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Gearing up for summer at the cottage? Keep the mood up, and the music pumping with the best outdoor speakers for a dock so the party doesn’t stop for anything! Here, we’ll break down and review some of the best marine-grade and waterproof speakers to keep the vibes going at your next summer dock splash, along with some information about choosing the right speaker or system to suit your needs. We’ve come a long way from hardwired in speaker systems, or simply relying on ‘tinny’, quiet on-board boat speakers to carry us through to the evening. Check out some of the alternatives out there with our helpful and informative reviews below!
What Are the Best Outdoor Speakers for a Dock?
Investing in the right thing up-front means you won’t have to double back and pour more money into a project than you initially planned. If you’re revamping your dock area, there’s a few things to look at, and your soundscape is certainly one of them.
Prepping your dock, whether it’s on the river or up at the cottage is key to getting the most out of it this summer. In this piece we’re going to break down outdoor speakers that are suitable for using on the dock, as well as the different types you’ll run into and which ones are going to be the best pick for your setup.
What’s the Best Type of Speaker for a Dock?
There are several types of speakers you can use on a dock, but it all depends on what you’d like to achieve. There’s some important things to consider that we’ll break down for you now. First off, how large is your dock? If your dock is well over 20ft long, you’re probably going to want some more substantial volume, and maybe even bass. This especially so if you expect people to be splashing around in the water, while also enjoying the music! In this case, a small Bluetooth speaker wouldn’t really do the trick.
That being said, the alternatives that are available nowadays don’t necessarily mean hardwiring a system on your own, a lot of mounted speakers capable of putting out a lot of sound aren’t terribly difficult to set up. In fact, all it comes down to is mounting a couple of speakers, finding a plug for the power cord and connecting them to one another, (usually via speaker ‘pinch’ cables).
It makes for incredibly easy set up, and it’s more or less become the new standard in waterproof outdoor dock speakers.
The Best Outdoor Speakers for a Dock to Enjoy Your Summer
Check out some of our reviews down below, and we’ll go into detail about how and where they might be a good fit!
EcoXGear EcoTrek Rugged Waterproof Floating Bluetooth Speakers
Deep bass, long battery life and on-speaker buttons make this bluetooth sound system a standout entry on our list. Besides its IP67 rating, dust-proof and waterproof casing, the speaker can even float on it’s own! Seriously, you could tie a rope to this thing off of the doc and play your favorite tunes while bobbing around in the water! Believe it or not, this thing even has cup holders!
Buy on AmazonFor on the dock sound, you can rely on a balanced and rich sound with long-range bluetooth connectivity of about 100 feet from the device it’s connected to. Like to keep things old-school? There’s even an aux-in for an Ipod, or any other device.
Want to use your device’s smart assistant to change the song or artist without getting out of the water? Simply press the ECOtalk button to activate your phone’s voice commands. Lastly, if you’re still worried this Bluetooth speaker won’t quite be loud enough for you and your guests, you can pair a second one to it to maximize the sound output, and create a surround sound effect by placing them in different spots around your dock!
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Pyle 5.25” 2-way Weatherproof Speakers
Weatherproof is a good quality for a dock speaker to have. But that being said, you need a little more than that to handle what’s in store for those poor speakers. These mountable speakers are a great example of what a classic marine grade construction speaker looks like.
Buy on AmazonThat being said, they’re all that without a ton of wiring! In this case, all you’re up against is a power cord, and two cables connecting each speaker, which are easy enough to hide if you even want to bother. They can be mounted on ceilings, walls, posts and just about anywhere else you want to get some good sound.
The benefit to this mountable pair is that you can place them up high to keep the fun and conversation from cutting through your music! They’re also readily equipped with bluetooth, so there’s no need to hook them up to an external sound system.
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NUNET Tiki Torch Wall Mount Waterproof Speakers
Here we’ve got something a little different, which works particularly well if you’re not working with a very large dock! These Bluetooth speakers are multipurpose, and can be used around your dock in a few different ways.
Buy on AmazonFirst things first, they’re totally bluetooth compatible, and run off of a built-in rechargeable battery meaning these are totally wireless! You can set them up using either the included wall mounts, or a hook to hang them from something if you wish!
Where these speakers really shine is creating a relaxing and fun atmosphere in the evening. Break these lights out on your dock and enjoy the soft flickering LED lights while your favorite tunes play over the speakers. Both of them pair to each other to create a louder sound, too! The casing is completely waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about them getting splashed, either!
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DBSOARS Portable Bluetooth Speaker
A crisp sound delivered by a dual set of tweeters paired with a set of subwoofers is what makes this portable speaker a standout from the rest. It creates a rich and powerful sound that will keep your dock party rocking through to the evening. 30H of playtime should be more than enough to facilitate any of your playlists, and it’s even waterproof.
Buy on AmazonThis might just be the best outdoor speaker for a dock without any power outlets, since it doubles as a 10,000Ah power bank to charge all of your devices while you’re down by the water! That means you can keep your music close by, without having to charge your phone up at the cottage.
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JBL Charge 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
The Charge 3 is a completely waterproof speaker with built-in Bluetooth capability. For a dock speaker, it easily makes this list as one of my favorites for several reasons. As the smallest model out of the bunch it’s incredibly portable, and easy enough to take with you wherever the party goes next.
Buy on AmazonDespite its size however, this small speaker delivers a powerful and resounding stereo sound. It has 20 hours of playtime, as well as the ability to help you charge your devices on-the-go like a power bank. If you really think you need the extra volume, you can pair this up with someone else’s JBL Charge 3, and even connect up to 3 other devices to take turns playing dock party DJ!
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More Outdoor Speaker Reviews:
Thanks for checking out our guide to the best outdoor speakers for a dock! Sifting through the multitude of different models out there can be frustrating, so hopefully we’ve managed to narrow down your offerings to something a little more concise and informative. Want to leave us your best dock party stories, or some information about any of these products? Leave a comment down below to let other readers know how you feel. Don’t forget to check out our other outdoor living and patio product reviews to learn how to get the most out of your outdoor spaces!
