In this post:
- How Do Dancing Water Speakers Work?
- Are They as Good as Regular Speakers?
- What to Expect When Buying Dancing Water Speakers
- Why Should You Buy a Dancing Water Speaker?
- Best Dancing Water Speakers in 2024
- 1. Best Overall – beFree Color Changing LED and Dancing Water Speaker
- 2. Best Budget – Aolyty Colorful LED Water Speakers
- 3. Best for Computers – AOBOO Led Color Computer Water Speakers
- 4. Best Portable – THROLX Bluetooth Water Dancing Speaker
- 5. Best Floor-Standing – Emerson Dancing Water Light Tower Speaker System
- 6. beFree Sound LED Dancing Water Bluetooth Sound System
- 7. Best Compact – beFree Sound Bluetooth LED Dancing Water Multimedia Speakers
- Things to Consider When Buying Dancing Water Speakers
Listening to music is already one of the most amusing and relaxing things you can do but you can always make it even more interesting and fun with a light show. Speakers with built-in LED lights have been available for quite some time but some manufacturers thought that they can make the speakers even more fun. They came up with the idea to add ‘’dancing’’ water jets to the speakers with built-in LED lights and that’s how dancing water speakers were created. There’s a number of different dancing water speakers on the market but choosing the one that’s perfect for your or your kid’s room could be a headache.
How Do Dancing Water Speakers Work?
Every dancing water speaker consists of two parts – the lower part is made of hard plastic and that’s where the drivers are placed, and the second (upper) part is the part with liquid (in some cases it’s water but non-flammable oil is used more often). The upper part is usually made of transparent plastic or glass and you can look at colorful water jets through this transparent housing.
These are all the things you already know, right? The one thing that’s still a mystery is what makes the fluid ‘’dance’’. The answer is pretty simple, actually. Inside that lower part, there is also one pulse-reactive motor with magnets on the upper side. When connected to the speaker, the motor spins to the beat of the music. On the bottom of the upper part of the speaker, there’s a fan with a magnet on its bottom. When the music is played, the rotor spins and because of those two magnets (one attached to the upper end of the motor and the other attached to the bottom of the fan), rotor causes the fan to rotate as well.
As the fan is spinning, the pressure is built inside that upper part of the speaker (the part with the fluid) and it causes the fluid to jump through the nozzles. It might look to you that LED lights are placed inside the nozzles and that water jets are in contact with these lights but that’s not the case. The fluid is physically separated from the LED lights, but the lights are carefully directed towards the nozzles so it looks like they are, in fact, inside the nozzles. These lights cause water jets to look so colorful and fun. Without the lights, you would only see colorless water jets. So, what makes dancing water speakers really interesting is the combination of water jets and LED lights. That’s basically the working principle of dancing water speakers.
Are They as Good as Regular Speakers?
The short answer would be no. It’s not like it is absolutely impossible to make better dancing water speakers but the thing is that none of the audio industry leaders tried to make dancing water speaker. Most of the currently available dancing water speakers are made by some less famous manufacturers and there are many generic brands that we've never heard of. The situation with regular LED speakers is different – SONY, YAMAHA, and a bunch of others make LED spokesmen. But, when it comes to dancing water speakers, the situation is not that great. There’s a few really good speakers and the rest of them are mediocre at best. And a lot of them look alike – it’s like they are all made in the exact same factory.
If the sound quality is more important to you than mesmerizing visual effects and dancing water jets, you should know that regular and boring speakers within the same price range deliver better performance than dancing water speakers. Still, most dancing water speakers are actually really cheap, so if you want to try them, you don’t have to spend a fortune. They definitely bring more joy than any regular speaker and that’s their main advantage – dancing colorful water jets are fun to watch and you should really try these speakers if you have the opportunity.
What to Expect When Buying Dancing Water Speakers
One thing you can definitely expect is fun. They really give a new dimension to your music tracks and make them even more enjoyable. You should be prepared for bunch of the exact same models sold under different names and priced differently (the exact same speaker can be bought for $20 and for $40), so you should be methodical and careful (don’t go for the first speaker you find attractive – you might find the exact same speaker for less money if you keep searching).
One thing you can’t expect from these speakers is perfect sound quality. Let’s be realistic, for that kind of money, you can’t expect a great sound. Most of the speakers have small 3W or 6W drivers and these small drivers are not really capable of reproducing low frequencies and the sound often distorts at high volumes.
Why Should You Buy a Dancing Water Speaker?
There are a few reasons why you should buy a dancing water speaker that we can think of.
