Overview
- Jump To Details
Anker Soundcore Motion 300
Best Speaker Under $100 - Jump To Details
Sony ULT Field 7
Best Boombox - Jump To Details
Beats Pill (2024)
Best for iPhone Users - Jump To Details
Sony ULT Tower 10
Best Party Speaker - Jump To Details
Anker Soundcore Mini 3
Best Compact Speaker - Jump To Details
Anker Soundcore Boom 2
Best Affordable Boombox - Jump To Details
Bose SoundLink Flex
Best Affordable Bose Speaker - Jump To Details
JBL Flip 6
Best for Big Bass in a Small Frame - Jump To Details
Marshall Middleton
Best for Retro Style Fans - Jump To Details
Sonos Move 2
Best Portable Sonos Speaker
Heading outside for some fun? Bring your favorite tunes in the form of an outdoor-friendly Bluetooth speaker. PCMag has been reviewing Bluetooth speakers for as long as they've been around. Whether you want something compact like the Anker Soundcore Mini 3 or a party box that pushes yard-filling sound at top volumes like the Sony ULT Tower 10, we have plenty of top options to choose from. Many of these recommendations are waterproof, so they're safe for listening by the beach or at the pool. Read on for all the details, followed by everything you need to know to pick the best outdoor speaker for you.
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Anker Soundcore Motion 300
Best Speaker Under $100Why We Picked It
For under $100, the Anker Soundcore Motion 300 offers a surprisingly loud and capable stereo driver setup, a full-featured app with an adjustable EQ, and a fully waterproof IPX7 rating. It also supports the AAC and LDAC codecs in addition to SBC for higher-quality playback from Apple and Android devices. Other highlights include a clear speakerphone, rubber feet on the sides and bottom for flexible placement, and decent battery life.
Who It's For
If you want tunable stereo sound, a companion app, and a speakerphone for under $100, the Soundcore Motion 300 fits the bill. It doesn't offer the bass depth of larger models, but it still packs all the most important features of an outdoor speaker into a highly portable design.
Pros
- Impressive power for its size
- Waterproof build
- Supports the LDAC codec
- Speakerphone
- Custom EQ in app
Cons
- Digital signal processing thins out bass at top volumes
Learn MoreAnker Soundcore Motion 300 ReviewSony ULT Field 7
Best BoomboxWhy We Picked It
Sony's ULT Field 7 strikes a good balance between size and power. It delivers exceptionally strong audio with thunderous bass in a dustproof and waterproof design. Moreover, the guitar and mic inputs for karaoke, and the built-in LED lights make it great for backyard parties. Toss in features like advanced Bluetooth codecs and multiple wired and wireless inputs, and you have a winning combination.
Who It’s For
This sizable Bluetooth speaker pushes plenty of sound for your outdoor party and includes unique features that make it an excellent option for budding karaoke singers and dockside DJs alike.
Pros
- Exceptionally powerful audio with thunderous bass
- Dustproof and waterproof design
- Guitar and mic inputs for karaoke
- Built-in LED lights
Cons
- Expensive
- Lackluster companion app
Learn MoreSony ULT Field 7 ReviewBeats Pill (2024)
Best for iPhone UsersWhy We Picked It
The latest Beats Pill is a massive update over the original. It produces bright sound with rich bass and has an attractive design with a dustproof and waterproof enclosure. Features such as USB-C wired playback, support for Apple and Google's Find My Device networks, and a super-portable size make it an excellent speaker to toss in a backpack and bring wherever you go. Let's not forget it's native integration with iPhones and iPads
Who It’s For
Anyone who wants good sound in an appealing design with strong battery life and flexible playback options should check out the Beats Pill. It's especially good for iPhone users thanks to software already built into iOS.
Pros
- Bright sound with rich bass
- Attractive design
- Dustproof and waterproof
- Flexible USB-C port
- Apple and Google Find My support
- Seamless iOS compatibility
Cons
- No adjustable EQ
Learn MoreBeats Pill (2024) ReviewSony ULT Tower 10
Best Party SpeakerWhy We Picked It
The Sony ULT Tower 10 is the ultimate backyard party speaker. It might be oversized and weighty, but it provides thunderous volume levels, intense bass response, a customizable light show, and a wide variety of wired and wireless inputs for high-quality playback. For karaoke fans, it includes a wireless mic and a guitar input with adjustable gain. A dedicated app lets you dial the fun up to 11.
Who It’s For
This mega speaker is for well-heeled party people who need to fill large spaces with lots of high-quality sound and skull-thumping bass.
