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 £169.99 View at Selfridges 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 £249 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. 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 Prime £178.59 View at 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.
JBL Charge 3 Rugged portable speaker that loves the great outdoors Specifications Battery life: 20hr Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 8.7 x 21.3 x 8.9 Features: Bluetooth V4.1, IPX7 waterproof, power bank Power: 2 x 10W TODAY’S BEST DEALS £241.21 View at Amazon 120 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Impressive build + Clever design + Useful features + Weighty, punchy sound Reasons to avoid – Lacks a little subtlety 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 £149 View at Currys 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
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.
The 5 Best Outdoor Speakers – Fall 2021 Reviews
They come with LED lights underneath their tops that pulse to the beat of your music and add ambiance to your patio or backyard in the evening hours. They also have an incredibly long-lasting battery life of up to 60 hours, which is perfect for multiple long listening sessions spent outdoors.
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. This high rating signifies that the speaker can be submerged in a body of water – up to 1 meter – for roughly half an hour. 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 Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 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 View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Great sound quality + Speakerphone feature + IPX7 water-resistant Reasons to avoid – No 3.5mm AUX jack While it lacks a built-in voice assistant, its sound, build quality and excellent app make it a great value. 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. 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
The best Bluetooth speakers 2021: the top portable speakers for any budget
The best Bluetooth speakers in 2021 all tick three key boxes: they’re portable, durable and they offer superb audio quality in all kinds of environments. Last year, the Sonos Move was discounted by $100 / £100, and we saw lots of excellent deals on models like the JBL Flip 5 and the UE Boom 3 – so it’s well worth shopping the sales.
Save $50 – This Bluetooth speaker boasts excellent sound, a lovely water resistant shell and a powerful rubberised finish – and it’s at a great price for Black Friday. Save $20 – This cute Bluetooth speaker comes with an IPX7 water resistance rating, so you can take it in the great outdoors without a worry.
Save £6 – This tiny Bluetooth speaker sports Micro SD support and AUX capability to provide endless audio options, a 15-hour battery life, and a 66ft wireless range. Well, portable speakers that stream music from your devices via Bluetooth are a great idea if you want high quality audio at home. They’re also a solid option if you like to listen to music outside, whether that’s while you’re entertaining outdoors or working out, as well as if you like to be able to take a speaker to social events – like a party in your local park or down at the beach. Many of the best portable speakers you can buy today are multi-functional and may also feature voice assistant integration alongside audio playback.
This device can seamlessly switch from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth, integrate into a Sonos system, and it comes with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant onboard. The Sonos Roam is our pick for the best Bluetooth speaker on the planet, with 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. Its slick design means the Sonos Roam won’t look out of place in your home, while a rugged, waterproof and dustproof build and a decent battery life make it ideal for listening to music outdoors.
Sonos Move The best-sounding Bluetooth speaker Specifications Weight: 6.61 pounds (3kg) Battery life: 10 hours Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz, and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 4.2 Drivers: One down-firing tweeter, one mid-woofer, two Class-D digital amplifiers NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes (USB-C, and comes with charging dock) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 689 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Integrates with a home Sonos speaker network + Great for on-the-go tunes Reasons to avoid – Not as feature-rich when using Bluetooth – Cant be used as rear cinema speakers It’s not perfect – it’s heavy as a byproduct of its incredible sound, it’s expensive due to its rich feature set, and it sadly can’t be used as rear channels for a home cinema set-up.
This is a speaker that can get loud and not distort at higher volumes; be light enough to carry on a camping trip but remain durable enough to tumble in a bag unprotected. 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. Coming in a range of cool colors – including an eye-catching camo print – there’s now a limited Eco Edition that’s made from 90% recycled plastic, while the portable speaker’s entire packaging is biodegradable. [Update: Don’t miss our JBL Boombox 2 review – we were mightily impressed by this portable speaker’s IPX7 waterproof rating, long battery life, and distortion-free sound.]
