Finding The Right SUP Speakers
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Who doesn’t want to enjoy some fun in the sun on their paddle board while Sweet Home Alabama plays on a loop for the whole lake to hear? Okay, maybe not that exact song, but you get my point. Music is such an experience enhancer. It gets us going, dancing and grooving, and feeling a different kind of way. So why not combine that near-universal feeling with paddle boarding, which gives us another unique experience and type of feeling?
I’m going to tell you all about some of the best paddle board speakers available and some things you might need to know. Let’s dive in! And these are waterproof, so you can dive in with them if you want. I wouldn’t advise it, but hey, I’m not going to tell you what to do.
Personal Pick
To save you a little time, I’ll let you know that The JBL Charge 4 is easily my favorite. I’ve had one for years, and it’s gone with me just about everywhere. Camping, hiking, in the snow, on the water, in boats, on land, and of course, while paddle boarding. The sound quality and the volumes it can achieve are insane. Its design is perfect, and overall it’s just a well-made speaker ready for some hectic journeys. You can read my full review on this speaker below!
3 Great Speakers To Take On Your SUP
Here are three of my favorite speakers that you should consider taking on your paddle boarding adventures.
JBL Charge 4
Dimensions | 3.5 x 8.5 x 3.4 inches |
Weight | 2.13 lbs |
Connectivity Type | Bluetooth |
Who doesn’t know JBL? They’re such a great brand, not disappointing with their JBL Charge 4. This speaker is rugged and versatile, ready for an adventure on the open waters. The Charge 4 blends its JBL bass radiators with ease and has a proprietary-developed driver that makes that versatility a reality.
Thanks to the USB charge function, you can listen to music and charge your phone if necessary. The 7500mAh Li-ion battery, which is included in the built-in power bank, allows for 20 uninterrupted hours of music on a full charge. So you’ll never be stuck in the water with an unfinished song!
Most importantly, it’s waterproof. The design is exceptional, which is to be expected with JBL as it’s got rubber and a sturdy fabric encasing the speaker, so it’s ready not just for the water but the rough journeys just about anywhere.
Kunodi Travel Speaker
Dimensions | 4 x 3.6 x 1.8 inches |
Weight | 0.65 lbs |
Connectivity Type | Bluetooth, AUX cable |
For those more in tune with the water abilities and masters of paddle boarding, then the Kunodi Wireless travel speaker might be for you. This is a really lightweight and compact device that’s got a lot of power to it.
When you go paddle boarding, space can sometimes be rather limited, so you might want to bring a speaker along, but do you have the space? Well, the answer is not to avoid bringing along a speaker, but instead, get a Kunodi!
Thanks to its impressive build quality, the Kunodi is water-resistant and built to last. It’s even got an aluminum alloy metal carabiner to make attaching it to a D-ring or backpack easier. The battery is an 800mAh lithium battery which is extremely durable and allows for 8-hours of uninterrupted playtime.
Overall, this is a great speaker for all kinds of weather, paddle boarding adventures, and adventurers! Don’t let the strange name throw you off. It’s well worth the attention and is perfect for seasoned pros on the paddle board for any time of year.
JBL Xtreme 2
Dimensions | 7.9 x 12.1 x 18.1 inches |
Weight | 5.27 lbs |
Connectivity Type | Bluetooth |
JBL strikes again with another legendary offering in the Xtreme 2. This powerful speaker is constantly described as immersive and efficient, and let me just tell you, I couldn’t agree more. I’m a big JBL user, and this is a killer product that shouldn’t surprise anyone.
There are a ton of impressive features that the Xtreme 2 has to offer. Let’s kick it off by mentioning the four drivers and two bass radiators which are JBL too. Together, these two aspects create a symphony of sound with powerful resonance.
The battery is a built-in 10,000Ah Li-ion battery that allows for 15 hours of playtime. The music will rage on for a day in the sun, and it will be loud and clear so you can sing along. Another great feature is the eco and noise-canceling feature, which means if you’re planning on taking calls while on the water, you’re in luck.
It’s waterproof, so don’t worry, and thanks to its size, if you’ve got a paddle board drink holder, it will fit comfortably in place. JBL is by far one of the best brands for portable speakers, so you really can’t go wrong with one of their great speakers.
Buyers Guide
Not every speaker will be the one, regardless of its waterproof status. While the waterproof element of a speaker is absolutely essential, you still want a speaker with quality sound. Here are a few things you might want to consider when looking for a speaker for your SUP adventures.
- Look for a speaker with saltwater resistance if you’re spending most of your time in the ocean.
- Find a speaker that can float, especially if you’re a beginner. Of course, the last thing you want to be doing is diving for a speaker. But, depending on how deep the water is, you might be wasting your time.
- The more pro you are at paddle boarding, the more compact your speaker can be, as you’ll be able to keep it on the board a little easier than a beginner who’s prone to falling off.
- Understand your speaker to know its limits and capabilities. This is why you should read the manual and I know that sounds boring, and it is, but it’s actually necessary! So get to it.
Conclusion
There you have it, now you’ve got a guide to how you can rock out on the water while traversing the waves and currents. Of course, listening to music just makes the experience that much better, so get ready for a ton of fun as you show everyone your moves, and I’m not talking about paddle boarding!
Just be sure to check before purchasing your speaker that it is, in fact, waterproof. Imagine making that mistake and learning the hard way that you had the wrong kind of speaker! Yikes, that would suck. So pay extra attention when looking around, and get the speaker that works best for you and your needs.
If you have time for it, check out my next must have recommendation, a lock for your board!