Pros
- Incredibly loud
- House-shaking bass
- Multiple wired inputs
- Includes wireless mic
- Supports AAC and LDAC codecs
Cons
- Expensive
- Exceptionally large and heavy
- Not waterproof
Learn MoreSony ULT Tower 10 ReviewAnker Soundcore Mini 3
Best Compact SpeakerWhy We Picked It
The waterproof and affordable Anker Soundcore Mini 3 comes in at just 3.3 by 2.8 inches (HD). It puts out a full sound despite its small size and even lets you make audio adjustments via an in-app EQ. A speakerphone function also adds value.
Who It’s For
If you don't need or want a 15-pound speaker that can rattle the walls, the 8-ounce Soundcore Mini is about as small as you can go without losing out on audio quality or features.
Pros
- Quality audio performance for the size
- Adjustable EQ
- Waterproof build
- Clear mics
Cons
- Not for those seeking booming bass
Learn MoreAnker Soundcore Mini 3 ReviewAnker Soundcore Boom 2
Best Affordable BoomboxWhy We Picked It
The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 is easy to tote thanks to its built-in handgrip. It offers palpable bass power and fun LED lighting in a waterproof, portable design. It's got a powerful companion app that includes a customizable EQ, delivers 80W of power, carries an IPX7 rating, and can last roughly 24 hours per charge.
Who It’s For
The Soundcore Boom 2 is an affordable portable outdoor speaker that gets most of the basics right, while the LED lighting adds an element of fun.
Pros
- Powerful bass response
- Cool LED lighting effects with vibrating radiators
- Clear speakerphone quality
- Customizable in-app EQ
Cons
- Plastic exterior looks a little cheap
- No onboard light controls
Learn MoreAnker Soundcore Boom 2 ReviewBose SoundLink Flex
Best Affordable Bose SpeakerWhy We Picked It
The Bose Soundlink Flex isn't a standout in any particular area, but it's certainly the best portable Bose model we've tested. It has a waterproof and dustproof frame and comes in black, white, or bluish-gray. Beneath the grille, a 60mm transducer delivers rich, clear audio with reliable clarity. The speakerphone mic works well, too.
Who It’s For
If you're loyal to Bose, the Soundlink Flex should be at the top of your list. Other speakers on this list are a better value, but we don't have much to complain about here otherwise.
Pros
- Powerful audio performance with rich bass depth and clear highs
- Fully waterproof and dust-tight design
- Solid speakerphone clarity
Cons
- Mono audio
- Sound signature not for those seeking accuracy
Learn MoreBose SoundLink Flex ReviewJBL Flip 6
Best for Big Bass in a Small FrameWhy We Picked It
JBL's Flip 6 speaker isn't as bulky as the Charge 5 or nearly as large as the Boombox 3, but it still produces surprisingly robust sound with rich lows from its weatherproof, oblong frame, thanks in part to passive bass radiators at both ends. It also comes in an attractive array of colors.
Who It’s For
If you prefer JBL speakers, but the Charge 5 and Boombox 3 are out of budget, this is an excellent near-$100 alternative.
Pros
- Powerful audio performance with robust bass
- App features adjustable EQ
- Fully waterproof and dust-tight build
Cons
- No speakerphone
- Lacks an aux input
Learn MoreJBL Flip 6 ReviewMarshall Middleton
Best for Retro Style FansWhy We Picked It
The rock-inspired Marshall Middleton Bluetooth speaker provides some impressively punchy bass and crisp highs. And despite looking the part of a guitar amp, it's still fully waterproof and dustproof. You can charge external mobile devices from its battery, and the top panel conveniently features discrete bass and treble controls.
Who It’s For
For those ready to rock (or anyone who wants to bring a bit of '70s glam to their next outdoor gathering), the Middleton is your best bet. Marshall makes an entire lineup of portable speakers, but this is our favorite for the great outdoors—it's compact and produces compelling, sculpted sound.
Pros
- Powerful audio with deep bass and bright highs
- Waterproof and dust-tight design
- Onboard and in-app bass and treble controls
- Can charge external devices
Cons
- Expensive
- Exterior easily attracts dust
- No speakerphone function
Learn MoreMarshall Middleton ReviewSonos Move 2
Best Portable Sonos SpeakerWhy We Picked It
The Sonos Move 2 is a bit of a rarity in the company's lineup—an outdoor-friendly portable speaker with Bluetooth. It's on the large side, but we like the robust sound from its dual tweeters and its ability to seamlessly integrate into an existing Sonos setup over Wi-Fi. Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control options are welcome too, even if the speaker is now missing Google Assistant support. This latest version also offers far better battery life than its predecessor.
Who It’s For
If you already have a Sonos speaker system in your home, this is an excellent addition that you can easily take with you on road trips. We're big fans of the intuitive Sonos app that makes it easy to get the best sound out of the speaker in your particular environment.
