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Best shower speakers

If you enjoy singing in the shower, this list is for you.
By

Published onOctober 30, 2023

The Best
UE WONDERBOOM 3
MSRP: $99.99
Check price
Positives
Great sound
Portable
Long battery life
Waterproof
Outdoor boost
Recycled material
Negatives
USB A (not USB C)
Startup/shutdown tones
Limited bass feel
No app support
Best sound
JBL Charge 5
MSRP: $159.00
8
Check price
Positives
Sound quality
IP67 rating
Bluetooth multipoint
Can charge your mobile devices
Negatives
No microphone
Bulky
No wired listening
Best design
JBL Clip 4
MSRP: $79.00
Check price
Positives
Improved carabiner
Loud for size (5W output)
Large controls
Battery life
USB-C charging
Bluetooth 5.1
IP67 rating
Negatives
No PartyBoost or Connect+
No aux input or microphone
Lacks fast charging
Best style
Bose SoundLink Micro
MSRP: $119.00
8
Check price
Positives
Loops onto anything
IPX7 rating
Portable and durable
Multiconnect
Loud
Negatives
Sub-par battery life
Latency issues
Sound degrades beyond 60% volume
Bang for your buck
Sony SRS-XB100
MSRP: $60.00
Check price
Positives
IP67 water and dust resistance
Good battery life
Lightweight and portable
Negatives
Not very loud
No features in companion app

No one is going to judge you; we’ve all done it—singing in the shower has been around since before showers were invented (don’t fact-check that). The acoustics of the bathroom turns everyone into Christina Aguilera. But streaming music off of your phone doesn’t sound good enough to match your newfound timbre, and it’s often too quiet to hear over the falling water. Your quest for the best Bluetooth speakers to use in the shower brought you here, and however you go about it, this list has you covered. These are the best shower speakers for budding superstars.

What's new?

  • This list was updated on October 30 10, 2023, to add the Sony SRS-XB100 to our Top Picks and a section to address the latest durable speakers from Skullcandy. We also answered a number of new FAQs.

The UE WONDERBOOM 3 is the best shower speaker

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 sitting on a red tabletop with the volume controls in clear view.
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UE’s offered a number of great shower speakers in the last few years, but the WONDERBOOM 3 is its current best option. The WONDERBOOM 3 has a 30-meter range, so you don’t have to bring the speaker and your phone in the shower.

The speaker has an IP67 rating, so you won’t have to worry about it getting damaged if it falls into the water as long as you fish it out within 30 minutes. Paired with the ability to float, this makes the WONDERBOOM 3 not only one of the best shower speakers but one of the best bath speakers, too. There are also prominent “+” and “-” signs on the front, which, as you might expect, control the volume.

A small elastic loop on the back makes it easy to hang the WONDERBOOM 3 from a hook or shower caddy. The speaker houses two 40mm drivers as well as two passive radiators for loud bass. Its “outdoor boost” mode also increases the speaker’s output but at the cost of clarity.

The UE WONDERBOOM 3 is at home when used in or outside of the shower.

Bluetooth connectivity remains limited to the SBC codec rather than aptX or AAC, but for showering, it’s good enough. The main issue is that, for some reason, the WONDERBOOM 3 uses a micro-USB for charging, not USB-C.

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3
IP67 rating • Good sound • 360 degree audio
MSRP: $99.99
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 is a great portable Bluetooth speaker, good for parties and on the go. It's small, sturdy and well built, and is light enough to easily be thrown in a backpack. However, the lack of USB-C charging does hinder it somewhat.

The UE WONDERBOOM 2 and WONDERBOOM 3 have more in common than you’d think. If you have the WONDERBOOM 2, you probably don’t need to upgrade. The main difference is that the WONDERBOOM 3 has a greater battery life and doesn’t have any additional app support.

If you just want good sound, the JBL Charge 5 is for you

JBL Charge 5 resting on a bed of crystals.
Sara Carbone
Use the Charge 5 or a pair of Charge 5s to DJ your next beach party.

The JBL Charge 5 is one of the best waterproof speakers you can get, but that’s what makes it so great for the bathroom. Everything good about this speaker gets amplified in the shower, especially the sound.

Like most of JBL’s new Bluetooth speakers, the Charge 5 is covered in a grippy fabric, and this one even has an IP67 rating. You can completely submerge it in the bath if you want, though I’m not sure why you would. It has a USB output to charge your devices (hence the name). Doing so will deplete the battery, but don’t worry: losing two or three hours barely makes a dent in the Charge 5’s 20-hour battery life.

