Aside from good old-fashioned silence, nothing goes better with a day outdoors than taking it in with some music. Sure, having some company to enjoy it with is nice, but we guarantee whoever came along for the ride would like to play a couple of their favorite songs, too. It’s grown clear that audio manufacturers have accounted for this, as an endless variety of waterproof speakers have hit the market throughout the past decade, but which of these options are best suited to take in these environments? Well, that’s what we’re here to answer.
Considering different speakers adhere to particular users, be it from a sound or protection perspective, it’s only fair to find ones that play both sides of the fence. While there are many options to choose from, some of the audio world’s best examples offer the perfect balance of concert-like loudness, audiophile-approved quality, and an outdoor-ready composition. With that in mind, our guide to the seven best outdoor speakers will help you find a way to make your next event one worth remembering.
Safe & Sound
Choose Wisely
When it comes to buying an outdoor speaker that’s made to last, you should account for two essential elements that compose a good option: battery life and IP rating. The latter may be the most important thing to consider, especially if you plan on toting your speaker along on camping trips or any other unpredictable activity.
Battery Life: Considering you may not have direct access to a power source in case your speaker dies, it’s good to account for a choice that offers a solid battery life. As far as Bluetooth-operated options are concerned, the bare minimum you should consider is 15 hours. However, the average outdoorsman will be happy to learn that we narrowed down a choice that offers a whopping 27 hours of listening time — that’s over an entire day.
IP Rating: A gadget’s IP rating says a lot about what it’s capable of, which applies to outdoor-ready speakers as much as anything else. Whether you’re hosting a pool party, heading to the beach, or spending time by the lake, you should make sure that your speaker has an IPX4 rating for splashproof protection, at the very least. You will come across a couple of picks with premium IP67 protection, which is ideal for combatting anything from heavy rainfall to dust storms, so keep that in mind if you plan on taking the speaker on your next adventure.
TIC GS3 8″ In-Ground Speaker
While this isn’t your typical speaker, it allows you to integrate sound into the literal soil of your home. The TIC GS3 has been labeled as an “in-ground speaker” thanks to its ability to camouflage your garden seamlessly. As far as sound is concerned, TIC is arguably the pioneer behind omni-directional-compatible speakers, as this particular model has delivered an enveloping experience since releasing in 1989. Seeing as it is embedded into your lawn, the GS3 boasts a waterproof design, so you have nothing to worry about.
Bang & Olfusen Beosound Explore
When it comes to refined audio equipment, Bang & Olufsen typically leads the way, and its latest outdoor-centric portable speaker does so yet again. The Danish manufacturer’s Beosound Explore boasts a trusty IP67 rating, ensuring it can remain intact through rain, dropping, and gusts of dirt or rust. Sound-wise, it features True360 sound to deliver an immersive listen wherever you roam and allows you to take advantage of its pair of 1.8” drivers for up to 27 hours.
Dayton Audio IO65XTW Outdoor Speakers
Dayton’s pair of outdoor speakers boast a passive radiator that delivers an extended low-end response that you typically don’t find on other brands’ offerings. That said, it also features a 6.5” woofer and 1” silk dome tweeter to provide a balanced listening experience overall. Most importantly, it has an IP66 rating that protects its interior from any sort of water damage.
Bose Soundlink Revolve+
Whether it’s headphones, home theater setups, or, in this case, outdoor speakers, you can never go wrong with anything from Bose. The Soundlink Reolve+ features an ergonomic handle for easy portability, but that’s simply the cherry on top of everything else it offers. The IP55-rated gadget has Google Assistant and Siri to let you play your favorite tracks hands-free, resulting in a smart-home-friendly device that is equally appropriate to take on the great outdoors. Aside from minor specs, the draw is its 360-degree sound, boasting a wraparound speaker design that delivers music from every angle.
JBL Outdoor Partybox 310
There are good party speakers, and there is the Partybox 310. As one of the country’s best-received audio brands, anything from JBL’s catalog is always a great choice to consider, and the same applies to this behemoth. The 27” tall speaker boasts all the elemental protection necessary for an outdoor piece of gear, including an IPX4 rating for splashproof protection. In other words, it will bode well for your final pool party of the summer. Its user-friendly Bluetooth connectivity makes for a seamless experience that anyone can get the hang of. While all that is great, what truly stands out here is the club-ready backlighting that can sense darkness, ultimately making it the literal life of the party.
Sonos Outdoor Speakers
When it comes to finding some speakers that could truly withstand anything, we recommend the architectural stereo set from Sonos. The Santa Barbara-bred manufacturer’s Outdoor Speakers were made in collaboration with Sonance, who is adept at manufacturing in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. Most importantly, the speakers are entirely weatherproof and engineered to take on humidity, water, UV rays, and freezing forecasts. The premium set does require professional installation, but it’ll all be worth it once you experience sound from every angle.
SOUNDBOXS Gen. 3 Speaker
SOUNDBOKS’ heavy-duty offering is the end-all-be-all of this conversation, serving as the ultimate choice of all outdoor speakers on the market. When utilizing its 40 hours of battery life, you’ll soon realize that it’s hard to outdo the concert-like sound this has to offer. Thanks to the manufacturer’s array of listening modes — Bass+, Power, and Indoor — you can tailor the experience to your liking and encounter no distortion along the way. For durability’s sake, it boasts shock-absorbing corners, a dent-proof steel grill, and splashproof technology that guarantees it will remain safe through any outdoor scenario.
The 6 Best Outdoor TVs
If you’re in the market for premium outdoor speakers, you might as well hook them up to an <a href=”https://hiconsumption.com/best-outdoor-tvs/”>outdoor TV</a>. Find out which options to consider in our comprehensive guide.
