When it comes to audio quality, you’ll want a shower speaker with loud, crisp audio and booming bass you can hear over the sound of the water running. A long battery life is an added bonus, giving you several shower sessions before needing to worry about recharging. Some more advanced speakers come with options to sync one or more together for a full stereo setup, while others are exceptionally portable and durable, lending them to outdoor use and not just the shower. If you’re looking for speakers specifically for outdoor use, be sure to browse our list of the best outdoor stereos for the beach, camping, and adventure. Otherwise, read on to see the best shower speakers to get. While the Charge 4 doesn’t have a handle or hook of any kind to prop it up in your shower, its IPX7 waterproof rating protects it from copious splashing or a tumble in the bath. And though this isn’t a stereo speaker, it delivers powerful sound quality that can be enhanced with a multi-speaker effect with the JBL Connect Plus app. This app allows you to connect more than 100 JBL speakers total and play audio on one other compatible speaker along with the Charge 4. You can also pair two smartphones or tablets to this speaker and handoff control between the two. Size: 3.5x8.5x3.4 inches | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: 3.5mm and USB-C | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: IPX7 Other improvements for this model include an outdoor mode that amplifies the sound specifically for the outside setting. The Wonderboom 2 is also great at delivering 360-degree sound, and this can be amplified by pairing a second Wonderboom 2 speaker for an even bigger and bolder stereo effect. The lack of a microphone is a small setback, but since this speaker is best for outdoor adventures or shower tunes, this won’t be something many will miss. The convenient loop at the top offers flexibility for hanging on your shower caddy or your daypack. Size: 3.68x3.68x4.02 inches | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: None | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: IP67 The Boom 3 is waterproof and durable, allowing it to be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. It can also pair with up to 150 other Boom speakers using the UE app, giving you a full audio setup with minimal effort. Size: 2.9x2.9x7.25 inches | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: None | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: Yes As for getting this device set up and ready to play, that’s also very straightforward and shouldn’t take more than 6 seconds according to the manufacturer. Once connected, the wireless range is a solid, standard 33 feet. Battery life is another pleasant surprise from this small speaker. It takes under 3 hours to charge the 650mAh battery fully and is supposed to last for 10 hours. And while you’re not enjoying music while lathering up, you can also receive phone calls if you need to, thanks to the built-in microphone. Size: 3.4x3.4x2.6 inches | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: None | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: Yes Although the IPX6 rating technically means that it’s only waterproof from splashes and not actual submersion, some users have reported accidentally dropping it in the water while kayaking or rafting, to no adverse effect. It forgoes suction cups—in favor of a strap—so you might need to get creative if you want to mount it in your shower. Having said that, it will sit nicely on a ledge, shelf, or even strapped to your showerhead. Size: 3.6x2.0x3.9 inches | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: 3.5mm | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: IPX6 If you leave the Aqua Audio speaker at home in your shower, you’ll easily get several weeks of use, if not more—depending on how long your showers or baths take. A single charge of the battery takes a speedy 2.5 hours, which means little down time between uses. And this speaker also lasts for 10 hours of playing time. In between podcasts and your favorite tracks, if you want to ask Siri a question or answer a phone call, there’s a dedicated button for both functions. Plus, the auto-pairing feature remembers your device for foolproof connectivity every time. Size: 3.54x3.54x3.54 inches| Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: None | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: Yes As icing on the cake, this device also delivers some premium sound quality. A pair of 40mm drivers in the front, two 32mm tweeters on the side, and a 100x28mm passive radiator in the back produce nuanced and rich 360-degree audio. Size: 4.0x7.0x9.0 inches | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: 3.5mm | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: IP67 While the Roll 2 is perfect for showers, it’s also rugged enough for outdoor adventures. The built-in bungee cord loop offers plenty of stay-put stability on your shower caddy, bike, or