8 Best Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers To Buy In 2023
Looking for a speaker you can take with you wherever you go? These are the models guaranteed to impress.
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Whether you’re after some relaxing background music as you hang out by the pool, or want some standout tunes to get everyone up and dancing at your next party, an outdoor speaker is a great investment.
From fully waterproof options that can withstand an accidental dip in the pool to portable options you can take on a picnic, we’ve rounded up a range of top Bluetooth speakers designed to suit your needs.
BEST OUTDOOR BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS
We’ve based our top pick for each category based on our own personal knowledge of, and experience with, each product. We’ve also taken into consideration real customer ratings.
BEST WATERPROOF OUTDOOR BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2, Amazon, $129.95
During her years working at a popular electronics store our Consumer Technology Writer, Lauren Chaplin, said there was one little Bluetooth speaker that seemed to sell more than any other — UE’s Wonderboom 2. With its fun array of colour options and surprisingly big sound, it’s little wonder the speaker would fly off the shelf come Christmas or summertime.
Rated a whopping 4.8 out of 5 stars by customers on Google reviews, the Wonderboom 2 is easily one of the best portable options in its price range; equipped with a good battery life and punchy audio. In a quirky twist, the little speaker is also designed to float, making it a popular choice for pool parties.
The model also offers 360-degree sound and can be paired with another Wonderboom 2 to double the sound; making it ideal for outdoor listening. If you want proof of just how durable it is too, you can turn to one customer on Google reviews who admits, “I even accidentally ran it over in my car (in the dirt) and nothing happened to it.”
BEST CHEAP OUTDOOR BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
Tribit XSound Go Bluetooth Speaker, Amazon Australia, $61.99
If you’re after great value, this Tribit speaker is a great option. With more than 13,300 five-star reviews, it boasts impressive sound quality without distortion even at high volumes. Take it anywhere you go – it’s compact, totally waterproof and offers up to 24 hours of playtime on a single charge. You can even press and hold the multifunction button to activate voice control via Siri or Google.
“My first bigger Bluetooth Speaker and am I impressed. Awesome sound from such a compact unit. Rivals my $500 Bose AM/FM set. Kudos to Tribit,” wrote one of thousands of five-star reviewers.
BEST SMART OUTDOOR BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
Sonos Roam, The Good Guys, $299
A portable, Bluetooth-capable and smart speaker, the Sonos Roam offers up to 10 hours of consistent audio playback for on-the-go fun. High-quality amplifiers are fine tuned to offer optimal music quality and its “Trueplay” technology adapts the sound to the noise around you. Connect at home via Wi-Fi or with bluetooth while you’re out and about and no need to stress about it thanks to the IP67 water resistant rating. Compatible with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, you can go hands free to control smart devices when you’re at home too. It’s also available in white, if that’s more to your taste.
The speaker has been rated highly by reviewers and we also put it to the test.
SONOS ROAM REVIEW:
The Sonos Roam has really shown me just how much use you can get out of a smart speaker – and boy, have I been living in the dark until now. Rather than playing music through my tinny phone speakers, I’ve been enjoying the crystal clear sound quality of the Roam everywhere – from my kitchen, to the shower (yep, it’s water resistant), and outdoors on my balcony as I hang out washing.
The hands-free capabilities are a real luxury that always gives me a little kick. With a quick “Hey Google”, I can turn my music on or off, up or down, I can check the weather while I get ready, and I can even set off my robot vacuum without lifting a finger.
For its convenience, sound quality, and portability, it’s a really impressive speaker in my books – and my housemate and I are converted.
BEST PORTABLE OUTDOOR BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Amazon Australia, on sale $249
The UE Megaboom 3 is an iconic speaker – it’s likely you know someone who owns it in one of its many vivid colours. It can blast loud, clear and powerful 360-degree sound with deep bass. Waterproof, dustproof and drop-proof, it’s ideal for outdoor and on-the-go listening, and the two-tone fabric design is modern and eye-catching.
It holds a 4.8-star average rating from over 170 reviews, with one reviewer commenting: “Good sound quality. Good bass. Beautiful colour. Outdoor area comes alive” and another writing: “This compact speaker packs a big punch. Simple to set up and easy to use with a surprisingly clear sound and rich bass. Stylish design.”
