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How to Buy a Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

How to · Tech

How to Buy a Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Get a high-end speaker for the long haul by timing your purchase right and spreading the cost.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $400 before anything else
Across the 0% window $22.22/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $400 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

You want a speaker that survives pool splashes and beach sand without dying after one season. Buy a rugged, high-quality model once so you aren't replacing it every year.

Tech brands usually refresh their lineups in the spring. Wait until after the summer holidays to buy, when retailers drop prices on the previous year's stock to make room for new inventory.

Remember that the 0% window is a deadline, not free money. If you have a balance left when the 18 months are up, the card will start charging interest on whatever remains.

The steps

  1. 01

    Set your price alert

    Use a site like CamelCamelCamel to track the $400 speaker. Wait for that post-summer dip before you pull the trigger.

  2. 02

    Check the specs

    Look for an IPX7 or IPX8 rating. This means it can actually handle being submerged in water, not just a light drizzle.

  3. 03

    Use the right card

    If you decide to pay over time, the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card offers 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This lets you break your $400 purchase into manageable payments of $22.22 per month.

  4. 04

    Automate the math

    Set up an auto-pay for your monthly amount. If you send $22.22 every month, you will own the speaker outright by the end of the 18-month window.

  5. 05

    Test the battery

    Once it arrives, charge it fully and play it at high volume to ensure the battery holds a charge. Return it immediately if it drains too fast.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Is a waterproof speaker actually safe to drop in a pool?

Check the specific IP rating. IPX7 means it can survive short dips, but don't leave it at the bottom of the deep end for hours.

Why do speakers get cheaper in the fall?

Stores want to clear out older tech to make shelf space for the holiday shopping season and newer models. It is the best time to find a deal.

What happens if I miss a payment?

Missing a payment can end your 0% deal and trigger penalty fees. Always set up an automatic transfer so you never forget.

Should I buy the newest model?

Usually, no. Bluetooth tech doesn't change that fast, and the previous year's model will have 95% of the same features for much less money.