Speakers That Actually Belong in the Water.
If you’re here, you’re not looking for just another waterproof speaker. You’re after something that’s meant to float — a speaker that can bob around in the pool or hot tub all day without sounding like a drowned radio.
And that’s a narrower group than most people realize.
Plenty of Bluetooth speakers are waterproof. A few even float. But very few are actually designed to play well while floating — with 360° sound, waterproof drivers, and smart buoyant designs that keep the speaker above water where it belongs.
That’s what we’re focusing on here.
What You Should Know Up Front
- True floating speakers are a niche category. Most waterproof speakers aren’t optimized for in-water use. We’re only including models that are built for it.
- Sound quality is better than you’d expect — but not earth-shaking. These are meant to deliver clear, even sound over water — not house-party bass.
- Battery life varies dramatically. Light shows, higher volume, and small form factors can eat through battery faster than you think.
- Not all speakers float the same way. Some bob gently, others spin or tilt. If orientation matters (for light or sound), look for self-righting designs.
So, What Should You Buy?
Here are the best Bluetooth speakers that are truly made to float and play music in the water — not just survive a splash.
Best Overall Floating Pool Speaker With Lights
Our Top Pick
Best For Pairing Together
Best Budget Pick
Best for 360° Sound
Best for Group Use
A Quick Note on Storage and Drying
Here’s a tip you won’t find on most product pages: don’t store your floating speaker wet. Even if it’s waterproof, long-term moisture can wear down seals, ports, and battery life — especially if it sits in humid garage air or near chlorine residue.
After every use, give it a rinse with clean water (especially if it’s been in a chlorinated or salt pool), then let it dry completely before tucking it away. If it comes with a charging port cover, check that it’s fully closed before and after every session. These small steps can extend the life of your speaker by a year or more.
Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for in a Floating Bluetooth Speaker
Choosing a floating Bluetooth speaker isn’t like choosing a waterproof one. Just because a speaker can survive a dunk doesn’t mean it belongs in the water. A true floater is designed for life in the pool — it stays upright, plays clearly above the waterline, and doesn’t need babysitting every five minutes.
But that doesn’t mean you should grab the first “IPX7” model you see. Here’s what actually matters when you want something that’s more than just waterproof.
Let’s Start With the Obvious: It Needs to Float Well
This sounds basic, but it’s the detail that disqualifies half the waterproof speakers on the market. You don’t want a speaker that technically floats — you want one that floats correctly. That means it stays upright, doesn’t capsize, and keeps the speaker driver above the surface where it can actually project sound.
Some are designed with a wide base to avoid tipping. Others use circular or symmetrical designs so they can float in any orientation without muffling the sound. What you don’t want? Tall, skinny speakers that bob sideways or roll over every time someone cannonballs.
Water Resistance: IP Ratings Aren’t Optional
If the speaker’s going in the water — not next to it — you’re looking for IPX7 at a minimum. That means it can survive full immersion in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. But that’s just the baseline.
Here’s a quick recap:
- IPX5–6: Splashproof only. Fine for showers or decks, but not pool-safe.
- IPX7: The minimum for floating speakers. Fully submersible, but not invincible.
- IP67: Waterproof and dustproof — great for lakes, sandy areas, or beach use.
- IP68: Rare, but allows longer submersion at greater depths. More common on dive gear than pool speakers.
One note: even if a speaker is waterproof, you still need to seal its ports properly. A single loose rubber flap can turn a floating speaker into a paperweight.
Related: What Do IPX Ratings Mean?
Sound Above the Surface
Audio over water is tricky. Bass gets swallowed, echoes bounce unpredictably, and directionality becomes more noticeable. That’s why you want a speaker that prioritizes midrange clarity and can push out even sound without distortion when it’s floating ten feet away.
360° sound is a big plus in this category. With everyone floating in different spots, directional audio often means half the group hears everything, and the other half gets muffled thumps. Speakers that radiate sound in all directions help solve that — but even then, placement matters. If your speaker floats lopsided or has wet speaker grills, sound suffers fast.
Battery Claims vs Pool Reality
Let’s be honest — speaker battery life rarely lives up to the spec sheet. When you add sunlight, Bluetooth connectivity, and an LED light show, that “12-hour” speaker might give you six.
Some manufacturers rate their battery life with:
- No lights on
- Low volume
- Zero Bluetooth interruptions
But that’s not how anyone actually uses them. If you’re in the pool with lights on, volume up, and people walking around with phones, expect to cut the advertised battery time in half.
If long playtime matters to you, look for models that advertise a minimum of 8–10 hours under typical usage, not just lab conditions. And prioritize USB-C fast charging — especially if you plan to use your speaker multiple times a week.
Tethering Isn’t a Gimmick — It’s a Lifesaver
Here’s something you won’t see in most product comparisons: floating speakers drift. Slowly. Silently. Right into corners, out of reach, or worse — off the side of your float into the deep end.
If your speaker doesn’t come with a lanyard, tether loop, or built-in strap, you’ll probably lose track of it at some point. Some models include tie-down options that let you clip it to an inflatable, a pool edge, or even your wrist. It’s one of those features you’ll only appreciate after your speaker floats face-down into silence for the fourth time.
Not All Features Are Worth the Power Trade-Off
LED lighting is fun. Especially at night. But if you don’t need it — turn it off. On most floating speakers, lights draw a lot of battery and reduce playtime by hours. Similarly, features like hands-free calling or voice assistant support might sound cool, but they rarely work well when you’re wet, floating, or surrounded by splashing kids.
The one extra worth paying for? Speaker pairing. Some floating speakers let you link two units together. Not only does that improve volume and sound spread — it can also let you anchor one on each side of the pool or hot tub so no one gets left out.
Bluetooth Signal Can Be a Dealbreaker
Water is brutal for wireless signals. It absorbs and distorts Bluetooth range more than you’d expect. If your phone’s sitting on a towel under your chair 25 feet away, chances are good your connection will skip or drop.
To improve stability:
- Keep your phone close and in line-of-sight when possible.
- Look for speakers with Bluetooth 5.0 or newer.
- Avoid stacking devices or placing your phone under metal or foil-covered surfaces (yes, it happens).
Some users also keep an old phone or tablet closer to the water, just as a dedicated Bluetooth player — it works surprisingly well.
Think About Where You’ll Actually Use It
Pool? Hot tub? Lake? River float? Not every speaker suits every environment. A flat, circular model might float perfectly in a hot tub but flip over in open water with waves. Conversely, rugged models built for kayaking might be overkill for casual backyard lounging.
It helps to think of these speakers more like pool accessories than audio equipment. Choose one that fits your vibe — whether that’s LED-lit fun, minimalist performance, or rough-and-tumble adventure audio.
Final Thoughts
A good floating Bluetooth speaker doesn’t just handle splashes — it’s built to float, sound good on water, and stay part of the action without constant supervision.
All five of these picks are designed with that in mind. Whether you want low-key music while you drift in the hot tub, or you’re lighting up a night swim with tunes and LED glow, there’s a solid option here for every kind of poolside setup.
The key is to focus on design and water performance first — and treat everything else as a bonus. Because once you’ve got the right speaker in the water, you’re not going to want to get out.
Altec lansing rockbox xl is fantastic for the pool floating