The best outdoor speakers let their owners bring their music outside without worrying that the weather will affect how well it works. A wireless outdoor speaker is made to withstand whatever Mother Nature can throw at it, which is different from a typical wireless speaker used inside the home. They come in different shapes and sizes, depending on what you want to use them for. For example, you might want a small speaker to keep in your bag or take on vacation, or you might want a bigger speaker for a party outside.
From weatherproof outdoor speakers to compact outdoor models, we’ve tested each of these models to see if they can withstand splashing water or light rain, and if they’re rugged enough that you can leave them outside year-round because in confined spaces, a speaker is unlikely to be running at maximum volume most of the time, unless you’re having a party. However, all that changes when you take it outside.
No one wants a garden party without music. Sound quality, durability, style and performance should all play an important role in choosing the right speaker. Whether you want to listen to a podcast in the backyard or you’re excited for your loved ones to check out their online yoga class, an portable Bluetooth speaker is the answer. Listening to music on your bike with a portable speaker is probably much safer than wearing headphones, and sticking to a playlist while sorting through the garden certainly makes that particular task easier. Below, we have mentioned some of the best outdoor speakers.
Best Outdoor Speakers
Dual Audio LU47PW 4 3-Way Indoor/Outdoor Speakers
If you only want to listen to light music in the garden and keep your investment to a minimum, you’ll like the Dual Electronics LU53PW speakers. They don’t have much bass and can sound pretty shrill when turned up loud, but they’re fine for background music, podcasts, and Internet radio.
They’re also more compact than the other non-powered models we’ve recommended, and they’re fully sealed to prevent water from getting in. The powerful studio-quality speakers can be used both indoors and outdoors without compromising the sound. The multi-purpose speakers are carefully engineered to deliver 125 watts peak power, 60 watts RMS, 4-6 ohms, and a frequency range of 70 Hz to 20 kHz for unparalleled sound.
Polk Atrium 4
Polk Audio Atrium 4 is small product that offers a great experience. These compact speakers can be very loud and the produce good sound quality anywhere. They can be placed almost anywhere, whether in the living room or by the pool.
These Polk audio speakers are an excellent choice for the outdoor sound systems. They provide excellent sound even when placed some distance away. Polk Audio Atrium 4 outdoor speakers are suitable for all weather conditions because of their rugged construction. They are very durable and can withstand extreme temperatures and heavy rain.
Sonos Roam
The Sonos Roam is our favorite portable speaker. It has powerful sound, a rugged design, great connectivity, and smart home controls. Bass-heavy audio performance makes it ideal for outdoor use, while a clever auto-switching feature ensures it can be used indoors with ease, though audiophiles may not like the overwhelming low frequencies and rhythmic handling.
The Auto True Play function, first introduced with the Sonos Move, has been expanded so that the Roam automatically adjusts its soundstage according to the environment, whether using Bluetooth or the Wi-Fi router. The Roam delivers a powerful sound performance with noticeably pronounced bass, although it lacks the rhythmic precision one would expect from an audiophile speaker.
Pohopa Bluetooth Speakers Waterproof
If you are glancing for a speaker that will blend in with your outdoor decor, the Pohopa EF-B210G is a unique pair of speakers that look like a lantern. They feature LED lights under the hood that pulse in time with the music, creating an atmospheric ambiance on your patio or in your garden during the evening hours. This means that they are protected from dust and small splashes of water for two to eight hours, so you don’t have to worry about light rain when you’re outside.
Although they’re not loud enough to fill larger crowds, there’s hardly any compression at maximum volume, so audio quality isn’t significantly affected even at maximum volume. Battery life is up to 60 hours on a single charge, which is exceptional. However, as with other outdoor-oriented speakers we’ve tested, their sound profile is quite inconsistent. Still, these lantern speakers are a great addition to your patio or garden if you’re looking for outdoor speakers that won’t stand out from your outdoor decor.
JBL Charge 5
The JBL Charge 5 is next generation of the JBL Charge 4. This portable speaker has the neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of audio content. It is also very well made and has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, certifying that it is dustproof and can be submerged in water up to one meter deep for 30 minutes.
