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 barbecues, 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 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 relaxing outside, or you can even use your own 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.
Best outdoor speakers: Quick list
The Sonos Roam is an upgrade to the Sonos Move, packed with audio power and smart features. It's lightweight, waterproof, and has 10 hours of battery life, with TruePlay tuning and seamless integration with Alexa or Google Assistant.
Polk's wall-mounted speakers blend into your outdoor space and provide weather-resistant, easy installation. Available in black or white, they offer rich sound with an 80W power capacity, perfect for decks, patios, and entertaining.
For outdoor use, consider the rugged JBL Xtreme 2 with great sound and the ability to connect up to 100 more speakers. It's waterproof, has a 15-hour battery life, and even has a built-in microphone. However, it sacrifices style for durability.
The Ultimate Ears Hyperboom is perfect for outdoor parties with its high-quality audio, splashproof design, and long battery life. It's larger than other models, but still water-resistant, and has multiple connection options.
Marshall Kilburn II is the perfect outdoor speaker for music lovers with a rugged, water-resistant design and 20-hour battery life. Amp-inspired aesthetic and classic controls for volume, treble, and bass levels make it a stylish choice.
If you're looking for a high-end audio system for your outdoor gatherings, consider the Sonance Garden 8.1. With eight satellite speakers and an in-ground subwoofer, it covers up to 3,500 sqft for even sound coverage. It's a worthy investment for audio enthusiasts.
The best outdoor speakers in 2023
Livingetc knows design. We spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, bringing only our edit of the very best to you. Find out more about how we review.
Best outdoor smart speaker
An upgrade on Sonos' previous outdoor speaker - the Sonos Move - the Roam is a smart offering that packs audio power into a small, 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 the Roam offers TruePlay tuning for iOS users. And, whether you're after the best Alexa speaker or you're a Google Assistant household, the speaker will integrate seamlessly into your smart home set-up.
Livingetc rating: 5 out of 5 stars | read our full Sonos Roam review
Best wall-mounted outdoor speakers
For those who want their outdoor sound setup to be heard and not seen, wall-mounted speakers like these from Polk may be your first thought. The pair are weather-resistant and simple to install with a mounting bracket included, and you can buy them in either black or white, depending on your existing backyard vibe.
The sound is rich and detailed, with a mineral-filled polypropylene cone driver and a 3/4" liquid-cooled silk dome tweeter, and a power handling capacity of 80W. These speakers are ideal for decks, patios, pool areas, or pretty much anywhere else and make the perfect alternative to portable Bluetooth speakers if you find yourself entertaining regularly.