Top 8 Rugged Bluetooth Speakers of the Year

Get the best sound for your outdoor adventures
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The manufacturers of the following eight rugged Bluetooth speakers have raised the bar in terms of what a quality rugged speaker encompasses. Each of these stylish speakers is built with action and adventure in mind. Whatever expedition or escapade you are preparing for, you'll find something you like on this list. I've personally had hands-on testing time with each of these heavy-duty speakers and I can attest to their superior sound quality and the integrity of their design. All of the speakers mentioned in this list come with built-in microphones and all are at least IP-X5 water-resistant, and many are fully waterproof and submersible. These speakers are presented in no particular order.

House of Marley Chant Sport ($119.99)

House of Marley’s Chant Sport is the brand’s most rugged and durable Bluetooth speaker to date. Made almost entirely of recycled materials, the Chant packs sound quality worthy of the Marley name along with features like a built-in microphone and playback controls. The speaker can fit in a water holder on a bike or it can be attached to a belt loop or backpack using the included carabiner.

 

"The AcoustoShock—with its 8,000 mAh internal battery, IP-X5 water-resistance rating, and 30-watt output—offers the loudest, most impressive audio for the dollar, by far."

Turcom AcoustoShock ($89.99)

The AcoustoShock is built like a tank: It’s durable and sturdy, with a tire-like tread design around its edges. Compared to other speakers on this list, the AcoustoShock is relatively large; but despite its size, it remains relatively lightweight. The water-resistant AcoustoShock has a discreet handle that pops out of a slot to make carrying easier. And like many of the other speakers on this list, it also allows you to recharge your iPhone or iPad from its internal battery. The AcoustoShock—with its 8,000 mAh internal battery, IP-X5 water-resistance rating, and 30-watt output—offers the loudest, most impressive audio for the dollar, by far.

UE ROLL ($99.99)

This tiny speaker from UE continues the tradition of excellent audio quality that led to the company’s BOOM speaker becoming one of the most critically praised personal-sized Bluetooth speakers to hit the market. The ROLL’s unique design sets it apart from an ever more crowded field of rugged Bluetooth speakers; in fact, just looking at the UE ROLL, you'd never know that this fashionable speaker is built to withstand submersion and rough handling without a problem; despite its fancy looks, it's deceptively durable. It also offers a uniquely designed bungee strap on the back side to make it a breeze to attach this speaker to almost anything. Additionally, with the free UE iOS app, you can pair the ROLL with other speakers in UE's catalog of great Bluetooth speakers for stereo surround sound.

 

Braven Balance ($129.99)

This water-resistant Bluetooth speaker has a sleek, avant-garde look that complements the iPhone and iPad nicely. The Balance allows you to use its 4,000 mAh internal battery to charge your iPhone or iPad. The snug seal over the speaker’s port means that it will stay dry, even if doused with water or splashed by the pool.

 

"Thanks to its compact, portable design, the EcoStone is what I'll use most frequently for any of my adventures to the creek or beach."

Grace Digital EcoStone ($149.99)

The EcoStone is a compact waterproof speaker that pumps out huge sound. It includes a convenient built-in LED flashlight and a 12-hour battery that also recharges your iPhone. Like the much larger (and much heavier) FUGOO XL, it also floats; so there's no risk of losing or damaging the speaker, even if it falls into deep water. Thanks to its compact, portable design, the EcoStone is what I'll use most frequently for any of my adventures to the creek or beach.

Outdoor Technology Big Turtle Shell ($199.95)

The Big Turtle Shell belts out sound at 110 decibels—making it one of the loudest of any speaker on this list. It's truly impressive how much this powerful speaker will make the floors and walls of a house rattle. The Big Turtle Shell can also charge your iPhone or iPad from its own internal battery, and it can get 16 hours of playback from a single charge. While not waterproof, it is extremely water-resistant, with an IP-X5 rating. This is often my speaker of choice for any dry mountain or desert camping expedition.

 

"The BoomBOTTLE+, named for the ease with which it can slip into most bottle holders, broadcasts its audio in a full 360 degrees."

Scosche BoomBOTTLE+ ($179.99)

The BoomBOTTLE+, named for the ease with which it can slip into most bottle holders, broadcasts its audio in a full 360 degrees, meaning that regardless of where you or your friends are sitting relative to the speaker, every one of you will experience the same crisp and clear audio. Fully waterproof, the BoomBOTTLE+ is designed for anyone who wants a powerful, portable Bluetooth speaker that can easily fit into a backpack, slide into a water bottle holder, or be clipped to your waist or hung from a tent roof. The BoomBOTTLE+ includes a 6,000 mAh internal battery that can also charge your iPhone or iPad and delivers a full 15 hours of playback.

FUGOO XL (Starting at $279.99)

The FUGOO XL delivers 97 decibels of sound and over 30 hours of high-volume playback, in addition to a backup battery that can charge and recharge your iOS devices. The speaker is perfect for an outdoor party or family camping trip or any outdoor situation where audio needs to be delivered to a large area while offering protection from the elements. The FUGOO XL is available in three unique styles: the earthy STYLE, the rugged SPORT, and the impervious TOUGH. It even floats, so if it falls into the water it's not going to pull a Titanic and plummet to the bottom.

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