Whether you genuinely love a podcast in the garden or you’re calmly nudged that way when your nearest and dearest does their online yoga class, grabbing an outdoor Bluetooth speaker is the solution. Listening to music on your bike with a portable speaker is probably a lot safer than wearing headphones, and sticking a playlist on while weeding the lawn surely eases that particular job.
Whatever necessitates your music al fresco, there are plenty of portable outdoor speakers that aren’t phased by a daily dose of mother nature. All of these relatively dinky models are great for slinging in a bag, but don’t be fooled: there are plenty of high-fidelity options if you want to really level up the sound quality outside.
JBL Charge 5 Updated specs and subtle tweaks for JBL’s fifth-generation Charge Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 22 x 9.6 x 9.4cm Power: 30W + 10W tweeter Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v5.1, power bank, voice assistant integration Connections: USB-C, USB-A TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £159 View at Amazon £159 View at Richer Sounds £159.99 View at argos.co.uk Reasons to buy + Clearer and more detailed sound + Wider soundstage + Updated dustproofing Reasons to avoid – Nothing at this level Its predecessor carried an IPX7 rating, meaning it could handle being submerged in water to a depth of 1.5m, but the IP67-rated Charge 5 builds on that durability by also being fully dustproof.
Thanks in part to a new 10W tweeter and racetrack-shaped driver, the Charge 5 is currently as good a sound as you can get in a portable Bluetooth speaker design for under £200 ($200, AU$300). Award-winner last year – and if all you want is a portable outdoorsy Bluetooth speaker that sounds as good as £100 can buy, you’ll still be hard-pressed to better the Flip 5.
The new A1 supports Qualcomm’s latest aptX Adaptive Bluetooth 5.1 codec, there’s an IP67 rating for water and dust ingress, and Alexa is here – despite the fact that it’s Bluetooth-only. Throw in its classy, well made design, easy to use operation and the bonus of Alexa, and you’re looking at a Bluetooth speaker sequel that has very much been worth the wait. JBL Xtreme 3 JBL’s newest rugged wireless speaker serves up a sonic surprise Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 13.9 x 29.8 x 13.4cm Power: 100W Features: Bluetooth v5.1, PartyBoost for multiple connections to PartBoost enabled JBL speakers, IP67 rated Connections: 3.5mm, USB-C, USB-A out TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £279 View at Amazon £299 View at Richer Sounds £299.99 View at argos.co.uk Reasons to buy + Rugged build + Impressive detail and dynamics + Strong sense of timing Reasons to avoid – No smart features – No hands-free for phone calls Yes, it’s rugged, it’s IP67 dust- and waterproof certified and you’d be forgiven for thinking at first glance that it might be more preoccupied with the amount of bass it’s producing rather than musical quality.
The JBL Xtreme 3 gained five stars across the board during our rigorous in-house testing, never appearing out of its depth no matter how complicated the musical arrangement. The 13-hour battery life is enough for any al-fresco extravaganza, while an IP67 rating means it won’t freak out if you drop it in a pool or leave it out at the beach.
Given that it costs around £89 (and you may get it cheaper owing to its relative age), the Wonderboom 2 is still a near-perfect party speaker and ideal for outdoor excursions. JBL Charge 4 A fun and bubbly Bluetooth speaker that’s serious when it comes to sound Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 22 x 9.5 x 9.3 Power: 30W Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v4.2, power bank, voice assistant integration Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 148 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Rugged and water resistant + USB port for charging + Great sound quality Reasons to avoid – Perhaps too subtle for some
Tribit Stormbox Micro A fun and bubbly Bluetooth speaker that’s serious when it comes to sound Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 9.8 x 9.8 x 3.5cm Power: 9W Features: water/dustproof, Bluetooth 5.0, stereo-pairing mode Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £42.99 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Mature, musical sound + Surprisingly weighty bass + USB-C charger Reasons to avoid – Short battery life Although a speaker of such dimensions is obviously limited in terms of bass weight, it does remarkably well; close your eyes while listening and you’ll picture a bigger product.
Take note, Ultimate Ears: a little-known brand called Tribit Audio has produced a budget belter of a Bluetooth speaker. As you might have twigged, it features a gargantuan 6000mAh battery – good for 20 hours playback and capable of charging dying smart devices via USB.