The Charge 5 shares the exposed passive bass radiators on either end of the Xtreme and Flip 5. This adds emphasis to the low-end, which is great, considering the Charge 5 already has an impressive sound. The speaker also incorporates a small stand into its design. It may not stick to the wall of your shower, but you can easily put it on any flat surface in your bathroom for great sound, making it one of the best shower speakers.

With Bluetooth 5.1 and full support for PartyBoost Mode, you can get the party going from the bathroom to the backyard.

JBL Charge 5
JBL Charge 5
SG recommended
JBL Charge 5
MSRP: $159.00
Whether your season is full of trips to the beach or backyard parties, you'll need just the right speaker to DJ these events. The JBL Charge 5 gets the job done if you need something that's very loud, and quite portable. It's a little pricey though, so anyone who already has an older JBL Charge speaker shouldn't feel the need to upgrade.

You can take the JBL Clip 4 anywhere

The JBL Clip 4 Bluetooth speaker hands from a shower as it's sprinkled by water.
The IP67 rating protects the speaker from dust, dirt, and water.

If you want a shower speaker that can go anywhere with you, pick up the JBL Clip 4. This compact speaker has an IP67 dust and water-resistant rating, making it ready for any and all of your adventures.

The speaker comes in a wide selection of colorways, so you can pick the speaker that best suits your style. It also features a more robust carabiner clip, which makes it easy to attach it to a back, purse, or shower caddy. JBL states the Clip 4 lasts for 10 hours at a time, and when the battery runs out, you can recharge it via the included USB-C cable. It has a 5W output, which is quite a bit louder than the JBL Clip 3’s 3.3W output.

JBL Clip 4
JBL Clip 4
JBL Clip 4
IP67 rating speaker • Clippable • Improved playtime
MSRP: $79.00
A simple speaker made to go anywhere.
The JBL Clip 4 is a rugged-built Bluetooth speaker with a carabiner to clip it safely. It is rated IP67, one of the highest waterproof and dust-resistant rates.

Want a compact, stylish shower speaker? Get the Bose SoundLink Micro

The Bose SoundLink Micro (blue) underwater (white background)
IPX7 certification allows for the SoundLink Micro to be fully submerged for a maximum depth of 1m for up to 30 minutes.

Bose is one of the better-known brands in audio, and although its products might not be the most popular among audiophiles, the company certainly knows how to make a great niche product. The Bose SoundLink Micro is like that but in the speaker world, and it looks just as good in the shower as it does in your family room.

The only downside really is the battery life, but at around 4 hours in our testing, it’s still good enough just for the shower. Plus, it has playback controls built into it and a hook on the back so you can clip it to something in your bathroom. It isn’t the best, but for the price, it’s a great product.

Bose SoundLink Micro
Bose SoundLink Micro
Bose SoundLink Micro
Loops onto anything • IPX7 rating • Portable and durable
MSRP: $119.00
Still one of the best portable speakers you can buy.
If you're knee-deep in the Bose ecosystem and want a travel-friendly speaker that can withstand nearly anything, the SoundLink Micro is a great addition to have. Otherwise, save some money and go with something like the JBL Clip 4.

The Sony SRS-XB100 is small but mighty

A hand holding the Sony SRS-XB100 speaker.
Austin Kwok / SoundGuys
The speaker is easy to carry around with a single hand or hands-free via the included strap.

If you are looking for a small shower companion that can pump some bass through your bathroom, the Sony SRS-XB100 has you covered. At only 274g, it’s extremely lightweight while also being highly durable. An IP67 rating means the speaker is entirely resistant to dust and is protected against immersion in shallow water for short periods. Combined with a quoted battery life of 16 hours, you can leave it in the bathroom for a few shower cycles before having to recharge.

The speaker supports Google Fast Pair for quick pairing to Android devices. You can also access Google Assistant or Siri with the speaker by pressing and holding the play/pause button. It’s also partially made from recycled plastic and is shipped with no plastic material in the packaging, which is a nice eco-friendly touch.

Sony SRS-XB100
Sony SRS-XB100
Sony SRS-XB100
Sounds great • Holds a charge • Portable design
MSRP: $60.00

Should I buy the Skullcandy Terrain Mini XT or Kilo?

The Skullcandy Terrain Mini XT sits in a shallow creek, still functioning.
Christian Thomas / SoundGuys
IPX7 water resistance means you can drop your speaker into a shallow bit of water without breaking it, though your mileage may vary.

The Skullcandy Terrain Mini XT is a pretty sure bet if you’re looking for a cheap Bluetooth speaker that will survive casual abuse or water splashes. While it has pretty good sound quality for its size, the reason why it doesn’t make the top five picks on this list is that it has an IPX7 rating as opposed to an IP67 like the other options on this list, which makes it a bit less durable. Sure, the rating for water ingress protection is adequate for shower use, but because there is no rating for dust or other foreign object damage, it means this speaker might not hold up as well if you take it to the beach or on hikes.