First, kids love these. If you need a cheap pair of speakers for your kid's room, dancing water speakers might be the best choice. That way, even if they break (or if your kid breaks them), you won't be stressed much. The most important thing – you will make your kid happy and there's nothing more important than that.
Second, indulge your inner child. Adult life can be so boring and if you bring a little bit of joy into your life you can make it much more fun. Dancing water speakers might be just the thing you need.
Third, any party needs some kind of light show. There are at least three speakers (speaker systems) on this list that are strong and loud enough for parties, and you should check them out.
Best Dancing Water Speakers in 2024
1. Best Overall – beFree Color Changing LED and Dancing Water Speaker
The beFree Color Changing LED and Dancing Water Speakers can connect to your computer, TV, or stereo system to add some eye-catching lights and dancing water streams to your favorite melodies. They connect wirelessly to your sound system using Bluetooth and require a USB connection for instant plug-and-play.
- beFree Sound Bluetooth speakers
- Stereo audio output
- 10" H x 3.25" W x 3.25" D
- AUX, USB, and Bluetooth modes
- Operating Temp: 32°F - 102°F
What’s in the box
The box includes two water speakers, a USB power cable, a 3.5mm audio cable, and a speaker connector. Each speaker includes six red, blue, and green LED lights and measures 10 inches in height and 3.25 inches in width and depth. Buttons for volume, powering the speakers on and off, and toggling the LED dancing water are located on the side of each speaker.
Things we like
While these speakers are designed to put on a show with your music, you always have the option of turning off the lights and dancing water displays if you’d prefer to use the speakers solely as speakers. Just press the toggle button on the side to turn off these effects on one speaker or both.
The speakers each have six water jets, so they really can move along with your music to showcase an attractive display of lights and water. If you turn the volume up, you’ll get more extreme dancing, while turning the volume down results in smaller water sprays. The water also mimics the style of your music, so if you’re trying to listen to relaxing music before bed, the water jets follow suit by becoming more rhythmic and flowy.
Things we don’t like
Don’t expect these speakers to be a high-end addition to your surround sound system. To be fair, they’re not designed for that. Their plastic casing can look somewhat cheap compared to more sophisticated speakers, but these were meant more for fun.
Along the same lines, you’re not going to get premium-quality sound from these speakers, although they do a decent job as a budget-friendly speaker pair. You’ll probably need to use them alongside a better sound system if you want to pair the best sound with this set’s fun aesthetics, especially if you’re looking for more bass.
2. Best Budget – Aolyty Colorful LED Water Speakers
As a company dedicated to LED lighting fixtures, Aolyty knows what it’s doing with these speakers. The Aolyty Colorful LED Water Speakers connect to anything compatible with a 3.5mm audio cable to coordinate its water jets and LED lights with your music. They’re powered by USB, making them easy to transport and plug in where you need them.
- Water fountain LED speakers
- Volume-controlled light display
- Clear sound with bass
- 3.5mm audio compatibility
- Stylish and giftable design
What’s in the box
You’ll get two LED water speakers, a USB power cable, and a 3.5mm audio cable — everything you need to plug the speakers in and start playing your favorite music from a stereo or computer. The front of each speaker houses the actual speakers, which are 1.3 inches in diameter, while the power and audio cables connect to the back of the speakers. Each speaker is 8.7 inches high, 5 inches wide, and 2.3 inches deep.
Things we like
This set of speakers is about the size of typical computer speakers, so they won’t take up much space on your desk if that’s what you’re using them for. And getting two speakers adds value to your purchase.
You can also buy a white-base version of these speakers for the same price, so you can choose which color scheme fits best with your setup.
Things we don’t like
Though these speakers play sound well at low volumes, you’ll likely notice a difference if you turn up the volume. Sound distortion and rattling are common at higher volume levels, although this should be expected with speakers that are more for entertainment than true audio quality. Also, depending on the type of music you play, you may need to turn the volume up to get much of a reaction from the water jets.
3. Best for Computers – AOBOO Led Color Computer Water Speakers
While the AOBOO LED Water Speakers can work with stereo systems, TVs, and smartphones, they’re mostly geared toward use with a laptop or desktop. The base of each speaker gets a bit wider at the bottom, offering a flat, sturdy surface for placing them on a computer desk. Plus, the set includes a left and right speaker, so you can enjoy surround sound at your desk.
- Water fountain LED sync
- USB-powered, portable
- 3W stereo sound
- Device compatibility
- Clear, bass-rich audio
What’s in the box
Two speakers, one USB cable, and one 3.5mm audio cable are included in the box. Each speaker is 7 inches tall and 2 inches wide. Auxiliary and USB plug ports are located in the back of the speakers.
