We Tested Over 3 Dozen Outdoor Speakers to Find the Best Options for Your Money (2024)

If you're looking for a permanent outdoor sound system with top-notch audio quality, we suggest investing in these wired speakers from Sonos.

Built to last with an IP (Ingress Protection) rating of IP66, these speakers are able to withstand dust and even strong jets of water, like a sudden downpour. Rachel Rothman, the Good Housekeeping Institute's chief technologist, loves that the Sonos ecosystem offers "next-level audio capabilities and seamless integration across the home." In fact, a single Sonos amp can power six total speakers, enabling you to build out your sound system over time. And by connecting to Wi-Fi, you're also able to stream music from your favorite apps as well as use voice control.

Just keep in mind that these speakers need to be mounted and require the additional purchase of an amp. We also recommend professional wired installation to set up your sound system and connect the speaker to the amp (Sonos recommends using 16ga or larger wire, rated for outdoor use). Though this setup is an investment, the higher premium you'll pay is worth it in terms of quality, durability and longevity.

When it comes to portable outdoor speakers, there's no better value than this affordable pick from Anker. It's rated IPX7, which means you can take it with you into the shower or use it by the pool without fear.

Not only do we love that it packs a powerful sound thanks to dual drivers and enhanced bass, but it also features an impressive 24-hour claimed battery life that makes it perfect for day trips to the beach or lake. Online reviewers note that it offers excellent sound quality and they appreciate its lightweight design (it's just over 13 ounces).

To start, we love that these lantern-shaped Bluetooth speakers look more like patio decorations than outdoor speakers. We also appreciate that they come with built-in LED lights, to help set the atmosphere at night.

While they don't produce quite the same high-quality sound as Bose or Sonos speakers do, they do come in a pair, which helps create a surround sound effect. And because they pair quickly to your phone via Bluetooth, they're a great choice for outdoor gatherings that just need some ambient music in the background, no complicated wiring necessary. In short, these dual speakers offer great value for money.

If you want that crisp, rich Sonos sound but aren't interested in wired installation, we think this sleek portable speaker is an excellent choice, featuring a downward-firing tweeter to capture higher frequency sounds, a mid-woofer for mid-range frequencies and two amplifiers.

You can connect to the Move via Bluetooth, but it's also Wi-Fi-enabled, meaning that as long as you're connected to a network, you can create a stereo pair by matching two Sonos speakers together for an amplified sound. It also features voice control capabilities.

"It's extremely easy to set up and I love that you can make sound changes in the app as well as use your favorite music playback service," says Elliott Lopez, the director of audio-visual services at Hearst, Good Housekeeping's parent company. While the Move includes a built-in handle for easy portability, it's not quite as convenient to transport as other options — Lopez recommends the Sonos Roam for its lightweight, compact design if you want something that's even easier to travel with.

Finally, the Move's IP56 rating means it can handle the occasional tumble as well as light rain and exposure to humidity — just don't accidentally drop it in the pool, as submersion isn't recommended.

For an outdoor speaker that you can confidently take with you to the beach or the pool without fear of water damage, the JBL Charge 5 is a great choice.

Offered in several fun colors, this 2.1-pound speaker is both rugged and extremely portable, plus we found the audio quality to be loud and clear in our tests. It has an impressive 20-hour claimed battery life, and even comes with a built-in power bank so you can charge your phone. We also appreciate its PartyBoost mode, which enables you to pair multiple JBL speakers together when it's time to — you guessed it! — throw a party.

Don't let this speaker's tiny size fool you — there's no better option to bring with you on your next camping trip or biking adventure!

While it's about half the size of most picks on our list, this speaker impressed our analysts with its loud, high-quality sound and boost feature that maximizes the sound for outdoor environments. You can also pair it with other Wonderboom speakers for an even louder, immersive experience.

With an impressively high IP67 rating, the Wonderboom is waterproof and floatable, with 14 hours of claimed battery life. According to the brand, the speaker's Bluetooth range is 131 feet, so you can also move around freely while your phone is connected without disrupting anything.

