Outdoor portable speakers are great to pack along for your next backpacking, camping, hunting, fishing, or hiking trip. Even if you just want to sit in your backyard and listen to your playlists, having a great, high quality, and portable speaker will let you listen to the music on your phone, tablet, computer, or MP3 player anywhere you want. Even though all of the best outdoor speakers in this buyer’s guide are small and compact, their sound quality can pack quite a punch, making it seem like your music is coming from an expensive speaker system.
The ten portable, best outdoor speakers on this list are the absolute best available today. No matter where you take them or what harsh environments they have to resist, all the speakers on this list are durable, compact, and have great sound quality. If you are looking for a fantastic outdoor speaker, before rushing out and purchasing the first one you find, reading the buyer’s guide and reviews below will make sure you pick the absolute best outdoor speaker for your needs.
Best Outdoor Speakers Buyer’s Guide
Technology changes all the time. Every year, electronics seemingly get smaller while adding more features and the best outdoor speakers are no different. To help separate great speakers from poor ones, the following six areas and features are all important to review before deciding on the right portable speaker for your needs.
Bluetooth
Any portable speaker needs to come with Bluetooth wireless connectivity. When out camping or just listening to music in your kitchen, you do not want to deal with the hassle of cords. Bluetooth speakers allows you to move your phone or speaker around with ease while staying connected and that alone makes it essential.
Battery
For the best outdoor speakers to be portable, they should not need a wall socket to turn on. While most portable speakers come with rechargeable batteries, a small number of less expensive speakers use AA or AAA batteries. Rechargeable batteries likely last longer than disposable batteries, making sure your music will not cut out after an hour of use.
Waterproofing
Having your speakers be waterproof is not a necessity, but depending on where you are going to want to use it, you might need it to be. If you plan to take it to the pool, beach, or anywhere near water, having it be waterproof or water resistant can save you the time and money of needing to buy a new one.
Durability
Any gear or equipment that you take outdoors, especially if you are taking it on a hike or camping trip, can be beaten up pretty badly. Accidents happen, especially outdoors. Good portable speakers should be able to resist anything you or the environment throw at it. In this respect, the best outdoor speakers should certainly be durable.
Size
If you are going outdoors or on a trip for an extended period of time, odds are you have a lot to pack anyways. You definitely do not want a speaker taking up too much room in your purse, bag, backpack, or suitcase so the best portable outdoor speaker should be about as small as, if not smaller, than a water bottle.
Sound Quality
Often people think that the bigger the speaker, the better the sound quality. While that was probably true years ago, today that is definitely not the case. Just because a speaker is tiny and compact does not mean that sound quality needs to suffer in favor of other features. Great speakers should sound great no matter what the size.
10 Best Outdoor Speakers Comparison Chart
Image | Product | Features | Price | Star Review Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() ![]() ![]() | AOMAIS Portable Waterproof Speaker | 25 watts of power Waterproof Simple physical controls Bluetooth connectivity | $$$ | 4.6 out of 5 Stars |
![]() ![]() ![]() | DOSS Touch Wireless Bluetooth Portable Speaker | rechargeable battery guarantees up to 12 hours playtime from a 3-4 hour charge with included micro USB cable Bluetooth 4.0 technology 12W full-bodied stereo | $ | 4.4 out of 5 Stars |
![]() ![]() ![]() | Polk Audio Atrium 4 Outdoor Speakers | All-weather performance Baffled design and protective grille Flexible mounting bracket Premium sound | $$$$ | 4.7 out of 5 Stars |
![]() ![]() ![]() | Bose SoundLink Color II Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker | Lithium-ion battery plays up to 10 hours on full charge Bluetooth with range Up to 30 ft Built-in speakerphone | $$$$$ | 4.6 out of 5 Stars |
![]() ![]() ![]() | JBL Pulse Outdoor Speaker with LED Lights | Bluetooth Connectivity Recharges easily via the included USB cable Programmable LED lights | $$$$$ | 4.4 out of 5 Stars |
![]() ![]() ![]() | Vtin Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker | 20W High Power Sound 25 Hours Long Battery Life from built-in 4400mah battery IPX4 Waterproof Speaker For Pool And Beach | $$ | 4.4 out of 5 Stars |
![]() ![]() ![]() | JBL Flip 3 Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker | Connect up to 3 smartphones or tablets via Bluetooth Speakerphone Connect-enabled speakers together | $$$ | 4.4 out of 5 Stars |
![]() ![]() ![]() | JBL Charge 4 | IPX7 waterproofing Bluetooth connectivity Simple control scheme Up to 20 hours of playtime | $ | 4.8 out of 5 Stars |
![]() ![]() ![]() | AOMAIS Sport II Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker | 20 watts of power IPX7 waterproofing Rubber exterior Up to 15 hours of playtime | $ | 4.5 out of 5 Stars |
Best Outdoor Speakers Reviews
AOMAIS Portable Waterproof Speaker
Here’s another great model from AOMAIS. Like the previous AOMAIS model, this one is as “lifeproof” as they come! It has a rugged housing that can withstand some wear and tear. On top of that, it’s waterproof.
The best part of this speaker is its battery. It’s equipped with a rechargeable 8,000 mAh battery. When fully juiced, it can provide playback for as long as 40 hours! Even with the long battery life, this system doesn’t sacrifice performance. It’s loud, booming, and clear.
Key Features:
- 25 watts of power
- Waterproof
- Simple physical controls
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Up to 40 hours of playtime
DOSS Touch Wireless Bluetooth Portable Speaker
The DOSS Touch Wireless Speaker is one of the bestselling portable speakers on the market today and once you hear it in action you will know why.
