Are Sonos Speakers Waterproof?

A few Sonos speaker models have a waterproof rating, including the Sonos Roam and Sonos Move. But most Sonos speakers are not waterproof and should be used indoors only, or they could be damaged by water. 

My name is Donovan, and I’m a musician, producer, and audio enthusiast. I have set up many home studios and theaters over the years and have first-hand experience working with Sonos. I’ve done some research to find out if they are waterproof. 

This post will explore if Sonos speakers are waterproof. I’ll highlight the speaker models that have a waterproof rating and explain why you don’t want to get most Sonos speakers wet. I want to make sure your setup works well and avoids damage. 

Let’s get to it. 

Key Takeaways

• Most Sonos speakers are not waterproof and should be set up and used indoors only. 
• The Sonos Roam and Sonos Move are two models with a waterproof rating, meaning they can handle some water. But these speakers should not be used entirely under or in the water and are more water-resistant than waterproof.  
• Getting a non-waterproof speaker wet can cause permanent damage, and that is why you don’t want to use most Sonos speakers outside. 
• Sonos Architectural speakers are designed for outdoor use and can handle humidity and water better than indoor-use models. 

Are Sonos Speakers Waterproof?

Generally speaking, speakers and water do not mix. This is true of many electronic devices, even though there are more waterproof electronics these days than ever before. When in doubt, it’s good to assume that your speakers are not waterproof. 

That said, a few Sonos speaker models come with a waterproof rating. But this is slightly misleading because the speakers are simply water resistant and not waterproof. Sonos does not make any entirely waterproof speakers. 

There are only three models of Sonos speakers that are designed to withstand moisture at all. These are the Sonos Roam, Sonos Move, and Sonos Architectural speakers. I’ll break each model down a bit here, so you can understand how much water they can handle. 

But before I dive into the details of each, it’s important to touch on why you don’t want to throw your speakers in the pool, even if they are water-resistant. 

I once purchased a water-resistant speaker that I thought was waterproof. I was pretty excited about taking this speaker to the beach, and I happily put it in my bag with my trucks, towels, and other ocean-day gear. 

I wanted to test it out immediately when I got to the beach. So I turned up the volume and put the speaker on a floatie next to me and my friends in the water. A wave came by quickly, and the speaker got launched into the water. 

It took a few seconds for me to find the speaker bobbing in the water. I wasn’t worried because of the waterproof rating. But this changed quickly when I tried to turn the speaker back on, and nothing happened. It was broken on the first day I used it.

Take that little story as a word of warning. Even if a brand markets its speakers as being good in the water, they probably aren’t. 

Sonos Roam 

The Sonos Roam is a portable speaker designed for indoor and outdoor use. It’s a pretty solid speaker overall and is durable and reliable. It also comes with an IP67 Waterproof rating, which is relatively common for water-resistant speakers. 

The IP rating is a sort of universal waterproof system for electronics that many brands and manufacturers use to indicate how waterproof (or not) a product is. The second digit of the rating indicates water resistance. 

So the 7 in IP67 indicates how water-resistant the Sonos Roam speaker is. IP67 is a pretty solid designation that means a device can handle high precipitation and even be submerged in water for short periods. 

You can use the Sonos Roam out in the rain without worry, and it should be ok if it falls in a larger body of water. You just don’t want it to be soaking in a lake all day long, because that will damage it. 

IP67-rated devices can usually withstand a few minutes in one meter of water or less, which isn’t very long or very deep. And that also isn’t very waterproof. 

Sonos Move 

The Sonos Move is another model that comes with a waterproof rating. This one has an IP56 rating, which is less than the Sonos Roam and indicates that the Move is even less water-resistant than its speaker cousin. 

The Move can get wet but should not be submerged in water at all. The IP56 rating means it can handle getting sprayed with water but can’t handle being submerged in water. One fall into the pool could ruin this speaker, but it should be able to handle the rain. 

Sonos Architectural Speakers

Sonos Architectural speakers are the last type of Sonos speakers that can get wet. These are the most durable option for heavy outdoor use. They are designed for outdoor use and can resist water, humidity, and even salt pretty well. 

Sonos Architectural speakers come with an IP66 rating. That’s just a little less than the Sonos Roam but better than the Sonos Move. These speakers aren’t designed to get submerged, but they can handle a little rain and splashing. 

The Architectural speakers are pretty expensive, so you don’t want to mess around with getting them too wet. Water damage is no joke, even with an IP66 rating. These speakers can be used outdoors without worry but should not be placed directly in the water. 

What Happens if My Sonos Speaker Gets Wet?

If you have any Sonos speakers I just mentioned, nothing should happen if they get a little wet. The waterproof ratings the Roam, Move, and Architectural speakers are made with means they are splash resistant and ok with a bit of water. 

But if you have any other model of Sonos speaker, you don’t want to get them wet at all. Even a little moisture can damage or destroy the speakers. When a speaker gets wet, the internal components can get damaged beyond repair, and the speaker won’t work. 

Just like other types of electronics and audio equipment, water is a bad thing for most Sonos speakers. They are all built with outer shells that can protect from spills and light splashing, but a heavy soaking will likely destroy your speakers. 

Even the Sonos speakers that are a bit water resistant are not designed to be taken into the water. Re-read my story above about breaking a new speaker on the first day at the beach for a good reminder of what not to do. 

Some speakers can take a little water, and nothing will happen. But nearly all speakers will get damaged when fully submerged. If you really want to make your speakers last as long as possible, you should avoid getting them wet at all. 

Even water-resistant models will last much longer if you avoid getting them wet. Sure, they are designed to handle a bit of moisture. But that doesn’t mean that water is good for them.  

FAQs

Here are a few quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions related to if Sonos speakers are waterproof.

Can Sonos speakers get wet? 

Only a few Sonos speaker models are designed to get wet, and even these are not entirely waterproof at all. Most Sonos speakers are for indoor use only and will get severely damaged if used outside in the elements and water. 

Are Sonos One speakers waterproof?

The Sonos One speaker is not waterproof and should not be used outdoors if it’s raining. This speaker has a slight water resistance rating, making it suitable for humid environments. But it is far from waterproof and should not get wet. 

Can you put Sonos speakers outdoors? 

The Sonos Architectural speakers are the only Sonos speakers designed for strictly outdoor use. These models have a more ruggedly built design that helps them withstand water, humidity, salt, and other factors found in outdoor speaker setups. 

Are Sonos speakers weather resistant? 

There are a few Sonos speaker models that are weather resistant, but not all of them are. The Sonos Roam, Sonos Move, and Sonos Architectural speakers are all weather resistant and can handle small amounts of water and humidity. 

Can I put Sonos speaker in the bathroom? 

If you want to put a Sonos speaker in the bathroom, you should choose one of the models that has a water-resistant design. These are the Sonos Roam, Sonos Move, and Sonos Architectural speakers. All other models can get damaged by moisture and humidity. 

Can Sonos Roam go underwater? 

Even though the Sonos Roam has a waterproof rating, it really isn’t designed for underwater use. It should be ok if you accidentally drop the Roam in some water. But submerging it in deep water for longer than a few minutes will damage it. 

Final Thoughts

No Sonos speakers are entirely waterproof, even though a few models are designed to be water-resistant. You should never fully submerge your speakers because this will likely damage them beyond repair. 

If you want to purchase a water-resistant Sonos speaker, you can choose the Sonos Roam, Sonos Move, or Sonos Architectural. These all have a decent water-resistant design that can handle slight rain or splashes. Do not submerge any of these entirely underwater. 

Have you ever gotten your speakers wet? Were they OK or damaged? Let me know in the comments below.