A few weeks back someone I follow on Twitter retweeted a stranger’s ill sentiment regarding people who use wireless speakers in public places. To put it nicely, he wasn’t a fan. I don’t blame him either, because unless it’s the house DJ, I can’t stand when someone at a resort pool or private beach is blasting music with no regard for his fellow guests. As a guy who loves and owns a variety of Bluetooth speakers, I strongly believe there is a place and acceptable volume for all of them, and they should always be used with the comfort of others in mind.
But when it comes to a speaker that was designed for a solo traveler hitting a rugged trail or spending the afternoon on a truly secluded beach, that’s an entirely different story. If you’re on your own, hiking or biking trails and appreciating the natural beauty of Guadeloupe or Saint Lucia, the best tagalong you could have is a wireless, waterproof speaker that will cover tunes and, in case of emergency, a hands-free phone call. That device is the iLive Waterproof Wireless Speaker.
What Do We Love about it?
With this speaker, there isn’t one specific thing that stands out. Instead, it’s the sum of all abilities that makes this iLive device so handy and convenient. For starters, at 3.5-inches tall and 9.6 oz. it’s one the of smaller and lighter speakers I’ve tested, and yet the sound really pops. Whether enjoying some favorite songs while appreciating the beauty of nature or throwing a spontaneous private beach jam, this speaker delivers all your best bangers.
As for convenience, the simple carabiner clip easily hooks to you bag, which means it doesn’t need to take up any space in your carry-on, and it’s right there on your backpack for when you want to turn it on and enjoy some music. The rechargeable battery is limited at 2.5 hours (at full volume), but charging is also quicker than some speakers, and you probably won’t have this thing cranked to full volume anyway.
You’re also probably not going to take any phone calls when you’re wandering in a Costa Rican jungle, but it’s always nice to have a hands-free speakerphone at your disposal. Hey, maybe it’s a work call that you have to hop on while taking full advantage of the workation fad. We’re not judging.
Can It Handle the Elements?
Testing this speaker made me think of my last visit to Aruba’s Arikok National Park, and how I vowed that my next trip will include a UTV tour. I imagined how much fun and peaceful it would be to explore on my own, away from a tour group, and hike to and around the natural pool at my convenience. And I thought about my most recent efforts to take some quick pictures of the pool on a particularly choppy day and how I was so afraid of my gear getting splashed and soaked. That wouldn’t be a concern with this one.
The IPX5 rating means this little speaker can resist the kind of sprays you might experience at the natural pool, a waterfall, or really any beach on a windy day. Peace of mind is always a bonus when you’re worried about getting caught in the rain or you just spontaneously leap into the water and forget to remove your backpack. Again, we’re not judging. We’ve all been there.