Bose speakers are renowned for their excellent audio quality, and this pick is no exception. This speaker's profound 360° sound and appealing design make it a great fit as a centerpiece during an outdoor BBQ, but it's just as great indoors, too.

A built-in handle makes it super convenient to carry around. It's also Alexa and Google Assistant compatible, and we love that it can be paired with other Bose smart speakers for stereo sound when connected to Wi-Fi.

The one caveat is that it comes with an IPX4 rating, so while it is water-resistant, you definitely don't want to leave it outside permanently.

These mid-range, dual speakers are hard-wired, so they're ideal for any patio or porch, but especially ones with awkward or tight corners, thanks to their smaller size. Like other outdoor speakers, they're built to withstand bad weather and come with a five-year warranty.

You'll need an amp and proper wire installation to power them, but once brackets are mounted, our tech pros agree that they should be quick to lock into place. While we haven't yet tested these in our Lab, online reviewers give these speakers high ratings, noting that they're a great value for the money.

When it comes to quality sound and construction, Bose speakers consistently test well in our evaluations, which justifies the higher price tags for us. While we haven't yet tested this exact pair in our Lab, if they're anything like other Bose speakers we've tried, they're sure to produce fantastic audio in any outdoor space.

Like other wired speakers, they'll need to be mounted, and you'll need to purchase an amp or a compatible receiver, as well as ensure you have the proper wires necessary for permanent installation.

While the IP rating isn't specified, according to Bose, these speakers are engineered and tested to withstand harsh conditions such as snow, rain, salt and temperature extremes.

Much like the JBL Charge 5, the portable Megaboom 3 from Ultimate Ears is entirely waterproof and can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, according to the brand. It boasts an impressive battery life, loud sound and can be paired with multiple speakers for big events.

When testing this speaker, we found that pairing it to Bluetooth took no time at all. And while we were impressed with how the speaker's sound could fill up an outdoor space, we do think the sound quality could be sharper and richer. If you want even greater sound intensity, the heftier Hyperboom is another option to consider, though it can't be left out in the rain like this model.

Our engineers and analysts have tested at least three dozen outdoor speakers in the past few years. Here's the criteria we keep in mind when testing speakers:

✔️ Ease of use: We consider how easy each speaker is to set up, pair and control music playback through the device and app, if applicable. We evaluate voice assistant commands, as well as battery life and special features like built-in microphones. We also measure the physical footprint and weight of each speaker to factor in its portability. If wired, we consider the ease of installation.

✔️ Audio quality: In our tests, we listen to various songs across different genres (everything from rock with heavy bass to classical piano music) to evaluate sound quality and we conduct frequency sweeps via YouTube video with a range of frequencies, measuring what registers at 50dB.

✔️ Weather resistance and durability: Our experts check IP ratings and perform additional in-Lab evaluations to confirm and validate water resistance. For speakers that claim to be waterproof or weather-resistant, we generally perform water-resistance tests depending upon IP ratings, including water submersion tests, rain tests and water-repellency tests. We also drop outdoor speakers multiple times to make sure they are durable enough to still function.

✔️ Wired vs. wireless: When shopping for outdoor speakers, you can either invest in a wired speaker setup or you can purchase portable Bluetooth speakers.

"Wireless speakers are easy, affordable and convenient," says author and tech expert Ryan Herd, CEO of 1 Sound Choice. "They’re great for camping, tailgating and small areas in your backyard such as around a table. But if you need more oomph or have a larger backyard, multiple wired speakers along with an amp are the way to go."

The Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Improvement and Outdoor Director Dan DiClerico agrees, saying that “if you’re creating an outdoor entertainment space for your home, it’s worth investing in a permanent wired system. These speakers deliver bigger, better sound quality, plus the continuous power means you don’t have to worry about batteries.”

Herd emphasizes that just because your speakers are wired, doesn’t mean you won’t be able to control them wirelessly; in fact, most modern audio brands sell wired speakers that allow you to control your music from your phone. But if you decide to purchase wireless speakers, keep key factors such as battery life and Bluetooth range in mind. Unlike wired speakers, your phone will have to be within a certain distance of the speaker to be able to stream music successfully via Bluetooth.