Things we like
The rectangular shape of these speakers is sharp, and you’ll get about five inches of clear section to watch the water jets dance to your music. While there are only four water streams, they look pretty dramatic when lit with the bright LED colors housed in the speakers, and they typically respond well to the sound that travels through.
Things we don’t like
In some instances, like if you’re trying to wind down after a long day or you’re preparing to go to bed, water sounds can be soothing. However, unless you have the volume up pretty high on these speakers, you can hear the dancing water streams pretty well through your music, which can be distracting. The plastic casing on these speakers doesn’t seem to create enough of a barrier to drown out the water noise as well as other dancing water speakers.
There’s also no way to adjust the volume on these speakers; you can only do it through whatever device you’re playing sound from. That makes it difficult to fine-tune your sound.
4. Best Portable – THROLX Bluetooth Water Dancing Speaker
If you want a dancing water speaker you can tuck into a backpack and bring with you to the beach, a camping trip, or a friend’s pool party, the THROLX Bluetooth Water Dancing Speaker is it. It requires no power source, instead using a rechargeable lithium battery with up to four hours of use from one charge. Play music using the Bluetooth function, via the included 3.5mm audio cable, or from a microSD card.
- Hi-Fi sound, water fountain sync
- 600 mAh battery, 4-hour playback
- Bluetooth 5.3, TWS pairing
- Elegant acrylic and ABS design
- Ideal for gifting and events
What’s in the box
The box includes one speaker that’s 8 inches tall, 4 inches wide, and 4 inches deep — relatively small in size to bring with you wherever you need it. You’ll also get a charging cable and a 3.5mm audio cable, plus a manual to learn how to use it. Because this speaker is battery-powered, you won’t need a USB cable to connect to a power source.
You’ll find all the buttons you need to operate the speaker, including volume adjustments and a play/pause button, on the front panel. On the back, there’s a switch to toggle the water on and off or put the speaker into power-saving mode, plus the AUX and charging ports and a micro SD card slot to play music or audio from your card.
Things we like
The addition of a power-saving mode on this speaker is smart, considering that it’s made for portability and without the need for a constant power source. Switch to this mode, and you’ll get a possible two extra hours of playback for a total of up to six hours of continuous use. You can also pair this speaker with another Bluetooth speaker using the TWS function, allowing them to sync their audio playback.
Despite its small size, this speaker produces surprisingly good sound, even at high volumes.
Things we don’t like
While being small is a good feature for a portable speaker to have, some users have been a little disappointed in the size of the THROLX speaker. If you’re hoping to make a big impression on a desk or accent table, it might not be the best choice. But if you want to carry it with you, its size is probably more of a convenience than a hindrance.
5. Best Floor-Standing – Emerson Dancing Water Light Tower Speaker System
Most dancing water speakers are designed for desktop use and are smaller for this purpose. The Emerson Dancing Water Light Tower Speaker System is at least twice as tall as other dancing water speakers and has a square, sturdy base ideal for standing on the floor next to your entertainment center or being more of a focal point atop a desk or table.
- LED dancing lights sync to music
- Bluetooth wireless streaming
- Clear, powerful sound
- Portable USB-charging design
- AUX input for versatility
- Stylish, compact design
What’s in the box
Emerson’s dancing water light tower speaker measures 21.5 inches tall with a square base of 4.3 inches. While much larger than other speakers on our list, it only weighs in at just over 3 pounds. It connects to audio via an audio cable or Bluetooth. Control its main settings, like volume, power, and playback, with buttons on the front panel, or use the included remote.
In the box, you’ll get a manual, an AC power adaptor, a 3.5mm audio cable, and a remote control.
Things we like
This speaker offers the clear audio you’d expect from an Emerson product. Whether you pair it with your sound system or use it to stream music from your phone, you’ll enjoy crisp sound at all volume ranges. It’s also rechargeable via USB, so you can bring it along to a party or move it around your home with you.
Another unique feature is the built-in FM radio that you can control with the speaker’s panel buttons or the remote. Listen to your favorite stations without syncing the speaker to another radio.
Things we don’t like
While this speaker’s height makes it stand out more than others, the actual dancing water and light section is quite small, comparatively. If you’re getting it mostly for the dancing water effects, you might be disappointed. But if you want a good speaker with a bonus of eye-catching effects, it’s a great option.
6. beFree Sound LED Dancing Water Bluetooth Sound System
The beFree Sound LED Dancing Water Sound System is more of a complete package than a standalone speaker or speaker pair, making it a good addition to an entertainment room. Connect the system to your audio or music using Bluetooth or an auxiliary cable and watch as it puts on a show of lights and dancing water streams. With two speakers and a subwoofer, you can get true surround sound without losing quality at high volumes.
