As we all prepare to get outside and enjoy the summer season you may, like us, be looking for ways to enhance your get-togethers with something like the best outdoor speakers. Ideal for boosting barbeques, cocktail evenings, and even lazy solo afternoons in the sun, these water-resistant and portable speakers are the perfect addition to your outdoor space.
The best outdoor speakers come in a variety of forms, whether that's as standalone wireless devices (for more of these, take a look at our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers) that can be moved from the house to the yard with ease, or wired speaker systems that are installed permanently around your outdoor space.
The examples listed below are all suitable for outdoor use, though many of them can also be used around the house, and will make creating an entertainment space in your backyard that much easier. Play music from your chosen streaming service while you relax outside, or you can even use an outdoor speaker alongside the best outdoor projectors.
Keep reading to see what we rate as the best outdoor speaker options, as well as more buying advice to help you make your choice.
The best outdoor speakers: tried and tested by us
An upgrade on Sonos' previous outdoor speaker - the Sonos Move - the Roam is a smart offering that packs a lot of audio power into a smaller, portable package. There's pretty much nothing the speaker can't do, from multi-room listening and multiple smart assistants built-in, to a lightweight design that easily fits in the palm of your hand (or a handbag).
The device has an IP67 waterproof rating and 10 hours of battery life, so is tough enough to be taken out on hikes and to the beach as well as into the garden. It also sounds brilliant, with Sonos' trademark audio smarts meaning that the Roam offers TruePlay tuning for iOS users. And, whether you're an Alexa or Google Assistant household, the speaker will integrate seamlessly into your smart home set-up.
Livingetc rating: 5 out of 5 stars | read our full review of the Sonos Roam
The best outdoor speakers: more top picks
Outdoor speakers can be used for a variety of purposes, but chief among them is for backyard parties and get-togethers. The Hyperboom speaker from Ultimate Ears has been developed to fit the bill as a centerpiece at your next shindig, with great audio output, battery life, and a splashproof design.
The Hyperboom is larger than a lot of Ultimate Ears' offerings, and it also looks quite different. That's not a bad thing, as it looks a little sleeker than you may expect, but the size of the device means that it's more suited to the backyard than it is for taking on camping trips. There's a built-in handle, but there are better portable speakers.
It's still water-resistant so can withstand any accidental spills or unpleasant weather, and there are two Bluetooth connections along with aux and optical inputs. The 24-hour battery life will also mean that you're not caught off-guard halfway through the night by a dead speaker.
The JBL Xtreme 2 is a rugged device that is much more suited to portable use than our top choice for the best outdoor speaker and delivers equally great sound with the promise that you can connect up to 100 more JBL speakers for a true surround sound system across the house and yard.
The battery life is still impressive at 15 hours (more than enough for an afternoon barbeque or late-night gathering), and JBL has gone a step further by making the Xtreme 2 completely waterproof, rather than just splash-proof. While it isn't smart, there's also a built-in microphone for taking hands-free calls.
The downside is that the speaker has a design that prioritizes resilience and audio over style. If beauty isn't a priority for you, then this is a fantastic choice.
If you're really into your music or have a retro-inspired design style, then chances are you've been lusting after one of Marshall's speakers. The Marshall Kilburn II is the brand's outdoor offering, with a more rugged, water-resistant design that still keeps the unique selling point of the amp-inspired aesthetic intact.
One charge will get you around 20 hours of playback time, which is on the higher end, and Marshall actually promises that you can get three hours of use out of a 20-minute charge. Ideal if you unexpectedly run out of juice just before heading out. And, speaking of heading out, the high-end features have been extended to the red velvet carrying strap.
One of the best things about Marshall speakers is the classic controls on top for volume, treble, and bass levels. Not only do these look great, but they give a lot more control over how your music sounds.
While most of the best outdoor speakers on this list are single-unit Bluetooth devices, the Sonance Garden 8.1 system is an entire set-up for those who like to spend a lot of time outdoors and need an audio system that's up to the task. Consisting of eight satellite speakers and an in-ground subwoofer, this is a serious piece of kit that will enhance all of your outdoor gatherings.
No matter where you place the satellite speakers, Sonance promises even sound coverage, and the system is capable of covering up to 3,500 sqft so is suitable for both smaller and larger outdoor spaces. As you'd expect the system costs a little more than a standalone speaker but would be worth the investment for those looking for something more advanced.
How to choose the best outdoor speaker
Do outdoor speakers need a receiver?
Because of the convenience factor, the majority of the best outdoor speakers listed in this guide are standalone Bluetooth devices that can be used wirelessly indoors or outdoors and moved around with ease.
For speaker systems or technology you want to keep permanently in your outdoor space (e.g. mounted to the wall), the need for a receiver may come up. Whether you require a receiver should be made clear before purchase, but generally speaking, wired speaker systems consisting of more than one device will need a central receiver placed within the vicinity - similarly to true surround sound systems for the living room.
Are outdoor speakers waterproof?
It makes sense for speakers designed for use outdoors to be waterproof since none of us can predict the weather (or the clumsiness of party guests near a pool). What you'll find most often is speakers rated as 'water-resistant', which basically means that they can withstand a little weather, a spilled glass of wine, or a splash, but won't stand up to being submerged in water. If you want something truly impervious, take a look at our guide to the best bathroom speakers.
How far apart should outdoor speakers be?
The range of your particular speakers should be laid out in the instructions, but a general rule of thumb is that they should be placed about 10-12ft apart from one another for the best results. Where you put them will depend on the space you're working with, and another benefit of portable Bluetooth speakers is that you can move them around as much as you want until you find the perfect sound.