Best outdoor speakers: take the party to the backyard this summer

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 best outdoor speakers in 2024

Best outdoor smart speaker

(Image credit: Sonos)

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

(Image credit: Polk)

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.

Best outdoor Bluetooth speaker

(Image credit: JBL)

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 barbecue or late-night gathering), and JBL has taken 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, this is a fantastic choice.

Best outdoor speaker for parties

(Image credit: Ultimate Ears)

Outdoor speakers can be used for a variety of purposes, but one of the most popular 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 high-quality audio output, battery life, and a splashproof design.

The Hyperboom is larger than many Ultimate Ears offerings, and it also looks quite different. That's not a bad thing, as it looks a bit sleeker than you may expect, but the size of the device means that it's more suited to the backyard than camping trips. There's a built-in handle, but there are better portable speakers.

It's still water-resistant so it can withstand 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 you're not caught off-guard halfway through the night by a dead speaker.

Best looking outdoor speaker

(Image credit: Marshall)

If you're really into your music or have a retro-inspired design style, 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 three hours of use from a 20-minute charge. Ideal if you unexpectedly run out of juice just before leaving. And, speaking of heading out, high-end features have been extended to the red velvet carrying strap.

One of the coolest 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 more control over how your music sounds.

Best outdoor Bluetooth speakers system

(Image credit: Sonance)

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 covers up to 3,500 sqft so is suitable for both small and large outdoor spaces. As you'd expect the system costs slightly more than a standalone speaker but is worth the investment for those looking for something more advanced.

(Image credit: Sonos)

Choosing 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 easily.

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 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 all 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 are speakers rated as 'water-resistant', which basically means that they can withstand some 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, check out our guide to the best shower 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 10-12 ft 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. Head over to our in-depth guide for more on the ideal outdoor speaker placement.

(Image credit: Sonance)

About this guide

At Livingetc, we believe in transparency and reliability when it comes to product reviews. We have a wide team of impartial and professional testers on hand to rigorously evaluate products in order to provide our readers with reliable and trustworthy recommendations, and our goal is to provide buying guides, reviews, and shopping edits that help to improve our readers’ lives in some way.

These products range from high-end luxury goods to more affordable items that can still provide a touch of decoration and boost the sense of fun in your home. We ask our editors, writers, and freelancers to pay attention to the details of these picks, ensuring there are valuable insights that buyers can rely on beyond the product description. 

The best outdoor speakers on this list were curated by our experts based on hands-on testing in their own homes, as well as consumer feedback and online reviews. We will update the guide regularly to reflect new releases and fresh recommendations, and will always be trying new products to find the very best.