Ivation IVA-400 Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Shower Speaker and Handsfree Speakerphone for All Bluetooth Devices, White

I like to listen to music and audio books in the shower. While years ago, my music was on an old iPod or MP3 player, now my audio content is on a smartphone or other device that supports Bluetooth.This product makes listening in the shower totally easy, and the sound is clear and static-free.I used to have a Audio Unlimited ShowerPOD 900 Mhz Wireless system (also available at the time of this writing on Amazon for significantly more than this product). That has a base that lives outside the shower that you can plug any audio source into, and then that base transmits to the unit that hangs in the shower. By comparison, the Hipe is a MUCH better solution.First, the ShowerPod (at least for me) was plagued with static problems, making listening unenjoyable. Second, with the Hipe (unlike the ShowerPOD), you can actually pause a book or music with a button on the speaker unit (comes in very handy if your spouse comes into the bathroom and needs to tell you what time to pick up the kids while you are in the shower. You can pause your book & pick right back up after the conversation). Third, there's no outside the shower base to deal with. That means that you do not have to plug your media player in to the outside base every time you want to use it. As long as your media device has Bluetooth, it should be able to sync with this unit.I also tried a Skullcandy Pipe Audio Docks S7PIBZ that I set on the counter in the bathroom for a while. Yes it has an IPod dock, but it is not compatible with all IPhone cases, and Bluetooth is even more convenient than a dock. At the end of the day, it was not always loud enough to hear over the shower, and it was extra clutter on the counter.If your audio device has Bluetooth, I'd say that the Hipe is a MUCH better choice than the ShowerPod. or the Skullcandy. The fact that it is less costly is just a bonus.Other observations:1. It syncs very quickly when you turn it on. Very good.2. Mine did come with a charger, but it was just put in the outer shipping box, not the inner box. The packaging and instructions are minimal, but again, the unit itself is great.3. As of this writing, it comes in and out of stock often. I'm not sure if it is because they are selling too many or what, but I had to check back several times to get one. At this price, though, they should be selling like hotcakes.4. It's not set of high-end speakers. They sound more than good enough for its intended purpose.5. I leave my smartphone plugged in to its charger in the bedroom, and the Hipe easily synchs and plays through the wall.Update after about 4 months:I still love it, but I would offer one caution about hanging it. Here are some operational observations:I can get about a week and a half (but not two weeks) of use on a single charge. I just charge it every weekend.My shower has a ledge around the top. I originally placed the hook over the ledge. This caused the hanger to flex a little since it was not hanging directly down as it would if you hung it from the horizontal part of the pipe that connects your shower head to the wall. This worked for a while, but eventually, the hook bent too far and it fell to the floor (survived the fall with no problem, though). It just seems the hook is really only designed to be used to hang it the unit directly below something. Now that I have put it on the shower head pipe, it is staying up again.

**Update after 2 years** I have been using this item regularly for two years now and it still works. I honestly have no idea what other reviewers are talking about be a use I've never had an issue with battery life. Only using it in the shower, it lasts probably three weeks in between charges. That's assuming ~30 min of use every day or every other day. It takes a long time to fully recharge once it's dead, but I just plug it in overnight.I'm sure there are a lot of better options for waterproof Bluetooth speakers out there now that didn't exist in 2012 when I bought this, so I don't know where this stacks up now. But, I'm perfectly happy with this speaker that has worked well for me for two years.**Update after 1 year*** It has been one year since I bought this product, and it still works just as well as ever, so I'm upping it from 4 to 5 stars. I have no idea what everyone else is talking about saying their's broke quickly or stopped working, because this thing has worked relaibly for me for a year now of every day use. It's definitely worth it's price.I bought this for my husband the DJ who has a tendancy to bring expensive technology (iPhone, iPad..) into the bathroom while showering to listen to music on shuffle, then reach out of the shower with his wet hand to change songs. With this speaker, his iPhone can be all the way across the bathroom, safely out of danger from the water, and he can still sing along with Eminem while showering.I will save you the time Googling and tell you that this is the only reasonably priced Bluetooth shower speaker that has a "skip song" button on the speaker. (EDIT: This was true in 2012. Not anymore.)That's why I bought it. The sound is good and loud enough. Haven't tried the actually phone function on it, but why would you need that? "Hey! Guess where I'm calling you from. My shower!!!"When you first open the box you will need to charge it for at least 4 or 5 hours before using it. It has a USB charger, so it can be plugged in to a laptop or any USB wall charger (i.e. for a phone, iPod, etc). It only took my husband about 2 minutes to sync it to his iPhone at first, and now it automatically syncs when his iPhone is near it.Cons: It seems kind of cheaply-made, and the hook isn't very sturdy, which makes me afraid it's going to fall in the shower and shatter. It would probably be better sitting on a shelf in the shower if you have one. Also, it takes a while to charge, and doesn't come with its own wall charger, which is inconvenient.

It's an average bluetooth speaker. Sometimes the sound is very clean, and some other times the sound breaks (cuts) a lot. Whether the battery is fully charged or not. And there's only 6 meters between my laptop and this speaker. And there is a wall that separates both of them. -- I don't know if this is all bluetooth speakers or just this one. I give it a 3/5.

Sound is great!Doesn't hold much of a charge so most times i go to use its dead.Not my best Amazon purchase. I don't use this at all any more.

I bought this speaker almost 1 year ago and I came back to write a review.so after one year, this hip-400 is really working very very well.I have no problem with it at all. it works like a clock. and I use it every single day. the charge still works very very good, and it lasts me more than 10 hours on 1 charge (i did not try it longer than that, I don't need to).so thank you Ivation for putting this product on this site.all the bestSammy

A bit large for my liking. Music on it is great. However if you want to listen to a book on tape or stand up comedy, it can be really hard to hear every word.

I sent one back because it wouldn't charge. Second one came and seemed to work (though the cord had to be pulled to one side with an elastic band because it did not make good contact otherwise). Charged once, but only lasted 2 showers. Charged again, one shower. No longer charges.The power switch never actually turned it off - a dim red front light can be seen at all times. Now the LED that used to come on when it was charging does not come on when plugged in.This one is going back and I'm done with Ivation forever. Terrible product.