A beach trip wouldn’t be complete without your favourite music. However, due to the beach’s sandy and watery environment, regular ol’ speakers just won’t do—especially when you don’t always have the luxury of having a plug nearby.
This is where portable Bluetooth speakers come into play.
Portable speakers have come a long way since their launch in the mid-2000s. These days, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars for a premium portable speaker. You can get one for as low as $50 and still enjoy it.
In this article, we’ll list some of the best portable speaker for beach activities. All the listed speakers are water- and weather-resistant, and can all be connected to any smartphone via Bluetooth. Let’s dive right in!
Our Recommendation of Best Portable Speaker for Beach
In terms of design, durability, availability, and, of course, sound quality, here are five of the best portable speakers to take on your next beach adventure!
- Bose SoundLink Revolve+ (Series II) (Best Overall)
- Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 (Runner Up)
- Alpatronix Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker (Best Value)
- Anker Soundcore Flare 2 (Best Budget Pick)
- JBL Xtreme 3 (Best for Beach Parties)
1. Bose SoundLink Revolve+ (Series II)
Pros
- Great battery life (17 hours)
- Bold sound performance
- Dust and water-resistant
- Built-in handle for easy transport
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a charging dock (sold separately)
The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ is a portable Bluetooth speaker that has it all. Voice assistant? Check. Built-in microphone? Absolutely. Water-resistance? Yup. Impressive sound quality? You can bet on it.
The Revolve+ is a premium speaker and it shows. Despite its compact size, it’s jaw-droppingly loud. Its cylindrical, 360-degree omnidirectional sound allows it to generate strong, pumping bass without any distortion.
Even at its maximum volume, the Revolve+ delivers rich boosted lows and clear sculpted highs. It’s no wonder it’s dubbed as one of the best speakers in its price range.
The speaker’s unique “audio lantern” design makes it easy to carry around and use. Moreover, you can connect it to an Amazon Alexa-enabled device for hands-free control of your music. Don’t have an Amazon Alexa? No problem. Connect it to your device’s default voice assistant instead.
2. Ultimate Ears BOOM 3
Pros
- Above-average battery life
- Portable bottle-shaped design
- Interactive app
- Rugged design
- Can sync up to 150 Ultimate speakers
Cons
- Bass and mid-frequencies lack sharpness and power
In terms of versatility, the Ultimate Ears BOOM ticks all the right boxes. It’s one of the best-selling portable speakers for a reason; it’s compact, easy to use, and, with a max volume of 90 decibels, it packs quite the punch.
With a waterproof rating of IP67, the Ultimate Ears BOOM is one of the most rugged speakers we’ve tested. Designed with a shock-resistant body, the BOOM can easily survive drops off up to five feet. Moreover, it’s 100% protected against solid objects like dust and sand, and tested to work for at least 30 minutes under one meter of water.
The Ultimate Ears BOOM is available in a range of two-tone iridescent fabric finishes, with the primary colors being blue, black, red, and purple. Since the fabric used is originally designed for fire equipment and motorcycle jackets, the BOOM’s casing is as durable as it is attractive.
It doesn’t disappoint in sound, either. The BOOM is loud and powerful. Its 360-degree conical design imparts an immersive binaural listening experience.
With that said, its bass and mid-frequencies weren’t anything to write home about. They’re not bad—not by a long shot—but the speaker certainly would have benefitted from a sharper kick.
The battery life is decent, running continuously for around 15 hours. Not the highest on this list, but still above-average in terms of portable speakers.
3. Alpatronix Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Pros
- Rugged, shock-proof design
- Surprisingly loud and clear sound
- TF card slot allows you to connect micro-SD card onto the speakers
- Attractive, old-school design
Cons
- Unusable below 20% battery, even when the speaker is plugged in
The Alpatronix Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker delivers 60 watts of crazy-loud sound. That’s something you rarely see at a price range of less than $100.
Appearance-wise, the Alpatronix is reminiscent of early-2000s speakers. It’s designed with metal grates, hard plastic sides, and a carry strap you can throw over your shoulder. On the top, you’ve got five buttons: power, volume, pause, and several EQ settings.