It doesn’t quite meet the sonic dexterity of the Sonos Move, or the value for money of the UE Boom 3 and JBL Charge 4 – but if you love that Bose sound and build quality, this is the portable speaker for you. 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 Bluetooth version: N/A Weatherproofing: IPX7 Charges devices over USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Great sound quality + Speakerphone feature + IPX7 water-resistant Reasons to avoid – No 3.5mm AUX jack
UE Wonderboom 2 The best outdoor speaker gets a refresh Specifications Weight: 0.93 pounds Dimensions: 104 x 95.3mm (H x D) Battery life: Up to 13 hours Wireless range: 100 ft (33 m) Frequency response: 75 Hz – 20 kHz Drivers: two 40 mm active drivers and two 46.1mm x 65.2mm passive radiators NFC: No Bluetooth version: N/A Aux-in: No USB charging: No 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
JBL Charge 5 The best mid-range speaker Specifications Weight: 2.11 pounds Dimensions: 8.7 x 3.76 x 3.67 (W x D x H) Battery life: Up to 20 hours Wireless range: 30 ft (10 m) Frequency response: 65Hz–20kHz Drivers: N/A NFC: No Bluetooth version: 5.1 Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Crutchfield View at Walmart Reasons to buy + Balanced sound quality + Gets extremely loud + Long battery life up to 20 hours Reasons to avoid – Takes a while to charge – No more Aux jack UE Hyperboom Powerful sound for parties both big and small Specifications Weight: 13 pounds Battery life: 24 hours Wireless range: Approx. In terms of features, the Ultimate Ears app allows you to connect the Hyperboom to other UE speakers and use them together, you can switch audio source and adjust volume, and you can select four different playlists in Amazon Music, Deezer or Spotify that can be started by holding down the Play button in three seconds.
Sony SRS-XB23 A powerful canister of sound for all your outdoor adventures Specifications Weight: 1.3 pounds Battery life: Up to 12 hours Wireless range: 30 feet Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz Drivers: X-Balanced Speaker, dual passive radiators NFC: Yes Aux-in: Yes USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart View at Best Buy Reasons to buy + Good sound quality + IP67 rating (waterproof) + Stereo pairing and Party Mode Reasons to avoid – Lower peak volume In terms of performance, it can get pretty loud without a massive amount of distortion and the passive radiators help the bass to sound clearer than it has on any of Sony’s previous models. That’s because the XB23 uses Bluetooth 5 and supports three major codecs – SBC, AAC and LDAC, the latter of which you’ll find on newer Android devices and sounds absolutely great. Outdoor adventurers will love the ruggedness of this Sony Bluetooth speaker while us kick-back-and-relax folks will enjoy how snugly it fits into a lawn chair’s cup holder.
Visually near imperceptible from the original A1, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) is an appealing and highly portable Bluetooth speaker that comes with (admittedly flawed) Alexa support. Urbanista Brisbane Scandi design meets decent sound Specifications Weight: 1.5 pounds Battery life: 10 hours Wireless range: 30m (100ft) Frequency response: 80-20,000Hz Drivers: 2 x 52mm NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Great audio performance + Second speaker pairing Reasons to avoid – Could be more rugged – Boring design
Loud and rich-sounding, it’s a well-priced addition to anyone’s home, with a good battery life and the option to pair it with another Brisbane for true stereo sound. 1MORE Portable BT Speaker A luxurious Bluetooth speaker for the office and the home Specifications Weight: 268g Battery life: 12 hours Wireless range: N/A Frequency response: N/A Drivers: N/A NFC: No Aux-in: Yes USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart Reasons to buy + Great sound quality for the size + Impressive bass response at low volume Reasons to avoid – Limited IPX4 rating – Average battery life
Some portable speakers are built with durability in mind, and will feature rubberized builds to prevent damage from drops and lightweight designs to make them easy to carry around.
Of course, you can absolutely use your new portable Bluetooth speaker solely inside your home – and that means you can choose from a wider range of designs that will look great with your decor. Sonos Bluetooth speakers are great if you want to bridge the gap between indoors and outdoors, with the ability to form part of a wider multi-room system – and you can be sure that they’ll sound fantastic, too. If waterproofing is a priority then look out for models from Ultimate Ears, which combine fun, colorful designs with rugged builds – many of which can withstand a dip in the pool.
Consider high-end audio brands such as Bose and Bang & Olufsen if you want a combination of stylish design and great sound – but be prepared for relatively high prices. If you want to save money then Urbanista, Tribit, and Anker offer brilliant speakers that won’t break the bank.
