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Tony Ware
Shower speakers let you listen to your favorite podcasts, playlists, and albums without worrying about any damage from liquids or steam. Beyond the ability to withstand water, a truly excellent shower speaker will hold a charge, fit neatly on your soap dish or hang from the showerhead, and, most importantly, won’t sacrifice sound quality. After all, you can’t perfect your Mariah Carey whistle notes if your speaker won’t support you with a solid backing track. Whether you like to wind down with a bath and an audiobook or wake up to a warm shower and the daily news, choosing one of the best shower speakers will be much better than placing your smartphone in a precarious position.
Best overall: UE WONDERBOOM 4
Best fixture: Kohler Moxie Bluetooth Showerhead + Wireless Speaker
Best for audiophiles: Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Generation)
Best smart speaker: Bose Soundlink Micro
Best budget: INSMY C12 Waterproof Speaker
How we chose the best shower speakers
In order to find the best shower speakers, we scoured bathrooms far and wide to pool the best options and evaluate our favorite models. We took a second look at some of the waterproof and portable speakers we’ve recommended for outdoor use and inspected our own homes to find out what works and what doesn’t when it comes to a shower serenade. We also did a fair bit of research, asking friends and colleagues for suggestions and scouring specs to suss out models we weren’t already aware of, especially when it came to special features.
The best shower speakers: Reviews & Recommendations
We’ve compared water resistance, battery life, control options, and user reviews to ensure that each speaker we suggested would hold up against more than just a splash and is reliable for regular, everyday use.
Best overall: UE WONDERBOOM 4
Why it made the cut: The UE WONDERBOOM 4 is a portable powerhouse that packs a punch in any place, including your shower.
Specs
Battery life: 14 hours
Bluetooth range: 131 feet
IP rating: IP67
Onboard controls: Yes
Voice assistant: No
WiFi: No
Pros
Durability
Sound quality
Four colorways
Portability
Cons
Strap is too small to hang from most showerheads (though a shower caddie typically works)
No auxiliary connection for external sources
Ultimate Ears’ WONDERBOOM 4 checks all the boxes we look for when evaluating shower speakers. Its maximum volume (87dB in boost mode) is more than sufficient for drowning out the sound of rushing water, its audio quality is superb for its size, and it’s small enough to fit on a corner shelf of your shower without taking up very much space. Thanks to its IP67 durability rating, you won’t have to worry about it getting damaged when being splashed or even submerged completely underwater if it accidentally plops into your bath.
This floatable, submergible, even dustproof speaker is equipped with a pair of 40mm active drivers and two passive radiators, which produce a frequency range of 75Hz–20kHz. The bulbous speaker is made from plastic that’s at least 31 percent recycled and has a 360-degree sound design that radiates your favorite tunes from all angles. Indeed, it can play music in stereo, albeit with very little separation, given the speaker’s small size. In its standard mode, the WONDERBOOM 4 reaches a maximum volume of 86dB, but pushing the tree-shaped button on its underside enables “outdoor mode,” outputting an extra decibel. In our tests, the standard sound mode was sufficient for use both in and out of the shower.
Other on-speaker controls include a play/ pause button, pairing button, and oversized, rubberized +/- buttons embossed on the recycled polyester fabric wrap, which let you easily control the volume of your tunes. This speaker weighs less than 1 pound and measures 4 inches by 3.7 inches. It’s available in four fun colors and features a flexible loop at the top so you can hang the speaker from a suction cup or shower caddy. The loop doesn’t have a tremendous amount of give, but it’s sufficient for wrapping the speaker around the neck of a shower head.
If you can’t stand the idea of having to shower without the accompaniment of music, Ultimate Ears’ WONDERBOOM 4 is a portable, affordable solution. And if your shelf and desire for bass are bigger, consider the step-up but still handheld model, the UE EVERBOOM.
Best fixture: Kohler Moxie Bluetooth Showerhead + Wireless Speaker
Why it made the cut: An acoustically tuned speaker that magnetically attaches to a showerhead cradle for a luxurious bathing experience.