With superior sound quality, on board SD card slot, 12-hour battery, and the ability to make and receive calls, this speaker is great for those who just want a nice, quality speaker to use in the back yard or around the house. For those going on hikes or going out camping, there are better, more durable options.
Key Features:
- Rechargeable battery guarantees up to 12 hours playtime from a 3-4 hour charge with included micro USB cable
- Bluetooth 4.0 technology
- 12W full-bodied stereo
Polk Audio Atrium 4 Outdoor Speakers
The Polk Audio speakers are an outdoor-lovers dream. This system is meant to be a permanent solution for outdoor living spaces. Connect it to a music system to deliver impressive sound anywhere!
The speakers have 80 watts of power. Thanks to the 4.5-inch driver and 0.75-inch tweeter, the music sounds crisp and clear no matter what.
The speakers are robust, too. The all-weather design protects it from damage without sacrificing style or performance capabilities. It’s a fantastic choice for anyone looking to extend entertaining space to the great outdoors.
Key Features:
- 80 watts of power
- All-weather performance
- Baffled design and protective grille
- Flexible mounting bracket
- Premium sound
Bose SoundLink Color II Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker
Bose speakers are renowned for being the best quality speakers you can buy and the SoundLink II speaker is no different. This portable speaker offers the highest quality sound among any other options on this list, providing sound quality similar to larger stereos.
Those wanting impeccable sound quality will struggle to find a better option. There are some downsides, however. Made completely of plastic, it is not as durable as other outdoor speakers built for more rugged outdoor activities, and it is not water resistant.
Key Features:
- Lithium-ion battery plays up to 10 hours on full charge
- Bluetooth with range Up to 30 ft
- Built-in speakerphone
JBL Pulse Outdoor Speaker with LED Lights
Another option for those throwing backyard barbeque parties or looking for a great sounding speaker to bring to the park, the JBL Pulse speaker with LED lights not only sounds as good (if not better) than expensive Bose speakers.
What allows this speaker stand out are the LED lights that can be programmed to pulse and move with the rhythm of the music. It is not the lights that make this speaker great; a solid battery, high range of sound, and good base make this a fantastic option for those who want a simple, yet stylish outdoor speaker.
Key Features:
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Recharges easily via the included USB cable
- Programmable LED lights
Vtin Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker
If you need a speaker that will last all day and take whatever beating you can give it, this one might be best for you. Built like a tank, this speaker is perfect for the adventurous type. You will not need to be afraid taking this speaker on a rock climbing trip or hike in the woods.
The only downside is that while it is water resistant, it is not waterproof making it still great to use at the pool or beach. Just do not completely submerge it in water. In addition to good sound quality and crazy good durability, the 25-hour battery life means you can literally use this all day without worrying about recharging.
Key Features:
- 20W High Power Sound
- 25 Hours Long Battery Life from built-in 4400mah battery
- IPX4 Waterproof Speaker For Pool And Beach
JBL Flip 3 Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker
With a battery that lasts approximately ten hours, the JBL Flip 3 speaker will ensure that no matter where you want to listen to your favorite playlists, you can do so uninterrupted for a long time.
Another cool feature of this model speaker is that it allows you to connect three devices to it at once, letting you or your friends and family listen to great sounding music without constantly having to connect and disconnect devices. With its superb sound quality, waterproof exterior, long lasting battery, and compact size, this is one of the best outdoor speakers available today.
Key Features:
- Connect up to 3 smartphones or tablets via Bluetooth
- Speakerphone
- Connect-enabled speakers together
JBL Charge 4
JBL’s Charge 4 is a beautifully designed speaker for music-lovers on the go. The compact pill design is perfect for quick transport in a bag or trunk. Plus, it’s conducive to the listening experience. The drivers are strategically located on both sides of the cylinder, delivering a soundbar-like experience in a much smaller footprint.
Of course, the Charge 4 is built for rough-and-tumble environments. It has an IPX7 waterproof rating and weighs a mere 2.1 pounds. On top of that, it has a high-capacity battery that allows for up to 20 hours of playtime.
Key Features:
- IPX7 waterproofing
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Simple control scheme
- Up to 20 hours of playtime
- It weighs roughly 2 pounds
AOMAIS Sport II Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
The AOMAIS Bluetooth speaker is a must-have for any outdoor enthusiast! Whether you’re trekking in rough environments or simply lounging by the pool, the Sport II speaker will keep you entertained!
It has wireless connectivity to stream your music collection from several feet away. With 20 watts of power, the sound is booming. The best part is the rugged build. The rubber exterior protects the audio components from damage after a fall or tumble. Meanwhile, the IPX7 waterproofing ensures it holds up well to splashes and inclement weather.
Key Features:
- 20 watts of power
- IPX7 waterproofing
- Rubber exterior
- Up to 15 hours of playtime
- Wireless Bluetooth connectivity
SHARKK 20
The SHARKK 20 really stands out among the other speakers on this list with two features, waterproofing, and an SD card slot. This model speaker can be completely submerged in water around three feet deep multiple times without malfunctioning, making this speaker perfect for the beach, the poll, or even just the bathroom.
Another great feature is the addition of an SD card slot so you do not have to worry about connecting your phone to the speaker’s Bluetooth. Just load up an SD card with all your music files and never worry about being straying too far away from the speaker with your phone.
No matter what you do or where you go outdoors, you do not have to resort to using your phone’s tiny speakers and easily drained battery to listen to your music library. From just relaxing on your patio to mountain climbing, no matter what outdoor adventures you have an outdoor portable speaker is perfect for you and the above buyer’s guide can help you find it.
Key Features:
- Waterproof,
- SD card slot
- Perfect for the beach
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