The best outdoor speakers in 2021
They deliver loud, impactful audio to enjoy your favorite playlists outside, while also being portable enough to place in several locations for stereo sound from all angles. Heading into the cold winter season, you still have some time to figure out what outdoor speakers are best for your al fresco setup this coming Spring. You may even find some of our favorites as part of this year’s Best Cyber Monday deals, so bookmark the page to stay up on the latest audio product sales. Make sure to bookmark our Best Black Friday Deals page for all the latest sales on the top products from every major electronics category.
Great sound, solid craftsmanship, special features, and convenient portability are what make up the best outdoor speakers. Smart features are loaded into the Roam such as alarms, voice controls, and proprietary Automatic TruePlay that adapts sound for its environment and content. Something less expensive is the JBL Go 3, a fully waterproof alternative to the Roam that packs strong audio performance into a tiny design. The best outdoor speakers have to withstand the elements and deliver robust bass, crisp treble and full midrange with enough power to be heard over both the wind and the chatter of a party.
With a 4.5-inch mid-woofer/tweeter and a 0.8-inch tweeter inside each speaker, the Atrium 4 aptly handled both the distorted guitars of classic rock and the thumping bass of hip-hop while producing clear vocals. Sonos Roam The best outdoor speaker with an ultraportable design Specifications Drivers: Mid-woofer, tweeter Wireless: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Output: Not stated Battery: 10 hours Mounting hardware: None TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Lightweight + Extensive connectivity + Auto TruePlay sound tuning Reasons to avoid – No Bluetooth multipoint – Middling battery life Its outdoorsy credentials mainly come from even better weatherproofing: with an IP67 rating, the Sonos Roam is protected against dust ingress and can survive full submersion in water, let alone a little rain. The AW-650 speakers are built like a tank, with a UV-resistant ABS plastic polymer enclosure that’s backed by Klipsch’s lifetime warranty.
V-Moda Remix A small, but mighty outdoor speaker with a built-in amp Specifications Drivers: Glass Fiber Dual-Driver Wireless: Yes Output: 10 watts (per driver) Battery: 10 hours Mounting Hardware: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart View at Musician’s Friend 139 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Loud, balanced audio with booming bass + Stunning design + Lots of customization options Reasons to avoid – No multiroom solution – Can distort at high volume This well-built and stylish speaker delivers booming bass, warm highs, and crisp mids, plus it comes with an integrated headphone amplifier.
The current price drop should also make this an enticing purchase for those who want a mini boom box that pumps out loud sound.
Yamaha NS-AW150W Affordable and flexible outdoor speakers with good overall sound Specifications Drivers: 5-inch Polyetherimide Woofer 0.5-inch dome tweeter Wireless: No Output: 35 watts Battery: None Mounting Hardware: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield View at Walmart Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Crisp treble + Full vocals + Flexible mounting Reasons to avoid – Mediocre bass – Water resistant, not waterproof
It may be small but it’s certainly not poorly-made, earning itself the same IP67 rating as the Sonos Roam: enough for both heavy-duty waterproofing and strong protection against dirt, sand or dust ingress. The sheer affordability is another enticing factor, and we got twice the “official” 5 hours of battery life on medium volume, though for entertaining large backyard parties you may need something more powerful.
Dual LU53 Big bass on a budget Specifications Drivers: 5.3-inch woofer, 1-inch midrange driver, 0.8-inch tweeter Wireless: No Output: 60 watts Battery: None Mounting Hardware: Included TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 255 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Big bass for size + Versatile mounting options + Weather resistant Reasons to avoid – Not as crisp as competitors Although not as crisp or as detailed as the Atrium 4s, the Dual LU53’s bigger size creates a wide soundstage that can entertain the crowd at your next barbecue.
Sonos Move The most powerful outdoor smart speaker Specifications Drivers: One downward-firing tweeter, one mid-woofer Wireless: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Output: Not stated Battery: 10 hours Mounting Hardware: None TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 689 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Superb audio quality + Built-in Automatic TruePlay technology + Easy Wi-Fi-to-Bluetooth connection conversion Reasons to avoid – Pricey – No smart features in Bluetooth mode
This beefy Bluetooth speaker offers Sonos’ signature high-end soundscape on top of a 10-hour battery that should last through all of your backyard festivities.
On top of offering rich bass and crisp dialogue, the Sonos Move is one of the best outdoor speakers for folks who want smart features. The speaker supports both Alexa and Google Assistant for voice controls, and can switch from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi on the fly, making it ideal for just about any outdoor setting.