Specs
Battery life: 9 hours
Bluetooth range: Up to 32 feet
IP rating: IPX7
Onboard controls: No
Voice assistant: No
WiFi: No
Pros
Designed specifically for bathroom listening
Seamless shower integration
Sleek design
Voice control
Cons
No onboard controls
App could use an upgrade
Requires proprietary charging dock
It’s a showerhead! It’s a Bluetooth speaker! It’s both! When it comes to a pure Bluetooth shower speaker, this set combines the best features to create an exciting, installable collection of bathroom essentials: steady water pressure and access to your favorite music. The Moxie showerhead comes in polished chrome (alternately available in brushed nickel or matte black) and releases 1.75 gallons of water per minute with circular spray coverage. The IPX7-rated speaker itself attaches magnetically, so you won’t experience any hassle when it comes to charging. Unlike other portable Bluetooth speakers, this unit is specifically tuned by Harman Kardon to fit the acoustics in your bathroom, which means you won’t have to crank up the volume once the water starts flowing (there’s also a “normal” sound profile if you want to use it around the house or the pool). Though the speaker does not have any analog controls, you can still play, pause, skip, and more using voice control. And the 9 hours of battery life can handle however long you need to exfoliate and decompress.
Best for audiophiles: Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Generation)
Why it made the cut: The 2nd-gen. Beosound A1 is a sleek, slim speaker that is easy to travel with and equipped with Alexa to make searching tracks from the shower that much easier.
Specs
Battery life: 18 hours
Bluetooth range: up to 800 feet
IP rating: IP67
Onboard controls: Yes
Voice assistant: Yes (Alexa)
WiFi: No
Pros
Compact size
Sound quality
Brand reputation
Battery life
Cons
Expensive
Volume is limited
If you want a shower speaker with impeccably sculpted aesthetics and audio, the Beosound A1 (2nd Gen.) might just be for you. It comes in four polished colors, weighs roughly 1 pound, and measures approximately 5 x 5 inches with a flat bottom so it can safely rest on almost any surface. Bang & Olufsen produces high-end audiophile favorites, so while this speaker is pricey at nearly $300, you’re guaranteed to get great sound out of your purchase. The compact size of this premium speaker doesn’t mean energy is sacrificed—as the Beosound packs in a 3.5-inch subwoofer and 3/5-inch tweeter powered by 2×30 watts to create an impressive maximum output of 92 dB. With a resulting frequency range of 55-20Hz, this speaker is well-equipped to turn your bathroom into a concert for one. While it doesn’t have stereo sound, Bluetooth 5.1 (with AAC and aptX support) and the 360-degree driver produce a wide soundstage and a refined frequency response, which is adjustable using the Beosonic app’s sound customization feature and five EQ presets. The app also includes tools for setting up a stereo pair using another B&O speaker and disabling the voice-assistant feature, which is compatible with Amazon Alexa when active. The A1 features a three-microphone array for crystal clear communication and a discreet control panel that allows you to play, pause, skip, adjust volume, and turn the microphone on and off. The hanging loop will likely fit over most showerheads, so you can easily install it in just about any shower.
Best smart speaker: Bose SoundLink Micro
Why it made the cut: With the Bose SoundLink micro, you don’t have to miss out when your roommates or family start having a dance party right when you need to hop in the shower.
Specs
Battery life: 6 hours
Bluetooth range: Up to 30 feet
IP rating: IPX7
Onboard controls: Yes
Voice assistant: No
WiFi: No
Pros
Stereo and Party modes
Portable
Voice assistant compatibility
Cons
Battery life
The silicone strap may be hard to hang from showerhead
If you’ve already brought a Bose speaker into your life, chances are you’re hankering for more of the brand’s crisp, balanced sound. This tiny travel speaker is a great option to take with you or post up on your soap dish. It’s IPX7, fully waterproof, with onboard controls, 6 hours of battery life, and a soft yet rugged exterior that will hold up against wear and tear. A silicone strap can be used to fix the speaker to a towel rack or wire shelf and is easily transferable to a backpack strap or bike handle when you’re on the move. It’s only Bluetooth 4.2 with the SBC codec, but the pairing of a custom transducer and passive radiator ensures there’s plentiful bass despite the compact size. Easily pair this speaker with your smartphone to use voice prompts, which allow you to take phone calls and access Siri or Google Assistant as you’re covered in suds. It’s also multipoint, so you can link to one or more SoundLink speakers using the Bose Connect app’s SimpleSync feature, which means you won’t need to leave any festivities taking place beyond the loo (plus you can create stereo pairs). You, too, can contribute to a Dolly Parton sing-a-long or experience your favorite Rolling Stones party prep playlist while you jump in the shower.