JBL Charge 5 Portable BT Speaker, The Good Guys, $199
The JBL Charge 5 is perfect for any party. With up to 20 hours of play time, dual pumping bass radiators, and even has a built-in powerbank to keep your devices charged and the party going all night.
The IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating means it’s safe to go wherever you go and the sound quality can be boosted if you pair it with any other JBL PartyBoost-enabled speaker.
It has a five star average rating from reviewers, one of whom wrote: “Crystal clear sound, great bass for its size.”
BOSE SoundLink Revolve II, The good Guys, $299
Despite its compact size, the BOSE SoundLink Revolve II offers high quality loud audio. It’s water and dust resistant for safe outdoor use, and is compatible with your device’s default voice assistant to control your music from afar. You’ll get up to 13 hours of playback, and the 360-degree design means premium audio from every angle.
Reviewers are consistently impressed with the quality of the device, with one leaving five stars and writing “quality speaker and I’ve had a few. Crisp and clear sound with huge power – arguably best small speaker on the market”.
BEST PREMIUM OUTDOOR BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS
Sonos Move, The Good Guys, $699
Weather and drop resistant, the Sonos Move is the perfect addition to your outdoor adventures. Control it via your voice, the Sonos app, or Apple AirPlay when you’re at home, and pair with via Bluetooth when you’re out and about. Like the Roam, it offers automatic “Trueplay” tuning that balances sound according to what you’re listening to and where you’re listening to it – so you can experience the deepest bass and clearest highs. The battery offers up to 10 hours of continuous play time, and the ergonomic handle makes it easy to grab and go.
It has a 4.5-star average rating, with one five-star reviewer writing: “Fabulous sounds and great product, lived up to the hype! Just love that it pairs in with the rest of my Sonos system but I can also take it away camping.”
JBL Boombox 2, Harvey Norman, $629
With its rich, powerful sounds and portable design, the JBL Boombox 2 is perfect for listening to your favourite tunes at home or while you’re out adventuring. The deep bass offers a powerful audio output, and the IPX7 waterproof rating means it can’t be stopped by a little rainfall. The built-in powerbank allows you to charge your devices and with up to 24 hour battery life, the party can keep going as long as you like.
HOW DO I CHOOSE AN OUTDOOR BLUETOOTH SPEAKER?
Wondering how to narrow down your choices even further? Here are some tips to help you choose.
• Usage: How and where are you planning on using your speaker? Is it outdoors in a covered area, outdoors in a space that’s open to the elements, or will it be more of an on-the-go speaker to accompany you wherever you go?
• Size of space: If you’re planning on using your speaker to entertain in your outdoors area at home, consider the size of the space. A smaller speaker like the Sonos Roam or Tribit XSound Go may be well-suited to smaller spaces, while for large areas you might need a larger option like the Sonos Move or even a wall-mounted set-up like the Sonos Outdoor Speakers.
• Budget: You can find plenty of decent outdoor speakers for under $100, and even more under $200, but the lower cost may sacrifice some sound quality, particularly at higher volumes.
• Battery life: Battery life on outdoor speakers varies anywhere from a few hours up to a full day.
• Sound quality: If you’re after the best quality sound, speakers from Bose and Sonos are considered the best on the market. They do come with a significantly higher cost, but any music lover will tell you it’s well worth it.
WHAT IS THE BEST BLUETOOTH SPEAKER FOR SOUND QUALITY?
If you’re an audiophile, you’ll be after the best quality. It’s widely agreed that Sonos, BOSE, JBL and Ultimate Ears are among the best brands for impressive sound quality with perfectly balanced audio including deep bass and clear highs.
CAN YOU LEAVE BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS OUTSIDE?
While every speaker on this list is water resistant or waterproof, to keep your speaker safe and maximise its life, try not to leave it outdoors 24/7 – unless it’s specifically designed to be left there. Some speakers, while water-resistant, may be susceptible to damage from extreme heat or cold.
Looking for more gadgets for the best audio experience? Check out our guides to the best wireless over-ear headphones and best true wireless earbuds. Plus, here’s everything you need to turn your place into a smart home.
Make sure you get the best deal on every purchase you make by checking out news.com.au Coupons. There, you can score discounts on top brands from The Good Guys and Myer to Harvey Norman.
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