Tivoli Andiamo Stylish speaker that sounds as good as it looks Specifications Battery life: 20hr Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 5.5 x 13.5 x 5.5 Features: Bluetooth 3.0 Power: 1 x 20W full-range driver TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £184 View at Amazon £189 View at Peter Tyson 1 Amazon customer review ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Fast, agile, musical sound + Premium feel and build Reasons to avoid – Not much at this price It’s smallest speaker, the Andiamo (Italian for ‘let’s go’) makes up for its lack of frills with its sonic ability, Bang & Olufsen-esque styling and durable aluminium casing. JBL Link Portable For a great, affordable, durable home smart speaker, you’ll be hard-pushed to find a product that can match JBL’s Link Portable Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 17 x 8.8 x 8.8 Power: 20W Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v4.2, Google Assistant built-in, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, music over wi-fi Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS £139.99 View at Acer UK Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Expansive sound + Packed with features + Premium design Reasons to avoid – No JBL Connect support – Fussy over placement JBL Xtreme 2 A stylish spin on a waterproof boombox Specifications Battery life: 15hr Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 13.6 x 28.8 x 13.2 Features: Bluetooth V4.2, IPX7 waterproof, power bank Power: 2 x 20W TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £241.90 View at Amazon 8 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Clean, clear sound + Balanced bass + Solid design Reasons to avoid – Chunky proportions – No multiroom
But don’t be fooled by the “Xtreme” branding: this speaker sounds controlled and grown-up, offering crisp treble and a refined soundstage. JBL Go 3 JBL’s newest soap-sized speaker sounds good – but the finish and battery life won’t wash with today’s class leaders Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 8.8 x 7.5 x 4.1 Power: 4W Features: Water/dustproof IP67, Bluetooth 5.1 Connections: USB-C TODAY’S BEST DEALS £29.99 View at O2 Mobiles £34 View at Richer Sounds Prime £34.99 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Sensible treble + Fuller bass + More volume Reasons to avoid – Poor battery life – Not very durable finish
Best waterproof speakers 2021: the top outdoor speakers for any budget
The best outdoor waterproof speakers can protect the circuitry from splashes, rain and water-based wear such as being dropped in puddles or pools. And while we’re sure you most likely won’t be listening to your tunes underwater (although no judging from us if you do), the rating means that your speaker will be protected from sudden splashes or downpours.
While these outdoor speakers are designed with waterproofing in mind, that also means they’re incredibly robust, and impressively resistant to wear and tear. The best speakers still need to offer solid feature sets, so expect more than just build quality and safety ratings from our picks below.
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 The best portable waterproof speaker Specifications Weight: 0.93 pounds Battery life: 10 hours Wireless range: 100+ feet Frequency response: 80Hz – 20kHz Drivers: Two 40mm active drivers, two 46 x 65mm passive radiators NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Dell Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 5 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Great sound for its size + IP67 dustproof/waterproof rating + 30% better battery life than its predecessor Reasons to avoid – Restrictive soundstage for some tracks Sonos Roam The best waterproof speaker for indoors and out Specifications Weight: 0.95 pounds Battery life: 10 hours Wireless range: 100+ feet Frequency response: N/A Drivers: One tweeter, one mid-woofer NFC: Yes Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes (USB-C) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Powerful audio performance + Easily portable design Reasons to avoid – Fairly pricey compared to others on the list – Bass can be overwhelming
The Sonos Roam is our pick for the best Bluetooth speaker on the planet, and with an IP67 dust and water resistance rating, it can handle the great outdoors with ease. The mini Sonos speaker boasts a powerful sound, rugged design, excellent connectivity features, and smart home control.