Already invested in the Sonos multiroom ecosystem? To make your connected system truly whole-home all the way to the shower, the Sonos Roam 2 is a great waterproof portable that you can stream to via either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Best budget: INSMY C12 Waterproof Speaker
Why it made the cut: This waterproof speaker from INSMY is similar in design to others on our list but at a fraction of the price.
Specs
Battery life: 12 hours
Bluetooth range: 66 feet
IP rating: IPX7
Onboard controls: Yes
Voice assistant: No
WiFi: No
Pros
Affordable
Detachable suction cup
Available in six colors
Supports TF/MicroCard SD
Cons
Sound quality is only satisfactory
Controls can be hard to use
Retailing for under $35, this waterproof Bluetooth 5.0 speaker is a great option for those looking for a more affordable option, or those hoping to supplement their speaker collection with something inexpensive they can simply set up and leave in the shower. The battery lasts for 12 hours at 70% volume with a three-hour charge time, so you won’t have to worry your music will cut out mid-Miley Cyrus banger. The INSMY is designed with a 5W driver and dual opposing passive radiators to create an impressive stereo sound that can power over showering noise without any vibration. It comes with a suction cup and long lanyard, so you won’t have any trouble finding a home for this speaker in your shower. Small yet mighty, this model offers sound that will soar above the rush of jacuzzi tub jets. The C12 also comes with onboard controls on the backside of the unit for pairing, power, volume, and play/pause, though they can be a little hard to use depending on the speaker position. Finally, it has a slot for a MicroSD card if you want to load up files rather than rely on a wireless connection.
What to consider when buying the best shower speakers
Before you take the plunge and buy a new shower speaker, it’s essential to investigate all the features and specifications listed. While the best shower speakers share the same components that make up any speaker, there are specific considerations to ensure the unit is indeed fully waterproof with the right controls to keep you jamming to your favorite songs; just don’t bust too big of a move and risk a slip.
IP rating
For the most part, a shower speaker is just a Bluetooth speaker with additional protection from water, though some will include special features. This means that you’re generally shopping for a speaker with a high IP rating.
IP stands for “Ingress Protection,” which tells you just how fortified an electronic device is against dirt, dust, and water. The first digit describes particle protection (dust or sand), and the second describes liquid. For example, if a speaker has a rating of IP57, the “5” indicates it can keep out most dust and dirt particles. The “7” means you can submerge the device in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes before any damage occurs. If you see a rating that looks like IPX7, the “X” means no data is available for that substance.
Only speakers with an IPX7 or X8 rating can actually claim waterproof status (IPX8 means it’s protected in 3 meters of water for 30 minutes). These are the only units we can recommend you take with you directly into the shower; however, if you are alright settling for just a bathroom unit, you can consider a speaker with a lower rating and it will be fine to sit on a steamy counter. IPX6 can withstand a strong stream of water for a short time, about 100 liters per minute, think water guns. IPX5 can handle 12.5 liters of water per minute, more like a squirt gun. An IPX4 rating can handle brief, omnidirectional splashes. However, we can’t recommend using a speaker with a rating below IPX5 into the shower.
For safety reasons, never bring a wired speaker into your bathroom, especially when the shower, sink, or bath is in use.
Frequency range
If you’ve browsed speaker specs and scratched your head when seeing a range of Hz, it might be time to add frequency range to your catalog of considerations when looking for a new music-blasting device. Without getting too much into the science of frequencies, you’ll need to know that a Hz to kHz range represents the spectrum of sound your speaker can reproduce. The standard spec for most speakers and earbuds is 20Hz – 20kHz, which is the approximate range of audible sound humans can hear. That said, some speakers come with a variation of that. While exceeding this range might indicate a higher-quality speaker, any variation from the standard range is unlikely to be audible unless you have truly exceptional hearing.
Battery life
While having a long-lasting battery has become a standard feature when it comes to Bluetooth speakers, some smaller (some may say shower-sized) models won’t always be equipped with the best battery in the world. Make sure you check out the specs and look for a model that can last between 10 and 20 hours, so you won’t have to sit on the couch in your towel waiting for your speaker to quickly charge before finally hopping into some suds. Keep in mind that while some speakers can still play music while they charge, you shouldn’t charge your shower speaker while it’s in use and near water. This could be dangerous and lead to a nasty shock.
