half of it on max volume.
A brand with an internal power bank would also have additional advantages, as you could charge your other carry-on devices when they are running low.
The connectivity range of your Bluetooth is important to consider depending on the size of your boat. Bluetooth allows your speaker to communicate wirelessly with its connected device as it relies on short-range radio frequencies.
If you have a smaller boat, this would not be much of an issue, as you could establish a connection easily. Getting the latest Bluetooth version would be crucial for larger boats.
Speakers that offer up to a 100ft connection radius would be the best choice.
Durability
Before settling on a particular brand, make sure you know the materials it’s built from. Since the speakers would spend much of their time outdoors, they are prone to damage once in a while.
Study casing with shockproof features can assist in keeping the internal component of the speaker safer over a long time.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is an important feature to consider when looking for the best Bluetooth speaker for the boat. All in all, the intention of having a speaker accompany you on your outdoor activities is to experience quality sound on the go.
In that case, make sure you properly research a speaker’s components and the drivers it uses. If you are a high bass and power fan, the best option is to get a premium speaker or connect multiple brands on your boat to give an out-of-the-world listening experience.
Additional Features
While having the standard features for your Bluetooth speaker is important for your listening experience, having a brand that offers more than that will elevate your experience to whole new levels.
A feature such as a carrying handlebar is important if you have a heavier, less portable speaker. Other important features include a mounting option to secure the speaker while on your boat.
The speaker can also have a radio to keep you in touch with the weather forecast, which helps in making life-saving decisions.
FAQ
How many speakers should I put in my boat?
If you are wondering how many Bluetooth speakers you can put on your boat, the answer to this question would depend on several factors and your preferences. If you are on a smaller boat, one premium brand with a powerful bass would be right for the job.
But if you have a big boat, having multiple speakers with a multipoint connection feature would be the better option. Some brands can connect up to 50 speakers.
Though some brands claim that having one speaker would provide great sound quality, the simple fact is that most music is designed to be heard from different speakers. If you are an audiophile, ensure make sure any speaker you carry is a 3-way speaker.
If you want a speaker for your boat, it should differ from the speakers you regularly use in your car or at home. Some of the best Bluetooth speakers for a boat are designed and built with protective casing.
The casing will protect them from moisture, salt, UV rays, and other elements that could cause damage to them. Some brands go a step ahead to provide a mount to secure them to a specific position on your boat.
Where is the best location for speakers on a boat?
Optimal placement of your speakers will give you the best sound quality. Choosing the right spot will also help prevent damage to the speaker and any possible interference with other marine electronic equipment on your boat.
Avoid placing them under the seat if you have a full-range speaker. They should be placed as high as possible to maximize sound output and quality. If you have a larger boat, consider mounting them above your head. The closer they are to a wall-like surface, more bass they’ll have.
It is also important to avoid places that have too many objects. Most of the sound would be absorbed, and you won’t have the listening experience you desire.
If your speakers do not mount, place them in a secure spot, so they hit other objects or fall into the water.
Can you use non-marine speakers in a boat?
Technically you can use non-marine speakers on your boat adventures, but it is not recommended.
If you take regular trips on your boat and need some entertainment, using a non-marine speaker would not be the best option as you will subject them to the harsh environment, and they probably won’t last as long.
I recommend choosing one of the speakers mentioned above for many reasons. Some of the most notable reasons are their waterproof rating. The marine speakers are built with heavy-duty materials to ensure durability.
They also have powerful sounds to cut through the noise experienced when outdoors.
Conclusion
Your boat trips are made easier with today’s technology. With this technology, you can enjoy listening to your favorite music while sailing.
If you are looking for a waterproof Bluetooth speaker, this article has spoiled you with multiple choices that are up to the task.
While most modern wireless speakers don’t offer stunning sound quality in an outdoor space, the speakers above are up to the task of delivering more than you can imagine.
With an extended Bluetooth range, additional features, and more, look into the properties you prioritize before settling on a particular brand. Make sure your chosen brand has a user-friendly interface and a high IP rating.
Is a musician and journalist with over 13 years of experience writing for some of the music world's biggest brands. Ray loves getting nerdy about everything from guitar gear and synths, to microphones and music production hardware.