A bass-heavy audio performance makes it ideal for use outdoors, while a clever Automatic Switching feature means it’s easily used indoors, too – though audiophiles may dislike the overwhelming low frequencies and rhythmic handling. JBL Flip 5 A fun, no-frills waterproof speaker Specifications Weight: 1.2 pounds Battery life: 12 hours Wireless range: N/A Frequency response: 65Hz – 20kHz Drivers: 40mm NFC: No Bluetooth version: 4.2 Aux-in: No USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon View at Sweetwater Sound Reasons to buy + Engaging, entertaining sound + Easy to use compared to others on the list Reasons to avoid – No 3.5mm input – No mic for hands-free calls JBL’s Flip 5 is a simple soul with Bluetooth-only playback and modest features, but if you desire a rugged, great-sounding portable speaker and can sacrifice voice control or hands-free call functionality, you won’t be disappointed. Anker Soundcore Flare 2 The best budget Bluetooth speaker Specifications Weight: 1.29 pounds Battery life: 12 hours Wireless range: 20m / 66ft Frequency response: N/A Drivers: Dual drivers and passive radiators NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart Reasons to buy + Great sound quality + Speakerphone feature + IPX7 water-resistant Reasons to avoid – No 3.5mm AUX jack
This is a speaker that can get loud and not distort at higher volumes; be light enough to carry on the move but remain durable enough to tumble in a bag unprotected. It’s waterproof as well as dust-proof, and has a one-touch mix button that lets you pull up your favorite playlists without needing to pick up your smartphone. There are certainly more detailed outdoor speakers out there (see: Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin down below), but at a price that’s relatively affordable to all, the UE Boom 3 hits all the right notes for the third year in a row.
Ultimate Ears Megablast The best outdoor speaker for battery life Specifications Weight: 1.93 pounds Battery life: 20 hours Wireless range: 100+ feet Frequency response: 65Hz – 20kHz Drivers: Two 2” drivers and two 2” x 4” passive radiators NFC: Yes Aux-in: Yes USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Prime Low Stock View at Amazon View at Walmart 1 Amazon customer review ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Convenient Alexa integration + Bigger sound, better battery Reasons to avoid – Expensive compared to rivals – Charging dock sold separately
Bass is stronger and richer than its smaller UE Boom 3 and Wonderboom 2 brothers, and this is the speaker for anybody who wants to really blare their music at a party. For the money, you get an outdoor speaker that sound great, is tough as nails, acts as a charger for your phone, and lasts all day.
JBL Boombox 2 The best waterproof party speaker Specifications Weight: 13 pounds Battery life: 24 hours Wireless range: N/A Frequency response: 50Hz – 20kHz Drivers: N/A NFC: N/A Aux-in: Yes USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon View at Harman Reasons to buy + Loud, distortion-free sound + IPX7 water-resistant + Great 24-hour battery life Reasons to avoid – Expensive compared to rivals – No smartphone charging It’s a hefty tag to pay for a pretty one-dimensional product, but if you need an outdoor-ready speaker for a family gathering and don’t care about hi-res audio, the JBL Boombox 2 has you covered. Tribit XSound Go This budget outdoor speaker has no right to sound this good Specifications Weight: 0.83 pounds Battery life: Up to 24 hours Wireless range: 30m or 100 ft Frequency response: 85 – 20,000 Hz Drivers: N/A NFC: No Aux-in: Yes USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Best Buy Low Stock View at Walmart 20 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Expansive sound + Excellent battery life Reasons to avoid – Mid-forward sound – Charging takes a long time compared to rivals
Thankfully, that adage has never been less applicable: the speaker gets loud enough to fill up a medium-sized room, and at full volume, there’s only a little distortion on the highs.
Plus, this outdoor speaker is IPX7 water and dust resistant so it’ll put up with a day at the beach or pool without a problem. Braven Stryde 360 A versatile, weatherproof speaker at an affordable price Specifications Weight: N/A Battery life: 12 hours Wireless range: N/A Frequency response: N/A Drivers: 2 x full range driver, 2 x passive radiator NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at invisibleSHIELD Prime View at Amazon 286 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Syncs with a second speaker + Great price-to-performance ratio Reasons to avoid – No 3.5mm aux jack – Average battery life compared to rivals
Waterproof is the better of the two, as it usually carries an IP67 rating that means it can withstand to float in around a meter of water for a half-hour before it bites the dust.
The Best Outdoor Speakers for 2021
There’s a seemingly endless supply of portable Bluetooth speakers out there, most of which will work just fine after being stowed in your luggage and pulled out for use in your hotel room. The number range for solids spans from zero (no protection) to six (dustproof), and for liquids it’s zero to eight (waterproof and submersible beyond one meter for extended time periods).
