An outdoor Bluetooth speaker is a terrific companion, regardless of whether you actually enjoy listening to podcasts in the garden or are only gently encouraged to do so when your loved ones take their virtual yoga class. Perhaps you want a larger choice to roll out when hosting an outdoor gathering, or perhaps you’ve recently discovered that playing music while weeding the lawn makes the task easier. There are many outdoor speakers that we want you to be aware of if you need to listen to music outside for whatever reason.
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JBL Charge 4 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- WIRELESS BLUETOOTH STREAMING: Wirelessly connect up to 2 smartphones or...
- UP TO 20 HOURS OF PLAYTIME: Built-in rechargeable Li-ion 7500mAH battery...
- IPX7 WATERPROOF: Take Charge 4 to the beach or the pool without worrying...
The JBL Charge 4 is one of the best backpacking speaker. great value for money in wireless speakers. The Charge 4 can put out a great deal of bass that won’t overwhelm, will last forever, and can charge your phone in a pinch. If you don’t mind the bulky size of the Charge 4, it should be at the top of your shopping list.
The 3.7 x 8.6 x 3.7-inch (HWD) 2.1-pound Cylindrical Cargo 4 is available in a multitude of colors – 10 total, including mustard yellow and teal, as well as black or red custom models. than more standard. The speaker is rated IPX7, which means it has an unspecified level of protection against dust and is completely waterproof. In fact, the Charge 4 can submerge up to 1 meter for about 30 minutes, making it a perfect poolside companion, or just a great splash and rain proof option.
The front of the JBL Charge 5 is made primarily of cloth and metal grill. Underneath, the Charge 4 uses a racetrack-style driver, measures 1.9 by 3.5 inches, and offers mono sound. Passive side-activated radiators help deliver a greater sense of bass depth, and the system produces 30 watts of audio playback and a frequency range of 60 Hz to 20 kHz. Some may criticize the decision to use mono when there’s enough room for two controllers here, but you wouldn’t hear the separation dual controllers would provide unless you rest your head against the top rack. Using a single higher quality driver provides each other a better overall audio experience, even in mono.
The JBL Charge 4 also gets incredibly strong. For a medium-sized room, playing music at half volume is more than enough to fill the sound space. At maximum volume, the speaker is extremely loud for indoor use, but the extra volume is appreciated in noisy environments such as on the beach. Speaking of the beach, the speaker is IP7X rated for water resistance rating, so feel free to soak it or get it dirty. JBL claims that the Charge 4 can last 20 hours on a single charge and that we had no problem reaching that number when playing music at low or medium volumes. However, expect to lower that note for a few hours if you consistently play at a high volume.
The Charge 4 sounds excellent for a mono speaker at this price. Its solid construction is waterproof and water resistant and, despite all its production, not too big. There are other solid portable speakers in this price range – the EcoXGear EcoSlate, Bose SoundLink Color II, and Sony SRS-XB3 are all winners, and if you want to go bigger, the JBL Xtreme 2 is a true powerhouse, but it costs twice as much.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
- Sound bigger than it looks: A peak power of 2x140 watts contained in a...
- Waterproof for life's thrills and spills: Share your soundtrack on the go....
- A battery to match you: Lose yourself in the music, listen in to your...
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 resembles the natural progression of the original, where the changes are significant and subtle. Sonically, the speaker is a winner – you get the perfect Bluetooth codec playback for both AptX and AAC, and while it’s mono, there are two drivers, providing ideal clarity in bass and treble. And from a design standpoint, sleek, understated style meets a top-notch IP67 weather resistance rating.
Available in black, gray, green or pink, the Beosound A1 wireless speaker is a circular upward-facing speaker with rounded edges. Its 5.2 x 1.8-inch (HW) footprint is incredibly compact considering how much horsepower it can get, but it comes with a weight (1.2 pounds). The top panel is populated with small circular perforations in the speaker grill, one of which is inhabited by a small status LED. A brown leather strap is attached to the side panel, a nice organic touch, with a metal strap with the Bang & Olufsen logo.
The new A1 supports Qualcomm’s latest aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec and of course Alexa is built in. It would be perfectly fine to simply turn on the A1, press its Bluetooth button to pair it with your phone, and start streaming. But to get the most out of the A1 deal, you’ll want to activate Amazon Alexa. The speaker should always be within Bluetooth range of your phone or source, but since the A1 supports Bluetooth 5.1 (which claims a range of around 800ft or 240m) this shouldn’t be an issue. Thanks to the A1’s far-field microphone technology, Alexa can be activated up to five meters away and, during testing, the voice assistant never ignores us. Alexa is on the lookout, although since there’s no Wi-Fi or Chromecast on board, it can’t link streaming services; you can’t say “Alexa, play Prince on Tidal”, for example. However, say “Alexa, play Prince” and you will get a Prince-based station from the Amazon Music catalog.