Controls
While this might not be the case for other portable or bookshelf speakers, it’s essential that your shower speaker have onboard control buttons so you can play, pause, and skip tracks. Without these features, your only recourse when that one meh album slips into your shuffle will be to reach a wet hand out of the shower for your phone, potentially knocking it down and damaging it in the process. Perhaps the best part about having a shower speaker is knowing that you won’t risk damaging an expensive electronic device.
Fancier features
While it’s true that most shower speakers are portable Bluetooth units that you can bring with you into the bath, some speakers are designed quite exclusively for shower use. If you’ve already got your portable needs covered or you’re looking for something more involved, grab a speaker that adheres to your showerhead or a speaker that doubles as a mirror. For those who want something designed specifically for showering, invest in speaker tiles, which are wired units that need to be carefully installed but blend in perfectly with your wall.
Connectivity
Keep an eye out for the specific version of the Bluetooth protocol while making your selection—anything 4.2 and above is considered a stable wireless connection for your devices, but a 5.1, 5.2, or 5.3 version will offer improved connectivity and give you the latest Bluetooth tech available. The version of Bluetooth used can impact the distance and durability of signal from your phone to speaker. The safest way to listen to tunes is to pair your device and then leave your phone or computer outside of the bathroom completely. Even if you don’t get your device wet directly, the condensation and steam from hot water can be just as dangerous. A steady connection and a longer range mean you don’t even have to unplug your phone from its charger in the bedroom to stay connected.
Depending on what kind of devices you use, you’ll also want to check out the Bluetooth codecs supported by your shower speaker. While all Bluetooth speakers will be equipped with the standard SBC, this format isn’t the highest-quality option for playing your tracks. For those who rely on Apple products and iOS, opt for AAC; if you’re an Android user, look for aptX. Some speakers have even more specific codecs (like LDAC) to give you the best quality possible but, for the most part, these specifications will give you a quality listening experience fit for streaming in the shower.
FAQs
Q: How much do shower speakers cost?
You can spend $25 to $250 on a shower speaker. Just make sure it’s actually intended for continuous submersion (i.e., it’s at least IPX7 rated) or you’ll be paying more to replace it quickly.
Q: Are shower speakers safe?
Yes, shower speakers are safe as long as you read each unit’s specifications and follow any set-up instructions. While you can’t just place any portable speaker in your bathroom, a Bluetooth speaker with an IPX7 won’t pose any risk to you and won’t be subject to damage even after being submerged in a foot of water for 25 minutes. Just make sure to never plug your speaker in or change the battery if it’s actively wet, and you can continue to belt your heart out while you shower safely.
Q: How do shower speakers work?
Typically, shower speakers work the same way that any portable Bluetooth speaker works with additional protection from water and other liquids. When paired with a smart device, like your phone or computer, these speakers can play audio using radio frequency waves (RFI) rather than through audio cables, making them suitable for bathroom use. It’s best to select a speaker with a long Bluetooth range and onboard controls so you can control your music without bringing your device into the bathroom and risking damage.
Q: Can you use JBL speakers in the shower?
Yes, you can use many of JBL’s speakers in the shower, including the JBL Flip 5, Flip 6, Charge 5, Clip 4, Go 3, and select earlier models. Not all JBL’s products are waterproof, so make sure you check the specs and IP rating before purchasing a speaker to go in your bathroom. If the waterproof rating is between 2-5, you may still be able to use the speaker while you bathe, but we wouldn’t recommend taking it into the shower with you or subjecting it to a steady stream of water.
Final thoughts on the best shower speakers
Best overall: UE WONDERBOOM 4
Best fixture: Kohler Moxie Bluetooth Showerhead + Wireless Speaker
Best for audiophiles: Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Generation)
Best smart speaker: Bose Soundlink Micro
Best budget: INSMY C12 Waterproof Speaker
If you’re seeking the best shower speaker to bring your favorite podcasts, playlists, and albums into the bathroom, make sure you consider style, battery life, and overall design. Always check the specs, specifically the IP rating, to confirm that the speaker you have your eye on is waterproof, and consider how the speaker will fit inside your shower. Once you know what you’re looking for when it comes to special features, you can select a shower speaker that will deliver quality sound to help you wake up during your morning shower and chill you out during your nightly bath.
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