This is the only Bluetooth speaker I trust to take camping

I already bring way too much stuff camping. Between the coolers, paddle boards, and everything else crammed into my 4Runner, every piece of gear has to earn its place. That’s why the Soundcore Boom 3i has become a permanent part of my camping kit.

It’s compact enough that I never think twice about packing it, but what really sold me is how it handles life around the water. Living in British Columbia, I split my camping trips between mountain lakes and the coast. That’s where the Boom 3i separates itself from almost every other outdoor Bluetooth speaker I’ve tested.

I never worry about this speaker

The Boom 3i isn’t trying to be the prettiest Bluetooth speaker. The exposed vented grille, chunky rubber bumpers, and rugged plastic shell make no attempt to hide that. But after spending time with it, I think that’s exactly the point. It looks like a speaker meant for outdoor use.

That first impression matches the specs. The Boom 3i is drop-proof, carries an IP68 rating, and is one of the few major Bluetooth speakers that’s resistant to both fresh and salt water. The USB-C charging port sits behind a thick rubber cover, helping keep dirt, sand, and moisture out when it’s not charging.

After a few camping trips, I realized I’d stopped thinking about where I put it. I’d leave it on the picnic table overnight, set it down on a sandy beach, or toss it into the back of the car without a second thought. That’s exactly what I want from a camping speaker.

It’s exactly the size I was looking for

Every camping trip starts the same way: I try to fit one more thing into an already packed 4Runner. That’s where the Boom 3i’s shape really won me over. Its rectangular design packs surprisingly well, sliding neatly alongside the rest of my camping gear instead of rolling around or creating awkward gaps.

Despite its compact footprint, the Boom 3i’s 50W output is more than enough for the way I camp. It easily fills my campsite without making me feel like I’m carrying around more speakers than I need. Whether I’m making breakfast, cooking dinner, or a few friends stop by, it has plenty of output without crossing into party speaker territory.

The included shoulder strap also turned out to be more useful than I expected. I’ve used it to carry the speaker down to the beach, and I often hang it from a picnic shelter rather than leave it sitting in the dirt. There aren’t exactly many flat surfaces in the woods to leave a speaker sitting around.

I also didn’t expect to like the built-in lights as much as I did. They’re fully customizable, but I found myself using the Campfire preset most often. It swaps the usual blue and purple lighting for warmer reds and oranges that feel much more at home around a campsite. If I’d rather save battery, I can switch them off entirely.

It’s built for life around water

Most waterproof Bluetooth speakers are designed to survive falling into the water. The Boom 3i feels like it was designed to spend the day around it.

I often strap the Boom 3i to my paddleboard before hitting the water. A calm mountain lake is one thing, but paddling on the ocean is another. Between the waves, salt spray, and the occasional splash, I know the Boom 3i will survive.

Very few major Bluetooth speakers are resistant to both fresh and salt water, so I’m just as comfortable taking it out on the coast as I am at an alpine lake. And if it does end up overboard, it’ll float and naturally keep the drivers facing upward until I grab it. After a day on the ocean, I rinse it off, run the Buzz Clean feature, throw it back in the truck, and don’t think about it again until the next trip. That’s one less thing on my packing checklist.

The extra features actually make sense outdoors

The Soundcore app is one of the better companion apps I’ve used with a Bluetooth speaker. The first thing I did was tweak the 9-band EQ to brighten the default sound, but I quickly realized the app offered much more than just EQ controls.

The Buzz Clean feature is a great example. Because the Boom 3i has an exposed vented grille, sand and dirt can work their way into the speaker after a day at the beach. Buzz Clean plays a low-frequency sweep that vibrates the drivers, helping shake loose any debris. It sounds gimmicky until you’re brushing sand off your gear after a day on the water.

I also appreciate that Soundcore included features that actually make sense for outdoor use. The emergency alarm and voice amplifier are reassuring to have if you’re paddling or camping somewhere remote, while white noise could help drown out noisy campground neighbors at night.

None of those extras sold me on the Boom 3i. The compact design, rugged build, and saltwater resistance did that. But they reinforce the feeling that this isn’t just another Bluetooth speaker with an app. It feels like a speaker that was designed for people who actually spend time outdoors.

Why the Boom 3i is the only Bluetooth speaker I take camping

After months of camping, beach days, and paddleboarding, the Boom 3i has earned a permanent place in my camping gear. It packs easily, shrugs off dirt and water, and is one of the few Bluetooth speakers I trust around salt water. I’ve tested plenty of Bluetooth speakers outdoors, but this is the one I never think twice about throwing in with the rest of my camping gear.

For me, it’s still just part of the experience, not the main event. I keep the volume at a respectful level so my group can enjoy some music without disrupting everyone else’s time outdoors. After all, the best soundtrack to a camping trip is still the sound of the waves, the wind through the trees, or a crackling campfire.