Ultimately, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) delivers a pleasantly comfortable yet authoritative performance that you’ll be happy to listen to all day long. Add to that its sleek, well-made design, easy-to-use operation, and the Alexa bonus, and you’re looking for a worthwhile set of bluetooth enabled speakers.
Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
- Ultimate sound: Super portable wireless Bluetooth speaker with 360° bold,...
- Powered for adventure: rechargeable battery stays powered and pumping tunes...
- Super portable, waterproof and virtually indestructible: Ultimate Ears Boom...
The Boom 3 loudspeaker delivers punchy, powerful and immersive 360 ° sound, combined with carefully balanced bass and mids that allow you to capture every note. Virtually indestructible, this small speaker is waterproof and can be submerged up to 1 meter for 30 minutes without breaking. With intuitive controls and a rechargeable battery that offers up to 15 hours of perfect playtime, you can also use Ultimate Ears to pair with other Boom speakers and create an unforgettable sound experience. The UE Boom 3 is one of the best waterproof speakers you can buy in 2023. It’s a speaker that can be loud and won’t warp at higher volumes; be light enough to keep moving but strong enough to fall into an unprotected bag
It’s water and dust resistant and has a one-touch mixer button that lets you view your favorite playlists without lifting your smartphone. There are certainly more detailed outdoor speakers (see: Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin below), but at a relatively affordable price for everyone, the UE Boom 3 hits all the right notes for the third year in a row.
Tribit XSound Go Bluetooth Speaker
- KILLER AUDIO: With crystal highs, crisp mids and rich bass, XSound Go...
- EXTREME WATERPROOFING: Pool parties? Definitely. Lounging on the beach?...
- SLEEK & SOPHISTICATED: Tribit XSound Go is as stylish as they come. Curved...
If you believe the old adage that you get what you pay for, you may not expect much from the sound quality of the Tribit XSound Go portable speaker. Fortunately, that adage has never been less applicable: the built-in speaker gets loud enough to fill a medium-sized room, and at full volume there’s only a slight distortion in the highs.
Honestly, the Tribit XSound Go shouldn’t sound that great for the price, but it does. The speaker impresses with balanced sound, has almost no distortion at high volumes, and lasts over an incredible 20 hours of playback at medium volume. In addition, the speaker is IPX7 water and dust resistant, so it will withstand a day at the beach or pool without problems. While its design may be forgettable, you won’t mind once you hear how good the XSound Go sounds.
State-of-the-art bass radiators and dual wattage drivers deliver crisp highs, crisp mids, and punchy sounds with the Tribit XSound Go speaker, all wrapped up in a super cool look. Distortion-free (even at high volume), this waterproof speaker can take your soundtrack to the shower, pool, beach, or anywhere you can think of. The powerful lithium battery provides 24 hours of continuous playback and Bluetooth 4.2 technology connects seamlessly to all Bluetooth-enabled devices up to a range of 20 meters. You can also use your speaker to access your voice input for Siri and Google, as well as to amplify your favorite playlists on the Amazon Echo.
If you want to spend the bare minimum on a good portable Bluetooth speaker, the Tribit XSound Go is a great option. Its sound is obviously clearer and louder than almost any other budget Bluetooth speaker. The XSound Go is small enough to fit in a laptop bag or already padded suitcase, and will run for 10 and a half hours on a charge. In addition, it has an IPX7 rating, which means that it is waterproof enough to survive half an hour of soaking in 1 meter of water, and it has a speakerphone function. Tribit recently updated the XSound Go with USB-C charging and stereo pairing.
Sony SRS-XB12 Mini Bluetooth Speaker Loud Extra Bass Portable Wireless Speaker with Bluetooth
- MUSIC THAT TRAVELS: Small size but mighty in volume to deliver powerful...
- VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR: Turn your virtual happy hour party into a dance party...
- PERFECTLY PORTABLE: Use the detachable carry strap to hang, carry, or clip...
There are many of small, portable Bluetooth speakers on the market that claim to offer strong audio in a waterproof package. The Sony SRS XB12, on the other hand, is a rare example that delivers on its promises. It’s inexpensive, yet it’s totally waterproof thanks to its IP67 designation. In terms of audio, the SRS-XB12 is a powerful speaker considering its size. Those looking for very strong sound should invest in a bigger system, however if you just require a tiny speaker, the sonic output here is quite amazing.