UE Megaboom 3 The best wireless Bluetooth speaker Specifications Size and Weight: 8.9 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches, 2 pounds Battery Life (Rated): 20 hours Water Resistance: Yes Maximum Sound Level: 90db Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Dell View at Walmart 23 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Big bass and full vocals + Good battery life + Can pair with older Megaboom and Boom models for stereo sound Reasons to avoid – Big and heavy for a portable – No speakerphone JBL Charge 5 An outdoor speaker that can charge your phone Specifications Size and Weight: 8.7 x 3.8 x 3.7 inches, 2.1 pounds Battery Life (Rated): 20 hours Water Resistance: Yes Maximum Sound Level: Not stated Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Crutchfield View at Walmart Reasons to buy + High sound quality + Water- and dust-proof + Long battery life Reasons to avoid – Limited app – Few extras High-grade waterproofing is combined with strong protection against dust and grit, to the Charge 5 is ideal for beach trips and pool parties. The housings of these ingeniously designed speakers are made to resemble 17-inch-high hunks of either sandstone or granite, depending on the overall aesthetic of your patio or garden.
But on the inside, Klipsch has packed these faux boulders with punch: dual 0.8-inch tweeters and a 6.5-inch woofer deliver superior sound quality, with brass that pops and bass that comes in heavy and authoritative. But if you’re willing to go the distance for maximum outdoor sound and minimal footprints around your grounds, pony up a few extra clams for these secret speakers.
This 14-inch tall speaker offers huge, balanced sound for outdoor gatherings and cookouts, and lasts for 24 hours on a charge to power your patio hangs all day and night. With easy Bluetooth pairing to any mobile device, big bass and sharp high-end, the Hyperboom is one of the best outdoor speakers you can buy for social gatherings.
If you have a small patio or mainly want music for dinner parties, a smaller set of outdoor speakers may be perfectly adequate. But if you have a large suburban backyard or want to host crowded dance parties, you may want to shop for larger speakers with more audio capacity. We also look at size and range to determine how the outdoor speaker will sound in different settings, from a large backyard to a smaller patio or deck.
The 28 Best Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers for Taking Music With You
The best outdoor Bluetooth speakers are portable, waterproof, rugged, and ergonomic, making it simple to take your music with you wherever you go, from the beach to the pool side to the cliff face. Bluetooth, launched in 1999, preserved the portable half of that equation while shifting the emphasis back to the public sphere.
We spoke to a number of experts and music professionals about the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers they bring along when they want to take the party on the road.
“They’re reliable, durable, waterproof and they sound good,” says Willie Green, a producer and engineer whose credits include Armand Hammer, the Roots, and Wiz Khalifa.
10 Best Wireless Outdoor Speakers in 2021
Some of the best outdoor speakers will benefit from developmental technology that helps to maximize the surface areas of their cones and enclosures which funnel the sound to optimal positioning and of course disperse it much more widely to counter the loss. Any people opt to set their systems in a similar manner to a home theater set-up directed at one entertaining area.
If you are really unsure think about where people are most likely to sit when they visit or where you enjoy to chill-out this will be a key area to focus the directional sound toward and you can start from there. We opened our review section with a great example from Klipsch, there are many more on the market but for just for the aesthetic benefits some companies appear to be asking rather a lot more than the price of the pairs we have compared.
The Klipsch set is a good quality 2-way class with measures in place for extending the dispersion radius as well as ample waterproofing methods. They are usually manufactured for convenience most will have an easy mount bracket with instructions the hardest part is really planning your wiring. This can be a daunting task in larger spaces but if you are methodical and have a bit of experience you should find it a relatively simple DIY job which doesn’t necessarily require a professional. For something with better audio that can actually be mounted outdoors the model from Definitive Technology is tough to top but they are pretty costly.
This system works its way up to 7 which is actually supposedly submersible for momentary periods up to a depth of around 1 meter, although we don’t suggest you try!
We have highlighted some great 2-way and 3-way class speakers which are perfectly protected for mounting outside which offer more defined audio. Finding a suitable set for you should be relatively simple if you remember it is key to plan your setup so that you know your requirements before you buy and keep all the relevant info from our buyers guide in mind. We previously selected Bluetooth Speakers below a value of $100 at the end of last year which included many models which are waterproof some of them so much so that you can sing your heart in the shower with them!
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