Sonos is a well-established brand known for its high-quality speakers, including those that are built-in and portable. If you’re the type to enjoy listening to music outdoors or even in the shower, you may be wondering if these speakers are waterproof.

The Sonos Move portable speaker and the Sonos Architectural Outdoor Speakers are waterproof. They can withstand intense water pressure; however, they should not be fully submerged in water. The Sonos Move charging dock is not waterproof, as well as some Sonos indoor speakers.

It’s important to know that not all waterproof speakers are created equal. There are varying degrees of waterproof-ness that are marked using an IP, or Ingress Protection, rating. Let’s look more closely at the IP ratings and features of these waterproof Sonos speakers.

Sonos Waterproof Speakers

The only speaker made by Sonos that is waterproof is the Sonos Move portable speaker. This speaker can be used indoors or outdoors and has a weatherproof rating of IP56.

The Sonos Architectural Outdoor Speakers are actually made by Sonance, but they are sold by Sonos and are compatible with Sonos Amps. They have a weatherproof rating of IP66.

Sonos Move Indoor/Outdoor Speaker

To fully understand how waterproof the Sonos Move is, it’s essential to understand its IP rating.

The first digit in the IP rating refers to the device’s resistance to dust particles; the scale for dust ingress ranges from 0 to 6. At a 5, the Sonos Move is protected against most but not all small particles, such as dust and sand.

The second digit in the IP rating is the device’s resistance to liquids, including rain. Protection from liquids is rated from 0 to 9. The Sonos Move’s moisture protection rating is a 6, which means it’s waterproof against direct, high-pressure water.

For devices to receive an IP rating, they must be tested. That means that someone sprayed a Sonos Move with high-pressure water jets, and no water entered the speaker or led to its malfunctioning. It’s not recommended to try this test at home, though!

The Sonos Move is not waterproof when fully submerged in water. However, if it accidentally falls in the water, it should be fine as long as it’s removed quickly and dried.

Sonos Architectural Outdoor Speakers by Sonance

While Sonos does not make these outdoor speakers, they are sold by Sonos and are compatible with other Sonos speakers and Sonos Amp. They come in a pack of two or can be purchased in a bundle with other Sonos speakers. However, the other speakers in the bundles are not waterproof.

Unlike the Sonos Move, these speakers are wired and made specifically for outdoor use. They are architectural speakers, which means they are meant to be installed in a wall or ceiling. An amp is required to use these speakers.

These outdoor speakers are made to withstand the following natural elements:

  • All dust and sand particlesDirect high-pressure water jetsUV raysHeatFreezing temperatures

More About Sonos Speakers

Waterproof speakers are fairly new to Sonos. Both the Sonos Move and the Outdoor Speakers by Sonance were released in 2019.

Sonos Move Features

The Move is a big deal for Sonos because it’s the first Sonos speaker that you can take with you anywhere. It’s even drop-proof. It can connect to a phone or other device using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Like many other Sonos speakers, it also has built-in voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant.

The Move is the only Sonos speaker that is battery-powered. It uses a rechargeable battery and comes with a charging dock that plugs into a standard wall outlet. The charging dock is not waterproof and should be kept inside. The speaker can last up to 10 hours when fully charged.

Sonos Indoor Speakers

Sonos offers a variety of other indoor speakers. They include home theatre speakers, architectural speakers, and speaker sets. Keep in mind that these speakers are not waterproof and are not meant for outside use.

The table below compares select Sonos speakers to help you choose the right ones for your listening needs.

Final Thoughts

The Sonos Move is Sonos’ premier waterproof speaker. It’s wireless, drop-proof, and tested to withstand intense water pressure. You can take it anywhere. If you prefer permanent outdoor speakers, the Outdoor Architectural Speakers made by Sonance and sold by Sonos are also waterproof as well as resistant to heat, cold, and UV rays. 

Waterproof smart speakers are hard to come by, let alone waterproof smart technology in general. To learn more about waterproof smart tech, check out our article on Smart Showers!