The cylindrical SRS XB12 is available in black, blue, gray, green, or red versions, and measures about 3.7 by 3.0 inches (HW) and weighs 8.6 ounces. It’s tiny enough to slip in a bag or even a big coat with deep pockets. The speaker’s single 46mm driver is covered by a metallic grille, while the remainder of the speaker’s body has a matte rubbery feel. A passive radiator aids the driver on the inside as well. A micro USB connector for the supplied charging cable, a reset pinhole button, and a 3.5mm aux input (no cable included) all hidden under a covered panel.
The XB12 is IP67-rated, which means it can withstand immersion in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. That means you can bring the speaker with you on a day at the beach or pool without worrying about moisture damaging it. The only downside to this feature is that it makes the speaker a bit more fragile. You can’t drop it, but you should still be careful when transporting or storing. The XB12 comes with its own included charging cable and wall adapter as well as a micro USB-to-USB cable for connecting to your computer.
ULTIMATE EARS WONDERBOOM 2
- Surprisingly bigger 360 sound: Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is a wireless...
- New outdoor boost: push the outdoor boost button on this ultra portable...
- 13 hr. Battery: powering 13 whopping hours of killer sound, The long...
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 is the best budget backpacking speaker. It has a similar design to the older model, but now it’s available in bright green or purple color options. The two models are pretty much identical in terms of performance and features, with the only difference being that the Wonderboom 2 has a built-in mic.
The Wonderboom 2 has the same size and shape as its predecessor, but it’s slightly lighter (3.6 ounces) and a bit thinner (0.7 inches). The speaker is still waterproof, so you can bring it to the beach or pool without worrying about damaging it. The Wonderboom 2 comes with a charging cable and wall adapter.
Sonos Roam
- Enjoy up to 10 hours of astonishing sound with this portable speaker....
For those who prefer not to use Bluetooth but still need a quality speaker, Sonos offers several options. One such model is the Sonos Roam, which can be used both indoors and outdoors. This compact speaker comes equipped with two woofers and one tweeter, so it produces clear highs and lows without distortion. You’ll also find four high-quality drivers, including a 40 mm midrange unit and dual tweeters. There’s no battery required; instead, this speaker uses Wi-Fi connectivity to pair with your smartphone or computer.
You can control the volume level and skip tracks using touch controls located at the top of the speaker. If you’re planning on leaving home without access to power, there’s a built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery that provides up to eight hours of play time. With a range of up to 30 feet, the Sonos Roam makes it possible to enjoy music anywhere in your house.
It’s worth noting that the Sonos Roam does have some drawbacks. For starters, it doesn’t come with a remote control, meaning you won’t be able to adjust the volume levels or skip songs unless you’ve got your hands near the speaker itself. Also, because it relies on Wi-Fi connections, you may experience issues streaming content over longer distances. However, these minor inconveniences shouldn’t deter anyone interested in enjoying high-quality sound wherever they happen to be.
JBL Flip 5 Portable Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
- Wireless Bluetooth streaming
- 12 hours of playtime
- IPX7 waterproof
If all you want is a portable outdoor Bluetooth speaker that sounds as good as £100 can buy, the Flip 5 is still hard to beat. For the price, JBL’s backpack-friendly product sounds fantastic. If you don’t mind the lack of an aux-in port or built-in microphone (as with the Flip 4) or the inability to use it with previous JBL speakers (the PartyBoost function is not backwards compatible with Connect+ capable speakers, such as the JBL Charge 4), it’s a great value.
Although there is a wrist strap that fits comfortably over our hand and helps the Flip 5 feel extra-secure when we hold it, the Flip 5 manages to get away with it. Although it can be beaten in terms of battery life (at 12 hours), JBL’s fifth (and most latest) Flip clearly outperforms the competition at the price.
JBL Xtreme 3 – Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Powerful Sound and Deep Bass
- POWERFUL JBL ORIGINAL PRO SOUND: Four drivers and two JBL Bass Radiators...
- PORTABLE DESIGN: The included carrying strap with built-in bottle opener...
- 15 HOURS OF PLAYTIME: The fun doesn't have to stop. Packed with an...
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a versatile, competent wireless speaker that is equally at home chilling at home as it is at a party. Yes, it’s tough, it’s dust- and water-resistant to IP67, and you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s more concerned with the quantity of bass it produces than with musical quality at first appearance. But rest assured: from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs, the JBL Xtreme 3 proves to be a thoughtful and sensitive performer.
The healthy low-end punch on offer should satisfy bassheads, but there’s quality to be found as well as quantity. During our extensive in-house testing, the JBL Xtreme 3 received five stars across the board, never appearing to be out of its depth no matter how complex the musical arrangement.