The Alpatronix is splash-proof and weather-resistant, so you don’t have to worry if it accidentally gets wet or rained on while at the beach.
In terms of audio, the Alpatronix delivers clear and full sound. It has a decent deep bass (which can be enhanced through the sound setting) and almost true-to-life tunes. For the price it’s listed at, the Alpatronix certainly doesn’t disappoint.
4. Anker Soundcore Flare 2
Pros
- Full, true-to-life sound quality
- Speakerphone function
- App-controlled multi color LED lighting
- Can sync up to 100 speakers
Cons
- Lacks 3.5mm aux jack
- EQ can’t be customized
The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 costs half the price of premium brands without compromising quality. Although it lacks a voice assistant and deep, hard-hitting bass, it delivers surprisingly solid audio. Paired with its excellent build quality and cool LED lights, the Soundcore Flare 2 more than compensates for the lack of bass.
For such a small device, the Soundcore Flare 2 is surprisingly loud. Its low-frequency rumble isn’t mind-blowing, but its overall sound is reasonably crisp and clean.
Design-wise, the Soundcore Flare 2 impresses with its multi-color LED light strips and cloth-covered cylindrical exterior. To keep the speaker from tipping over due to sound vibration, its base is lined with rubber.
The Soundcore Flare is protected by an IPX7 waterproof rating. This means it can fully submerge in meter-deep water for up to 30 minutes without much damage.
5. JBL Xtreme 3
Pros
- Supreme sound with powerful, bass-forward audio
- Immensely loud
- High-quality build
- Impressive dynamics attributes
- Realistic distance rendering
Cons
- Above-average cost
- Doesn’t have an EQ
- Lacks voice assistant capabilities
If you want power, look no further than the JBL Xtreme 3. Equipped with dual 25-watt 2.8-inch woofers and 0.8-inch tweeters, the Xtreme 3 delivers heart-thumping beats and rubles, making it ideal for beach parties and loud volleyball matches.
With that said, the Xtreme 3 is costlier than most. For $300+, you’d expect it to have all the features found in a premium speaker. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case.
For one, it doesn’t come with any voice assistant capabilities. It also doesn’t have an equalizer. Since it already delivers top-tier sounds, the EQ may seem a bit redundant. Even so, the freedom to tweak certain sound aspects isn’t an unwelcome one. Everyone has a preference, after all.
All that aside, the Xtreme 3 is excellent in its own right. It’s a speaker built for adventure: rugged and cleverly designed, equipped with a carrying strap and a built-in bottle opener. Plus, it’s fully waterproof, making it ideal for beach trips and pool parties.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Portable Speaker for Beach
There are countless portable speakers on the market. With such a large selection, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. To help you select your ideal speaker, consider the following:
Waterproof Rating
Since you’re taking the portable speaker to the beach, dust and water resistance is something you should always consider. That way, you won’t have to worry about water damage if the speaker gets splashed on or if it accidentally falls into the water.
Compared to regular speakers, water-resistant speakers are generally more durable. Although they don’t usually sound as clear as their non-waterproof counterparts, it’s a small price to pay for extra durability and safety.
If possible, buy a speaker with a waterproof rating of at least IP68.
Battery Performance
You definitely don’t want your portable speakers to run out of charge before you’re in the safety of your own home (and a power outlet). Therefore, opt for a speaker that offers at least 15 hours of playback.
Sound Performance
Sound performance is as important as the speaker’s durability. Some speakers focus on bass, while others focus on enhancing EQ profiles. Decide what you find most important and go from there.
Don’t forget the frequency range, as well. You want your speakers to be clearly heard in an open environment like the beach. It should deliver frequencies between 100Hz and 20,000Hz.
Final Thoughts
In terms of functionality, style, and audio quality, our choice for the best portable beach speaker is the Bose SoundLink Revolve+. Although it’s not as loud as the JBL Xtreme 3, it delivers premium sounds with crystal clear vocals and deep, heart-thumping bass.
The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 is a budget-friendly alternative to the SoundLink Revolve+. While it’s not as powerful as the latter, it still delivers excellent sound and decent bass.
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