- 2.1 Channel system, LED water display
- Relaxation and event-ready
- 7.5" subwoofer, 5W output
- Bluetooth and AUX compatibility
- Great for entertainment and decor
What’s in the box
This package includes two 3-watt speakers and one 5-watt subwoofer. The subwoofer is the largest piece, measuring 7.5 inches tall, while the speakers are about an inch shorter and much narrower. You’ll also get an AC power cord.
Find all the controls on the front of the subwoofer, including a power button, volume controls, and a play/pause feature.
Things we like
The beFree Sound system’s aesthetics look amazing. The lights on this sound system are bright and eye-catching, especially in dim or dark rooms, and the water jets don’t need a ton of volume to reach their full height potential. And, although it’s a small speaker system, you can get a good amount of bass from the subwoofer. It won’t compare to a high-end Bose or JBL, but, like other similar speakers, it’s not supposed to. Think of this as a more affordable sound system with decent bass and fun dance party vibes.
Things we don’t like
If you’re going to shell out over $100 for a sound system to get good bass, it might be better to put your money into a different one that focuses more on sound quality than lights and dancing water. This one’s fun for parties, but it’s still a bit pricey for what it is.
Some customers also note that the cords connecting the side speakers are short, so it may be difficult to space them as far apart as you might like.
7. Best Compact – beFree Sound Bluetooth LED Dancing Water Multimedia Speakers
If you want to place your dancing water speaker on your nightstand or a small shelf, you’ll probably appreciate the narrow size of the beFree Sound Bluetooth LED Dancing Water Multimedia Speakers. They’re about 8.5 inches tall but thin enough to keep on your computer desk or add to small spaces without taking up much room.
- 12W Bluetooth speakers
- FM audio output
- 220Hz-13000Hz range
- 5 LED water jets
- USB charging, Hi-Fi amplifier
What’s in the box
Get two dancing water speakers – each the same size – a 3.5mm audio cable, and a six-foot USB cable. Use the USB cable for continuous power or to recharge the battery for wireless usage. Find all controls and connections on the back of one speaker, including a play/pause button and volume controls.
Each speaker has five water jets that sync to the beat of your music.
Things we like
These speakers are simple to set up with Bluetooth, so you don’t need to be tech-savvy to get them working. Because of their size, they can work well in a child’s room or guest room. They also don’t need to be plugged in all the time, so it’s easy to place them wherever you want without worrying about having a nearby power source (just remember to charge them every once in a while).
Things we don’t like
While the LED lights are multicolored, it seems that blue and green lights outshine the red lighting most of the time. It still creates a fun sight while playing music, but it might not be as colorful as you’d hoped. The jets also tend to only reach about half of their height potential most of the time, so you may need to crank up the volume to achieve a more eye-catching display.
Things to Consider When Buying Dancing Water Speakers
Even though dancing water speakers are relatively affordable, you shouldn’t make a hasty decision. There are at least a few things you should consider before making the purchase.
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Price
Most of the speakers on our list and on the market are, in fact, really affordable and most of them cost no more than $50. Surprisingly, there are some 2.1 systems that cost up to $200. And that’s pretty much it. Dancing water speakers are really not that expensive. If you want the best possible sound with a great light show and dancing water jets and you have enough space, you should probably go for one of those 2.1 systems. If you need a pair of speakers for your PC, you should buy one of those smaller ones and you can find a pair of small speakers for $50 or less.
Style and Colors
Dancing water speakers are available in different shapes and colors. Most of these speakers have that ordinary cuboid shape, but we like more those unusual ones. Also, not all of them have the exact same LED lights and not all of them look great in the dark. These two factors are highly subjective so you might want to see them before making the purchase.
Size
Most of the dancing water speakers are really small but there are a few bigger and more powerful models. It all depends on your room size and purpose. If you have a large room and you need something strong, you should probably buy some 2.1 system or some large floor standing speaker. If you want a pair of PC speakers or a speaker for your kid’s room, you can buy one of those smaller (and cheaper) ones.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is another important criterion. As you already know, you can’t expect some small dancing water speaker to have flat frequency response across a wide range of frequencies. That's simply unrealistic. Even those larger 2.1 systems don’t sound as good as some regular 2.1 speaker systems (the great chunk of each speaker is reserved for water jets). These are definitely not the best choice if you are an audiophile. In fact, you will probably be disappointed. Even if you are not an audiophile, there’s a chance that you won’t be happy with the sound.
This is the end of our article on the best dancing water speakers. Thanks for reading!