To the Skullcandy Terrain Mini XT’s credit, if you already have Skullcandy speakers, it can be used in conjunction with them as a satellite with the Multi-Link feature. Ultimately, this one is mainly for those who need to save money and aren’t looking to buy anything fancy for their shower.

Skullcandy Terrain Mini
Skullcandy Terrain Mini
Skullcandy Terrain Mini
Good battery life • Loud • Good price
MSRP: $39.99
Compact and outdoor-friendly Bluetooth speaker
The Skullcandy Terrain Mini is a resilient little Bluetooth speaker. With up to 14 hours of play time, and USB Type-C charging port, this light-weight speaker is great for folks on the go.

It’s more or less the same Story with the Skullcandy Kilo. With its IPX7 water-resistant design, you can use the Kilo as a shower speaker without issue, but you can’t bring it with you anywhere outdoors. When it is in the shower, however, you can leave your phone in the bedroom. In our testing, the speaker maintained a strong connection to the phone through two layers of drywall. Overall, the Kilo is a good speaker for the price, but a true adventure speaker needs dust and water resistance.

Skullcandy Kilo
Skullcandy Kilo
Skullcandy Kilo
Affordable • IPX7 water-resistant build • 24-hour battery life • Stereo playback with other Kilo speakers
MSRP: $39.99
a barebones portable speaker that you can clip onto a backpack or a tent.

The best shower speakers: Notable mentions

The JBL Clip 4 Bluetooth speaker hands from a shower rod in front of a shower curtain and running shower head.
  • Anker Soundcore Flare 2 ($55.99 at Amazon): It’s waterproof, inexpensive, and has a much better design than any of the previous Soundcore speakers.
  • Anker Soundcore Flare Mini ($42 at Amazon): The flashing light might be overkill for your shower, or it might make it better for the lower price.
  • Anker Soundcore Icon Mini: This is one of the best shower speakers you can get. It’s a small Bluetooth speaker with an IP67 rating and a portable design. You get a woven attachment loop that you can clip onto a carabiner or wrap around your bike’s handlebars.
  • Anker Soundcore Mini 3: This small IPX7 speaker by Anker Soundcore Mini 3 has a 360-degree design. You can bring it into the shower, leave it in the kitchen, or chuck it in your backpack. Still, the price is double the Anker Soundcore Icon Mini. Anker includes a helpful app with an equalizer and raised buttons for controls. 15 hours of battery life and a USB-C charge port, plus you can link up dozens of other compatible Anker speakers, too.
  • Bose SoundLink Flex ($129 at Amazon): This speaker has a lot in common with the more squared-off SoundLink Mini, but you get a louder sound, more modern hardware (USB-C input), and dust resistance.
  • JBL GO 3 ($39 at Amazon)This portable speaker features a small loop that you can attach to nearly any shower caddy. It’s also a great adventure speaker with its dust and water-resistant build.
  • TOZO PA1 ($33 at Amazon): Like other TOZO products, this one often comes in much cheaper than the competition. With an IPX7 rating and a 25-hour rated battery, this one promises a lot.
  • UE BOOM 3: This speaker is a bit more portable than its big brother, the MEGABOOM 3, and features an IP67 rating, so you can take it to the beach, too, without hesitation. This supports UE PARTYUP, allowing you to connect over 150 compatible speakers together for an insanely loud output.
  • UE ROLL 2: This stylish IPX7-rated Bluetooth speaker packs a punch, delivering big sound in a slim form factor—perfect for a party… or your shower.
  • UE WONDERBOOM 2 (on the product’s website): If you can’t swing for the latest WONDERBOOM 3, this one is still pretty similar for cheaper.

What you should know about the best shower speakers

The UE Wonderboom waterproof Bluetooth speaker.
Compact and powerful, the original UE WONDERBOOM can handle anything you throw at it.

When it comes to any product that claims you can soak it, it’s also good to look at its IP rating. The IP rating, or Ingress Protection rating, is an international standard used to quantify how well an electronic device is protected against water and dust. Practically, it’s just a set of tests that a product has to pass in order to get a certification. Now look, we get it: IP ratings can be confusing, and most people don’t know what the difference is between IP67 and IPX5. Luckily, we did all the work research for you and made this chart to explain it.