If protection against dust or sand is crucial (good for trips to the beach), you’ll want to go for a speaker that actually lists a numeral rather than an X. If a manufacturer neglects to list a speaker’s IP rating but makes a claim of a water-resistant design, you can probably assume that it can handle rain, sweat, and minor splashes, as well as a quick rinse in the sink now and then. It sounds like a gimmick that shouldn’t be effective, but some manufacturers have worked magic and manage to pump out rich bass response from fairly small speakers. These modes tend to dial up the treble to make up for the lack of reflective surfaces when you’re sitting in the middle of a field or forest. The walls in your kitchen or office do, indeed, perform a function in transmitting audio to your ears, and without them in the picture, high frequencies in particular can sound dulled, especially if you’re not terribly close to the speaker. And it’s not a bad approach—keep in mind that if your left and right drivers aren’t farther apart than your ears, you’re not likely to hear much stereo separation unless they’re angled to play off a room’s surfaces. Many of these extra features, along with drivers that pump out big bass at high volumes, come at the cost of battery life. But keep in mind these are estimates, and manufacturers will often list a higher battery life based on the assumption that you’ll be listening at modest volume levels. You can argue that, beyond a strong IP rating and solid audio performance, a quality outdoor speaker needn’t have a bunch of extra features. Plenty of outdoor speakers have a threaded screw mount for tripods, or for attaching to bikes or action camera gear, for instance.
The top end of this price range will get you reasonably good bass response, and typically, the speaker will be able to transmit stereo audio. The lower end of this price range will usually feature smaller speakers, often mono, and few of them will have much low-end response to offer.
Best (and Biggest) Portable Speakers for Tailgating
Here’s a selection of wireless and Bluetooth speakers that can fill the great outdoors with music, your team’s pregame show, or even the dulcet baritone of NFL Films legend John Facenda.
The 5 Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers 2021
Portable Bluetooth speakers are the easiest, most affordable way to spread the sound from your phone or tablet across a room, backyard, or beach blanket. With clear vocal reproduction and a decent amount of bass for its size, it offers satisfying sound for a small area, such as across a picnic table or a couple of lounge chairs on a patio.
It has an IP67 rating and is one of the most rugged Bluetooth speakers we’ve tested, able to survive a 5-foot drop and a dunking in 1 meter of water—but because it floats, it’ll probably never dive that deep.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a great choice if you want a Bluetooth speaker that sounds bigger and bolder than our top pick yet is still portable enough to take to the beach or the tailgate. This speaker is built for adventure: The IP67 rating means it’s waterproof and dustproof, the strong carrying strap makes it easy to lug along anywhere, and in our testing the Xtreme 3 ran for 17 hours on one charge. If you need something that sounds a little louder and fuller than the UE Wonderboom 2 but is more portable and affordable than the JBL Xtreme 3, the Sony SRS-XB33 finds a nice middle ground.
Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker For Outdoors 2021
JBL also makes a slew of different color options to pick from, so you don’t have to worry about going with the same dull, old, black. JBL also includes Connect+, which allows you to pair the Charge 4 with up to 100 different compatible speakers for the ultimate sound experience.
Best Overall Water-Resistant Bluetooth Speaker JBL Charge 4 Take it anywhere, and it lasts all day The JBL Charge 4 is fantastic with its 20 hours of battery life, multiple color options, and improved bass radiators.
The downside here is that while Ultimate Ears does a fantastic job when it comes to sound, it still lags a bit in other areas.
Pair up to 150 compatible speakers for stereo sound Cons: 15-hour battery life Best Water-Resistant Bluetooth Speaker for Parties Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Perfect for taking to the pool since it floats with you With the Ultimate Ears Boom 3, you will get fantastic sound in a sleek package, and it even floats for those pool parties.
Bose is an industry-leader in speakers, headphones, sound systems, and more, and it’s for a good reason. The Revolve+ offers 360 degrees of sound, and the built-in acoustic deflector ensures that the music is spread out evenly.
