The 10 Best Shower Speakers
This wiki has been updated 19 times since it was first published in August of 2019. Rather than starting your day off groggy and grumpy, with a good shower speaker, you can listen to your favorite music, podcast, or audiobook as you get clean. Some of the units we've included have other features, too, such as a built-in mic or voice control. We've ranked the best models available, judging them by their durability, sound fidelity, battery life, convenience, and price. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. JBL Clip 4
2. Mpow Q5
3. Speaqua Barnacle Vibe 2.0
Editor's Notes
January 08, 2021:
During this update, we replaced the JBL Clip 3, with its newer iteration, the JBL Clip 4. Though the latter comes in less color options, it utilizes a more up-to-date Bluetooth version and a more powerful transmitter, which means it offers better wireless range. It also boasts a wider frequency response range. The JBL Go 3 is a new addition for those who want something even smaller than the Clip 4, though you will get a shorter battery life and lower maximum volume and bass for the tradeoff. As much as we liked the UE Roll 2 and still think it is a great speaker, it has been discontinued by the manufacturer and availability is becoming an issue. Even when you can find it, the selling price is often twice what it was originally listed for, so we have decided not to recommend it any longer. Taking its place is the Speaqua Barnacle Vibe 2.0, which not only has a handy suction cup base, plus a couple of other mounting options, but allows you to link two units together for portable surround sound.
August 24, 2019:
Only a few of the options we've chosen were intended to be used primarily as shower speakers. Coincidentally, of our top 5 picks, none of them are built solely for this purpose. Rather, thanks to constantly-improving waterproofing standards in portable speakers, shower usage has become a welcome consequence, albeit mostly unintended. The waterproofing is often conceived for those who want to bring their speaker onto a boat, raft, pool float, etc. We suspect that as time goes on, a few more savvy innovators will create high-quality speakers designed specifically for the shower.
With all that said, the models we've included function excellently in the shower, even if they weren't designed solely for this purpose. Many of the speakers we chose were suction-cup models or clip-on units, both of a similar size and shape, with a decent battery life, acceptable sound fidelity, and an inexpensive price tag. Examples include the JBL Clip (#3), the VicTsing SoundHot (#7), the iFox iF012 (#8), and the SoundBot 510 HD (#10). Those who want a cheap, no-fuss model will have plenty to chose from there.
If, on the other hand, sound fidelity is not something you're willing to look the other way on, then we'd recommend checking out the Bose SoundLink Micro (#2), the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 (#4), and the Braven Mira (#5). The Boom 3 has the loudest, clearest output, but it's also the clunkiest, and you'll need to find somewhere to place it where it won't get knocked down.
Our top pick, the UE Roll 2, offers both high-fidelity output and convenience. It's small, sleek, and powerful, and for that reason, we've deemed it worthy of the #1 spot, despite its slightly intimidating price.
Special Honors
Kohler K-8033 SoundTile Speakers Engineered in conjunction with Polk, these wall- or ceiling-mounted speakers offer fantastic fidelity, and you won't have to worry about tripping over them or anything like that while you towel off. Though installing them certainly requires some practical know-how (or the help of a professional), once you have these installed, they're pretty much as low-maintenance as you can hope for in a pair of shower speakers. kohler.com
Kohler Moxie K-9245-CP Showerhead This innovative, American-made unit consists of a Bluetooth speaker that screws into the included showerhead. Removing the speaker from the fixture to charge it with the included micro-USB cable is very easy. The battery life is pretty decent, though, so you won't need to do this too frequently. If you're in need of a new showerhead anyway, this combination makes sense. kohler.com
4. Bose SoundLink Micro
5. JBL Go 3
6. Polk Boom Swimmer Duo
7. Altec Lansing Mini H2O 3
8. Braven Mira
9. SoundBot 510 HD
10. iFox iF013
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.