However, as with most speakers of this size, it doesn’t get very loud and lacks deep bass, so you won’t notice a deep thump and boom when listening to bass-heavy music like EDM or hip-hop. The graphic equalizer in the accompanying app lets you adjust the sound profile to your liking, but that may not be enough to create a thudding deep bass.
Bose 251 Wall Mount Outdoor Speakers
The Bose 251 Environmental Speakers are outdoor speakers that won’t let you down. Bose understands that music isn’t just for indoors, it’s for outdoors too! That’s why they designed the Bose 251 Environmental Speakers to deliver sound that is suitable for outdoor environments and can withstand harsh weather conditions.
The Bose 251 Environmental Speakers deliver high-quality sound even in a wide sound field. The outdoor enclosure is also designed to reproduce low frequencies with less audio distortion. The weight of each Bose outdoor speaker is 8 lbs. However, when installing these Bose speakers, make sure the balance control is centered on the amplifier or receiver.
NYNE Boost
Spice up your party with the fantastic sound of the NYNE Boost wireless Bluetooth speaker. Boost delivers premium, dynamic sound at all volumes – superb response and clarity without distortion. True wireless connectivity allows you to pair an additional speaker to deliver the same premium sound to a larger room.
NYNE Boost is virtually waterproof (withstands water up to one meter deep for 30 minutes), dustproof, splashproof, shockproof and rainproof, making it perfect for parties, hikes, camping, showers, boats, beaches, pools and lakes. The rugged case makes the portable speaker ready for almost any adventure.
Dual Electronics LU43PB
The LU series from Dual Electronics is the current flagship product line for outdoor and all-weather speakers. The 43s are the entry-level model and stand out for being very affordable. Dual Electronics claims a rated power handling of 50% of the speakers’ peak power here, whereas the rated power handling of a speaker is typically 25-30% of its peak power handling.
Their studio-quality speakers can be placed in any open space, poolside, under the patio, in the garage, or on a bookshelf; regardless of placement, they deliver exceptional sound. The synchronized harmony of the 3-way component speakers and 4-inch woofer provides precise acoustic dispersion with deep, rich bass for a truly full spectrum of sound. Suitable for any season, these speakers are coated with a UV-resistant resin and housed in an ABS enclosure that protects them from the elements and preserves sound integrity.
JBL Go 3
JBL GO 3 is a compact and affordable portable speaker. It is well made and has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, certifying that it is fully dustproof and can be submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. You can attach it to your backpack with the included strap when traveling. The sound profile is fairly balanced, but lacks deep bass, which may be disappointing for music fans with intense bass. It also does not support voice assistant technology.
The JBL GO 3 is not bad for outdoor use. Since it’s battery-powered, it doesn’t need to be plugged into an outlet to work, which makes it incredibly portable. It’s also IP67 dust and waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about it getting wet or dusty when you take it outside. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get very loud and has trouble reproducing deep bass.
Yamaha NS-AW150W
The speakers use a 5-inch high-power mica-filled polypropylene woofer and a 0.5-inch PEI dome tweeter. With a sensitivity of 80 dB, they require a moderate power amplifier (35-120 W) to drive them. Most likely, the power will be between 80 and 100 W to ensure optimal reproduction at higher volumes.
The cabinets have acoustic suspension and sealing to prevent bulging bass. This is good, but you’ll have to forgive them for their overall quality if you’re used to higher quality. The speakers are magnetically shielded, so you can place them near a TV or computer without worry.
Final Words
There’s a seemingly endless supply of portable Bluetooth speakers, most of which will still work just fine after you’ve stowed them in your luggage and pulled them out for use in your hotel room. But maybe you’re looking for something to take on your next camping trip or a trip to the beach. Or maybe you want a speaker with built-in cup holders, a retractable carrying handle, and the ability to use it as a guitar amp.
We’ve tested numerous outdoor speakers that meet all of these requirements and more. The best Bluetooth outdoor speakers for most people to buy, depending on their needs. Plus, gaming speakers are guaranteed to be latency-free if you want to plug in a projector and watch a movie in the backyard. This is not the case with some wireless speakers, which can cause the sound of a movie to not match the lip movements of the actors.