The accompanying Bose Connect app makes it easy to switch between Bluetooth devices with ease. There is even Google Assistant support with the hardware button found on the top of the speaker. The case itself opens up and includes an internal storage compartment so you can take the DemerBox with you on a lazy river. There is even a built-in USB port that allows you to keep your phone charged up while the music is playing.
It has a handle and only weighs 5.4 pounds, so it’s decently portable, but there are way lighter and smaller options. Most Rugged Water-Resistant Bluetooth Speaker DemerBox Rugged Bluetooth Speaker Pump up the music and store your valuables Not only is the DemerBox ultra-rugged, but there is even a compartment to store your valuables, and they won’t get wet.
If you’re someone who likes to spend their free time cycling or taking your mountain bike off-road, this may be the perfect Bluetooth speaker for you. Not only is it safer because it lets you do things like making calls hands-free, but you can also hear your music and the world around you since you don’t have pesky earbuds blocking out important noises.
This speaker mounts right on the handlebars for easy access and better sound delivery, and it has an FM tuner so you can listen to your favorite local radio stations. Alternatively, you can leave your phone in your pocket or pack and pop in a microSD card full of tunes to ride to your favorite cycling playlist. When the battery runs low, you can pop it off the mount and charge it for another 10 hours of riding fun. With IP67 water and dust resistance, you can take it to the pool, and don’t have to worry about keeping your phone nearby.
This speaker includes a built-in carabiner so that you can clip it to your belt loop or backpack.
JBL included IPX7 water and dust resistance so it will be able to withstand a hiking session, or if you get caught in the rain.
If you’re looking for an ultraportable, lightweight, and waterproof speaker to take with you on your mountain biking or trail running adventures, this is a great option. Just be warned if you do bring it in the shower — hang it on a hook or the showerhead because some say the included suction cup isn’t that strong.
This waterproof Bluetooth speaker has an eight-hour battery life, so you’ll need to recharge it every day or so. The 3W high-performance driver really lets the bass come through, which should help give you all the motivation you need to finish your endurance race. And if you don’t want to bring your phone along, you can store your tunes on-device through a microSD card.
While this device is great for personal use or small groups, don’t confuse it for a party speaker. If you want to host a backyard pool party, you might be better off with the larger Bose or DemerBox speakers on this list.
The 8 Best Outdoor Stereos in 2021
There’s no dearth of portable Bluetooth speakers on the market these days, and many are rugged enough to be used as outdoor stereo systems.
The Best Portable Speakers for Your Next Beach Date, Pool Party or Backyard Hang
Products featured are independently selected by our editorial team and we may earn a commission from purchases made from our links; the retailer may also receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Blasting music from your car radio is fine, but to really turn up your tunes at your next tailgate, you’ll want to pick up a portable Bluetooth speaker. Whether you’re partying before a big game, hanging by the pool, going camping or just enjoying an afternoon in the backyard, the best wireless speakers on our list will get you hours of music playback in small, rugged units designed for the great outdoors. Keep in mind, the waterproofing varies depending on each speaker; some can withstand accidental sprays of water or light rain, but aren’t designed to work in a downpour. While some of the models on our list deliver up to 30 hours of playback time, keep in mind that the louder you blast your music, the more battery power it will require. We’ve rounded up some popular models online, that boast clean, crisp sound with surprisingly powerful bass and discernible mids and highs.
A grippy silicone shell makes it easy to pick up and go, while the rugged, water-resistant casing is splash-proof and drop-proof so it holds up to even the most aggressive of parties — or partiers. The built-in mic picks up your voice easily; use the SoundLink as a speakerphone for calls, or pair it with your digital assistants (I.e. Siri) to read your texts, check the weather and control your tunes.
The company says the OontZ delivers a 100-foot wireless Bluetooth range, which means it’ll pair easily with your device, no matter where you are in the room.
Sports Speakers
Whether you’re relaxing at the beach or taking in the views on an adrenaline-filled hiking expedition, your Bluetooth speaker can be confidently placed beside you thanks to the non-slip rubberized base. The dual 1.8” full range drivers deliver a huge musical punch and rich bass for such a small speaker. You can place your Beosound on a rock behind you, in the middle of a circle of people, or use the strap to hang it from a tent pole and the sound performance will be equally authentic.
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