✔️ Size and placement: While wireless Bluetooth speakers might sound amazing indoors, “the outdoors is a huge environment, and to overcome that, you’ll need big speakers,” says Herd. That said, there are other metrics that are much better at indicating performance than sheer speaker size. “More than size, acoustics and positioning will also matter," says Good Housekeeping Institute Lab Assistant Nik Greenwald. "You’d be better off figuring out where you want to put your speakers, then finding a size that fits into your plan.”

If possible, Herd recommends starting with a pair of speakers with two channels and an amp. By having multiple speakers strategically placed throughout your backyard and playing at a low volume, you can achieve phenomenal sound. And by running multiple amps you can create zones throughout your entire backyard, meaning that you can have the same music playing around the patio, pool, hot tub and firepit while hosting a party, or only in the areas where your guests are.

✔️ Cost: At the end of the day, a Bluetooth speaker will be the most affordable, but DiClerico says that he’s “never met anyone who regretted going the extra distance of wired outdoor speakers." That said, professional installation is usually recommended, and it can get costly if your outdoor space isn’t already equipped with the proper wiring. "Besides running wire, you’ll need to put in an amplifier to power the speakers, so it’s a more complicated and costly project," says DiClerico.

If you don’t have the budget or aren’t ready to invest in wired outdoor speakers, Herd suggests purchasing wireless speakers that are able to be paired together for amplified sound.

✔️ Weather resistance: Opt for an outdoor speaker that’s designed to withstand the elements. One of the key factors to look out for is the speaker’s IP (Ingress Protection) rating, which will indicate how well your speaker can withstand exposure to environmental conditions such as rain, dust, wind and dirt.

The first number refers to solids (i.e., dust) and how durable the product is, while the second is for liquids (i.e., water). If you plan to leave your outdoor speaker outside all of the time, you should opt for a speaker with an IP rating of no less than IPX7, which should be sufficient to protect it from heavy rainfall. (It's also the rating that's recommended for shower speakers.) An IPX7 rating means that the speaker is waterproof based upon a submersion test of up to 1 meter in water for 30 minutes, but the X indicates no testing was done against solids.

“Solid IP ratings go up to 6, liquids up to 9," explains Rothman. "Submersion is the industry standard for testing from 7 on."

While you shouldn't be too preoccupied with wattage — which indicates how much power the speaker consumes — a good rule of thumb is to look for outdoor speakers with over 50 watts. "Often, people equate higher wattage with better or louder output," says Greenwald."But what’s really important to look for is a broad frequency range, especially in the low-end, and a high signal-to-noise ratio, which indicates how loudly your audio will play over the ‘hum’ of the speaker."

You'll also want to pay attention to your speaker's construction, including how many drivers, woofers and tweeters it's equipped with. "A woofer and tweeter are both types of transducers — machines that convert one type of energy into another, in this case, electrical to mechanical," Greenwald explains. "Woofers cover the lower portion of frequencies the human ear can cover whereas tweeters cover the higher portion. Speakers can be all-in-one, meaning that all frequencies are covered by one driver or transducer, but usually this results in a compromise in sound quality."

Most modern speakers have woofers and tweeters housed in a single component, but generally speaking, you'll need a larger driver to more faithfully recreate the low end of audio, so if you listen to a lot of bass-heavy music look for larger drivers. "There are even dedicated drivers for the lowest end of the audio spectrum, called subwoofers, that tend to be larger in order to produce those low frequencies accurately without adding distortion," adds Greenwald.

Media and Tech Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski has tested and reviewed everything from consumer electronics to travel gadgets and fitness gear for Good Housekeeping, including soundbars, noise-canceling headphones and AirPod alternatives. She admits to using a different speaker for every occasion, whether it's cooking dinner at home, heading out of town on an outdoor adventure or throwing a backyard BBQ.

Testing for this roundup was overseen by Chief Technologist Rachel Rothman, who has a B.S.E. in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics with a mathematics minor from the University of Pennsylvania. She has led the GH Institute's technical and testing protocols for over a decade.