Can I Take My Ue Roll in the Shower
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 playing 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 shower speakers brought you here, and however you go about it, this list has you covered. These are the best shower speakers for budding superstars.
Related: Bluetooth speaker buying guide
Editor's note: this list was updated on September 20, 2021, to add the JBL Charge 5 and to include the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Second Gen to the Notable mentions section.
The UE WONDERBOOM 2 is the best shower speaker
UE's offered a number of great shower speakers in the last few years, but the WONDERBOOM 2 is its current best option. The WONDERBOOM 2 has a 30-meter range, so you don't have to bring the speaker andyour 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 2 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.
See: Bluetooth speaker tips and tricks
A small elastic loop on the back makes it easy to hang the WONDERBOOM 2 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 WONDERBOOM 2 is at home when used in or outside of the shower.
If you download the mobile app, you can get even more functionality out of the speaker. You can pair a second WONDERBOOM speaker for true stereo sound, which isn't exactly a helpful feature for the shower, but it's great for parties. Bluetooth connectivity remains limited to the SBC codec, rather than aptX or AAC, but for showering it's good enough.
If you just want good sound, the JBL Charge 5 is for you
The JBL Charge 5 is one of the best speakers you can get, period, 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 room-filling sound, making it one of a few 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.
You can take the JBL Clip 4 anywhere
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.
If you want the best shower speaker that looks just as good in the living room, get Bose SoundLink Micro
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.
Related: Best cheap Bluetooth speakers under $50
For those that want to spend as little as possible get theJam Hang Up
The UE Roll 2 is a great waterproof speaker in general, but if you literally want a speaker to just stick on your bathroom wall then the Jam Hang Up is one of the best shower speakers available. For less than $20, it features a similar design to the Bose SoundLink Micro with a more whimsical design and selection of colors.
On the rear of the Hang Up is a silicone panel that can be pulled back to reveal a sticky pad, which effectively sticks onto any flat surface. During testing, it never fell from the shower wall. What's more, it's easy to clean and if you want to use it as a small living room speaker, just cover the adhesive pad with the same silicone flap.
Although the buttons are designed to look fun, which they are, they're difficult to press. It takes quite a bit of force, which actually deterred me from switching tracks. Additionally, between the "X" and "O" buttons is a vertical line that matches the predominant speaker color; initially, I thought it was just a separator for the "X" and "O," but it's actually a multifunction button.
Related: Best waterproof speakers
On the flip side, the Hang Up has a brilliant design that houses the included micro-USB cable; you'll never be without a charge. The speaker also includes an auxiliary input, which is increasingly rare to see in speakers of this grade. Overall, if spending less than $20 on shower speakers appeals to you, then the Jam Hang Up should be hung up.
What you should know about the best shower speakers
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-resistant | Waterproof | Can withstand | |
---|---|---|---|
IPX0 | Not water-resistant | ||
IPX1 | ✓ | Dripping water (1 mm/min) Limit: vertical drips only | |
IPX2 | ✓ | Dripping water (3 mm/min) Limit: Device max tilt of 15° from drips | |
IPX3 | ✓ | Sprays Limit: Device max tilt of 60° from sprays | |
IPX4 | ✓ | Splashes, omnidirectional | |
IPX5 | ✓ | Water jets (12.5 L/min) Example: Squirt guns | |
IPX6 | ✓ | Strong water jets (100 L/min) Example: Powerful water guns | |
IPX7 | ✓ | Complete submersion Limit: 1 m. for 30 min | |
IPX8 | ✓ | Complete submersion Limit: 3 m. for 30 min |
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.
Learn more: Understanding Bluetooth codecs
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, if you're looking to eventually hook up speakers all through your home then 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.
Best shower speakers: notable mentions
- Altec Lansing IMW257 Mini H20: The attached clip is good for hanging the speaker from a towel rack in the shower, and the speaker itself features an IP67 build, making it an excellent pick for anyone rough on their belongings.
- Anker Soundcore Flare 2: It's waterproof, inexpensive, and has a much better design than any of the previous Soundcore speakers.
- Aoimais Sport II:If you want something that looks as rugged as it is durable, the Aomais Sport II needs to be in your speaker arsenal. It's an IPX7 speaker with a shock-absorbent build, so it can handle your toughest adventures.
- Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Second Gen: This portable speaker has an IP67 rating and 18-hour battery life. You can hang it from your showerhead via the integrated carry loop, and it comes in five colors to express your style.
- House of Marley No Bounds Sport:This portable Bluetooth speaker features an IP67 rating and it floats, so you can drop it in the bath. It has an aux-in port, stash space at the bottom, and a carabiner for transport. At just under $90, this is a great deal.
- JBL Clip 3: The Clip 3 also makes a solid option for your shower, assuming you have a showerhead thin enough to clip the carabiner around. If not, a towel tack should work just fine.
- JBL Flip 5: This is completely waterproof and sounds good. Plus, it costs less than $100 and has a string on the side, so you can hang it.
- JBL GO 3: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.
- Soundbot SB510 HD: If you liked the Jam Hang Up but want something with a more unique design, the SoundBot is a great pick. It still sticks to a shower wall and costs a hair less than the Hang Up.
- 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 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.
How we chose the best shower speakers
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 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
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. If you so choose, we implore you to read our ethics policy.
Next: Best Bluetooth speakers
Can I Take My Ue Roll in the Shower
Source: https://www.soundguys.com/best-shower-speakers-9587/
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