The 11 best outdoor speakers for pool parties, picnics, and more

This pair of high-performance speakers packs an impressive audio punch for the price. They’re made with a 20mm tweeter piezo dome and a 40mm polypropylene cone to provide synchronized, harmonious sound. They also feature 100 watts of peak power with a frequency range between 100Hz and 20kHz, plus a 4-inch woofer built-in for rich, boosted bass on each and every track. Easy to mount on the included swivel brackets, the speakers weigh just under three pounds as a set. The best outdoor speakers offer weather resistance, and these stereo speakers feature a UV-resistant coating and ABS enclosure for outdoor use year-round, though you might consider mounting them under an awning or deck for extra protection.

If you want a speaker that you can bring out on the porch or pack for your next beach trip, then you’ll want a portable and waterproof Bluetooth speaker, and the JBL Flip 6 is our top pick in this category. In our testing, the JBL Flip 6 delivered strong bass and better overall sound compared to more expensive outdoor Bluetooth speakers from Sonos and Bose. Instead of downloading an app or dealing with wired installation, you simply press the Bluetooth button and instantly connect to your mobile device.

Internally, the JBL Flip 6 has a 45mm driver, and unlike the previous generation Flip 5, it has a separate tweeter for fuller sound. Compared to the best outdoor speakers, it has a more limited range and audio capabilities, but it still delivers full, rich sound for the size and price. With an IP67 waterproof rating, you can also drop this speaker in the pool and still keep the party going.

Both battery-powered and smart, this outdoor wireless speaker from Sonos has both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity so you can easily stream and enjoy your favorite playlists with truly superior sound quality. (It can also be easily integrated into an existing Sonos audio system.) With a downward-firing tweeter and one midwoofer, this wireless option from Sonos delivers crisp and clear audio with rich bass.

In our testing, the Sonos Move is incredibly easy to set up and connect to, and it also boasts built-in support for voice assistants for hands-free voice control. (The Sonos voice assistant is voiced by Breaking Bad actor Giancarlo Esposito, which is a cool touch.) The Sonos Move outdoor speaker is weather-resistant in rain, snow, humidity, and extreme temperatures, but you probably won't want to leave it out in the elements at all times since it's not completely waterproof. Fortunately, it's easy to move indoors thanks to its built-in ergonomic handle. Though not wired, it has a reasonable battery life of up to 11 hours, but you obviously will need to recharge it often on the included indoor-only charging base.

If you’re looking for big sound but don’t want to deal with wired stereo speakers, this is your best bet.

The Sonos Roam is an impressively designed product and looks attractive whether it’s sitting on a bookshelf or hanging out poolside. For outdoor use, the Roam has an IP67 waterproof rating, which means it can be fully submerged in water and survive. Also on the plus side, it has a 10-hour battery life for all-day fun. The best outdoor speakers offer booming sound and powerful bass, and in that respect, the Sonos Roam does leave something to be desired. The sound can be a bit tinny on the high end, but for its small size, it delivers good-quality sound.

If you already have a Sonos home audio setup, or if you’re looking for a speaker that you can bring inside and out as needed, then the Sonos Roam is a dependable portable outdoor speaker.

The OSD Audio AP650 speakers come as a pair, which is your first indication they're going to provide some serious balance to your backyard music-playing game. The next is that they're available in both black and white, allowing you to pick the one that blends in best with backyard decor. Then, of course, there's how they sound.

The soft dome tweeter provides clarity to treble and vocals (i.e. the top end of whatever you're playing) without broaching into harsh, sharp territory. The woofer, on the other hand, has some trouble keeping those lower tones sounding consistently rich and smooth. Still, the sound is more balanced than other speakers at this price point and capable of filling up at least a mid-sized backyard without sacrificing quality. As an added bonus, the included mounting brackets allow for plenty of rotation and tilt, so you get easy versatility with speaker placement and direction. As a final cherry on top, these speakers are sealed and have an IPX6 rating, meaning they can handle having a stream of water hit them and live to tell the tale — but it's always best to situate them in the most protected place possible.

With full-range coaxial drivers — including an 8-inch woofer and a 2-inch tweeter — housed inside an omnidirectional cone, this mighty little in-ground speaker pumps 360 degrees of sound around your outdoor space. No matter where you or your guests are hanging out, you'll all experience the same dynamic audio and deep bass as it's evenly distributed throughout your yard or patio. Its earthy green color helps it blend into your landscaping, while its weather-resistant housing keeps it protected from the elements year-round, including rain, snow, and extreme temperatures. This particular model is sold individually, but it's also available in pairs and different sizes, and a subwoofer is also offered to boost the bass of your complete outdoor stereo setup.

This pair of stylish outdoor Bose speakers delivers clear and powerful, high-end sound quality thanks to its 2.5-inch full-range drivers and 5.25-inch woofers in a multi-chamber bass enclosure. Weighing in at about eight pounds each, they're sturdy, durable, and easy to mount with the included hardware. They were also made with the great outdoors in mind, boasting a water-resistant and all-weather build. They've also been battle-tested by Bose to withstand very rough conditions and extreme temperatures from 140 degrees down to -22 degrees Fahrenheit, all while delivering the best and highest quality sound no matter the weather.

Designed with fewer moving parts, this pair of outdoor speakers features a single-click "speed-lock mounting system" for easy and safe one-handed installation. Beyond that incredible convenience, the speakers’ internals feature a broad soundscape and acoustic design that make them sing with a full-range of sound in large areas. Spec-wise, the speakers each come with a 5.25-inch Dynamic Balance driver and 1-inch dome tweeter to maximize audio and bass across wide, open spaces. Best of all, the speakers’ rugged durability exceeds baseline industrial and military specs, earning them an all-weather certification that makes them pretty much immune to rain, snow, and extreme heat.

If you have a pair of expert ears and want the best audio quality while you’re lounging in your backyard, then this incredible pair of indoor/outdoor speakers is most definitely for you. The speakers deliver crisp and detailed sound with spotless highs and strong lows that will keep any audiophile happy. The set features a UV-resistant ABS casing with an aluminum grille that’s completely durable and rust-proof, ensuring they can take harsh damage from the elements. They’re also designed to consume less power than typical outdoor speakers, so that’s another thing that will put you at ease as you soak up the sun and good vibes on your very well-tuned patio.

While this natural-looking speaker is easily camouflaged in your outdoor space, its quality sound certainly does not stay hidden. And while these camouflage outdoor speakers are not advertised as portable speakers, they're definitely more mobile than every other option on this list. 

Inside its 17-inch-tall faux-stone frame, dual 0.8-inch tweeters and a 6.5-inch woofer provide loud, clear audio with significant bass to keep your barbecues booming. These beefy boulders also weigh in at about 13 pounds, so a big gust of wind won't blow 'em clear across the yard, and they're well-sealed to keep out the elements. In your choice of sandstone or granite finish, the outdoor rock speaker boasts a durable UV-resistant enclosure and waterproof wires that are easy to bury or hide so you can enjoy superior sound in a semi-secret style.

This pair of 6.5-inch outdoor speakers allows you to connect non-Bluetooth devices to play your music, but why not harness its convenience and wirelessly stream your tunes instead? You get the best of both worlds as it's wired for electricity so you don't need to worry about recharging a battery, but you can play your music straight from your mobile device and you don't need an amplifier to hear it loud and clear. Best of all, its durable, marine-grade weatherproof construction with rust-proof speaker grills ensures these speakers are not only functional in all seasons, but they continue to look good, too.