Water-resistantWaterproofCan withstand
IPX0
Water-resistant

Waterproof

Can withstand
Not water-resistant
IPX1
Water-resistant

Waterproof

Can withstand
Dripping water (1 mm/min)
Limit: vertical drips only
IPX2
Water-resistant

Waterproof

Can withstand
Dripping water (3 mm/min)
Limit: Device max tilt of 15° from drips
IPX3
Water-resistant

Waterproof

Can withstand
Sprays
Limit: Device max tilt of 60° from sprays
IPX4
Water-resistant

Waterproof

Can withstand
Splashes, omnidirectional
IPX5
Water-resistant

Waterproof

Can withstand
Water jets (12.5 L/min)
Example: Squirt guns
IPX6
Water-resistant

Waterproof

Can withstand
Strong water jets (100 L/min)
Example: Powerful water guns
IPX7
Water-resistant

Waterproof

Can withstand
Complete submersion
Limit: 1 m. for 30 min
IPX8
Water-resistant

Waterproof

Can withstand
Complete submersion
Limit: 3 m. for 30 min

Just because something isn’t waterproof doesn’t mean it can’t survive a shower. As long as it can take a splash or minor sprinkles, you should be in the clear.

Is Bluetooth audio quality bad?

As great as you may sound when you sing, Bluetooth speakers probably won’t share that same quality. That’s not to say that music won’t sound good, but Bluetooth data transfers just aren’t up to par with wired—just don’t expect to mix your next Spotify anthem use it. It’s the practical aspect of a Bluetooth speaker that makes it worth it, not the quality.

Just keep in mind that while the acoustics in the shower are pretty nice for certain things, high volume is not one of those things. You may be better off with a smaller speaker than a much more cumbersome larger one.

What other kinds of speakers can you use?

While Bluetooth speakers are the cheapest and easiest way to get louder music into your bathroom, there are some other options. For example, suppose you’re looking to eventually hook up speakers all through your home. In that case, you can always just go with some wireless speakers like Sonos, which have a humidity-resistant speaker or two perfect for bathrooms. Smart speakers connect over your Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth, resulting in a stronger connection, though it will cost you more.

How we chose the best shower speakers

best shower speakers: A straight-on shot of the speaker being gripped in the hand.
The cloth wrap dries quickly and makes it easy to grip the Anker Soundcore Motion Q.

When it came to picking what we thought the best shower speakers were, there were a few features that we were looking for. The most important feature was obviously waterproofing.

We also considered the price. If you’re only going to be using the speaker while you shower, chances are you don’t need more than a hundred dollars. If you do decide to spend more, then it had better be a damn good Bluetooth speaker that you can use in a few different situations.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

A photo of the JBL Charge 3 in use near a hot tub.
Christian Thomas / SoundGuys
We put in countless hours of research year-round to ensure our findings are sound when it comes to the best shower speakers. It may look as if we’re relaxed, but we’re hard at work—always.

Being a SoundGuy is each of our daily grinds, and while we thoroughly enjoy our jobs, admittedly, not every product is stellar. However, that mixed experience allows each of us to pick out the golden eggs from the Humpty Dumpties. As far as shower speakers are concerned, each of us sings in the shower, and some of us may even be related to it for singing. That said, we want you to be happy with your shower speaker pick and understand that top-notch audio quality may not be what matters most in this instance.

None of our writers benefit from drawing you toward and away from a product. Although the site operates via referral links, no one here will know if a link was clicked or not. And while we agree that audio is a somewhat subjective experience, certain things are quantifiable, and we objectively test units when possible.

Frequently asked questions

No, the UE WONDERBOOM does not have a microphone. If you receive an incoming call, you’ll have to find your smartphone.

The main differences between the two speakers mainly concern connectivity. The older Charge 4 has Bluetooth 4.2 and an AUX port, whereas the newer Charge 5 has Bluetooth 5.1 and no AUX port. Other than that, there isn’t much of a discrepancy between the two. They both produce similarly good sound quality and the same IPX7 waterproof rating. So, if you’re looking to save some cash, the Charge 4 might be a good buy.

Opt for speakers specifically designed to be water-resistant or waterproof. IP67, IPX7, and IPX8 ratings are excellent indicators of water resistance.

Yes, if the speaker is rated as waterproof, you can safely use it in the shower.

Yes, but ensure it has a water-resistant rating like IPX7. Also, keep your connected device away from the shower area to prevent damage.

Generally safe if designed for wet conditions. However, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for usage and charging.

  • Use water-resistant or waterproof speakers.
  • Don’t handle electrical devices with wet hands.
  • Keep your connected device away from water.

The shower’s small, enclosed space enhances sound reverberation, essentially acting like a mini-concert hall. Something might also be said for the warm water that helps you relax, making the music feel more enjoyable.

Your pick! Upbeat POP tracks to energize you for the day or calming classical melodies for a night shower—choose what syncs with your mood.

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