camping pack. You also get plenty of flexibility in terms of connectivity. The Roll 2 offers an excellent 100-foot wireless range, which is a significant bump up from 65 feet in the previous generation. Alongside an impressive range, the Roll 2 pairs to up to eight Bluetooth devices—and you can use two of those devices at the same time. If you have a second Roll 2, you also have the option to double the sound by streaming audio to both speakers from a single source. While the Roll 2 offers pleasantly bold and bright sound, you won’t get the most bass-rich performance from this speaker. But it’s impressive compared to the small, flat build. Just make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to charge up before your next outing. It does take about 5.5 hours to recharge, but you’ll get about 9 hours in playback time. Size: 5.3x1.6x5.3 inches | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: 3.5mm | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: Yes Each charge of the 12,000mAh battery takes about 3 hours and delivers up to 12 hours of playtime. And thanks to Bluetooth 5 technology and SD compatibility, you have your pick in terms of connectivity with a variety of devices and media sources—including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and MP3 players. Though the wireless range is 66 feet, some users have reported spotty connectivity at longer distances from the media source. That could be something to keep in mind if you plan to use the built-in mic for hands-free phone calls. This waterproof speaker also offers versatility for keeping in your shower via the detachable suction cup or the provided lanyard. The latter is also handy for attaching to your day pack. Size: 3.54x3.54x1.2 inches | Bluetooth: Yes | Physical Connection: microSD card | Digital Assistant: None | Waterproof: Yes Jeffrey Daniel Chadwick has been reviewing tech since 2008. Previously published in Top Ten Reviews, he’s written for Lifewire since 2019 about everything from video editing software to shower speakers. James Huenink has been reviewing products for Lifewire since 2019, covering a variety of tech ranging from speakers to CD players.
What to Look for in a Shower Speakers
Waterproofing and durability
You know you’ll be using your speaker in the shower, so it’s important to make sure the product you choose is ready for water exposure and/or submersion. Look for at least an IPX6 rating, which is safe against direct pressure from jets of water. Speakers with an IPX7 rating are probably a safer bet since they can withstand submersion in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Ratings of IP67 are even better since you’re guaranteed safety from dust, water, and drops in addition to full immersion. Rubber or silicone flaps will often protect any charging ports and 3.5mm inputs. Apart from just sounding better, having a dedicated, waterproofed speaker removes the risk from your phone, allowing you to adjust volume or skip tracks without potentially damaging your phone.
Wireless range
Speakers that are meant for use in the shower or poolside use Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly play tunes while you suds up or splash around. The latest standard is Bluetooth 5.0, but a fair number of speakers will have Bluetooth 4.2 or even 4.1. While wireless range shouldn’t be much of an issue if you play audio from a device in a nearby room, there’s always the chance for interference from other devices since Bluetooth range tends to top out at 33 feet. And if you plan to travel outside of your home with your portable speaker, options with expanded ranges will serve you better than options with limited reach.
Battery life
Actively using a Bluetooth connection to stream music can quickly drain your smartphone or tablet’s battery. Playback volume also has a big impact on the speaker itself. Ideally, you’ll get more than one use from your shower speaker before you need to recharge the battery. Consider both how long the battery will last on a single charge and how long those charging sessions take. One of our top picks, the JBL Charge 4 has a 7500mAh cell that can last for 20 hours of playback. That’s a solid runtime that significantly outdoes the 650mAh cell on the iFox iF012, one of our budget choices which can only last for 10 hours, but a larger battery also means a bulkier design and heavier weight.
Form factor
If your primary focus is shower karaoke, consider the layout of your space and the kind of speaker shape and format that works best. Do you have a ledge or shelf to house a bigger unit without any hooks or suctions? Or do you need something small enough to tuck away in your shower caddy? A 360-degree speaker has the advantage of pushing audio everywhere, which is a great choice for the outdoors, a party, and trying to fill a room. More compact speakers are easier to tote around, and you can also attach them to carabiners or even suction cup them to your shower wall if you don’t have space on a shelf.