Pros
- Powerful audio output with rich bass and bright highs
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming
- Excellent Sonos app
- Hands-free Alexa and Sonos Voice Control
- Improved battery life
Cons
- Not fully waterproof
- Outdated Bluetooth specs
- Expensive
Learn MoreSonos Move 2 Review
Buying Guide: The Best Outdoor Speakers for 2024
Can You Submerge Outdoor Speakers Underwater?
Manufacturers often claim a speaker is water-resistant or waterproof, but the only true measure of protection from liquid and other potential hazards is its IP rating.
Every proper IP rating consists of either a two-digit score or an X (that acts as a placeholder) and a single digit. The first digit refers to a product's protection against solids (such as dust) and the second refers to protection against liquids. 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 depths of a meter for extended periods). When you see ratings with an X, it usually means the manufacturer didn't officially test for protection but believes the rating would be higher than zero. Most portable wireless speakers fall somewhere in the IPX5 to IPX7 range.
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. But submerging it in a pool or tub is not a wise idea without knowing the IP rating.
One quick note: Bluetooth audio doesn't transmit particularly well underwater. The benefit of a waterproof design is mostly that it can survive accidents or rough conditions.
What Size Speaker Is Best for Outdoors?
Not all portable speakers are small enough to stash in your backpack. In fact, plenty of the ones we test are relatively large and heavy; they are portable in the sense that you can carry them from your car to the campfire but we wouldn't advise hiking with them.
Obviously, size plays a role in the equation concerning how much bass response and volume a speaker can project. Don't expect a pocket-sized speaker to have much, if any, bass depth. Of course, the bass frequencies don't matter nearly as much as a powerful high-mid and high-frequency response outdoors; there aren't any walls to shake and resonate powerful bass vibrations, so sound can carry only directly through the air (which is much more the treble's forte).
How Do Speakers Sound Outside?
Portable Bluetooth speakers have come a long way in the last half-decade. Today, small speakers can pack some fairly impressive firepower. This is mostly because of the near-ubiquitous inclusion of passive radiators.
Passive bass radiators use a rubber-like material that vibrates sympathetically with the output of a powered driver—like when you place a speaker on a long wooden table and you notice the table vibrating (in effect, seemingly increasing the bass response). The vibrations often create a sense of stronger bass depth, even though these radiators don't get any power. It sounds like a gimmick that shouldn't be effective, but some manufacturers have figured out a way to make it work.
Some outdoor speakers also feature outdoor listening modes. These modes tend to dial up the treble to make up for the lack of reflective surfaces when you're 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, high frequencies, in particular, can sound dull, especially if you're not close to the speaker.
One more thing to note is whether a speaker is mono or stereo. Plenty of the Bluetooth speakers we test, especially the smaller ones, have only a single driver. Or they may have multiple drivers, but the drivers handle different frequency ranges and not left and right channels—in other words, the manufacturer decided that pumping out stronger bass matters more than stereo separation. That's not necessarily a bad approach. After all, if your left and right drivers aren't farther apart than your ears, you're not likely to hear much stereo separation. And even if you do have enough space between the drivers for stereo separation, you must still be a decent distance away from the speaker to get the full effect. Some manufacturers offer a way around this: They let you pair two units for a much wider stereo sound.
Bluetooth codecs might also be a factor for higher-end models. If you are the type that cares about bitrate (even outdoors), look for something that works with the hi-res-capable LDAC codec.
What's the Battery Life of Portable Speakers?
Many of these extra features, along with drivers that pump out big bass at high volumes, come at the cost of battery life. Just about every speaker we test uses an internal battery that you charge via a USB port or an AC power adapter.
Typical battery life for portable speakers ranges anywhere between 10 and 20 hours, depending on size and features. But keep in mind that these are estimates. Manufacturers often list a higher battery life based on the assumption that you will listen at modest volume levels. As you might expect, blasting a speaker at top volume drains the battery more quickly.
If the speaker you're considering delivers less than 10 hours of battery life, it might be worth investing in a portable battery pack to keep the party going.
How Much Should You Spend on an Outdoor Speaker?
Plenty of quality outdoor-friendly speakers cost less than $150. The top end of this price range gets you a reasonably good bass response, and, typically, stereo audio. At the lower end, you are likely to find smaller, mono speakers that struggle a bit with lower frequencies.
Below, say, $50, you're flirting with options that might not sound markedly (or at all) better than your phone. And if you're willing to reach above $150, plenty of alluring options pack far more power.
If you don't necessarily need something rugged, head to our list of the best wireless speakers overall. For budget-friendly options, check out our top picks under $100. And for more outdoor-friendly tech, see the best outdoor smart home devices we've tested.
