Best Wireless Outdoor Speakers - Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
Power bank for your phone?
Check.
Music library filled with your favorite tunes?
Check.
These days, a camping trip always involves getting your tech and gadgets ready to see you through a weekend away from the comforts of your home.
The best wireless outdoor speakers should be on your must-pack list, too – because you can’t have an outdoor party without them.
That’s why I’m going to help you pick the best one out today!
In a hurry? The Test Winner After 29 Hours of Research:
JBL Charge 4 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Why it is better?
91/100
our score
RESEARCHED SOURCES
REVIEWS CONSIDERED
hours researching
products compared
Last Updated: February 2023
By Barry Allen: This article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information regarding the best wireless outdoor speakers. The best 5 available have changed, and information has been added to assist individuals in finding the best outdoor speakers currently available on the market. The FAQ has also been updated.
Best Wireless Outdoor Speakers - Comparison Table
Product | Dimensions | Weight | Battery | IPX Rating | Our Rating | Current Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JBL Charge 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
| 4.9 x 5.9 x 10.8 inches | 2.9 pounds | 7500 mAh | IPX7 | 91/100 | |
OontZ Angle 3 (3rd Gen) Bluetooth Portable Speaker
| 2.6 x 5.25 x 2.8 inches | 10 ounces | 2200 mAh | IPX5 | 86/100 | |
Sonos Move Battery-Powered Smart Speaker
| 4.96 x 6.29 x 9.44 inches | 6.6 pounds | 36 Wh | IP56 | 85/100 |
Top Wireless Outdoor Speakers Reviewed
With an increasing number of innovative and portable wireless outdoor speakers constantly hitting the market, it can be hard to know where to start.
To make things easier for you, we've narrowed down our top six Bluetooth-enabled picks: use this helpful roundup as a guide before taking your pick.
1. JBL Charge 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- BEST OVERALL -
“Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken” seems to the rule that JBL followed with the newest in the Charge series line-up of outdoor speakers – the JBL Charge 4. It appears that there are not that many updates – if any – to talk about, which sort of makes this speaker sound boring on paper.
However, the sound quality is way more refined than it used to be.
The JBL speakers pretty much rule the wireless speaker market at every price point, but this newest addition might be one of the best outdoor speakers to date!
The Design
There are a few slight updates to the build of Charge 4 speakers, or more precisely, their size.
It now measures 4.9 x 5.9 x 10.8 inches and weighs nearly three pounds, which makes it relatively bigger than its predecessor. It’s not a huge deal, though, and shouldn’t make any actual difference to your everyday outdoor activities.
The overall construction is simple, with a set of playback controls, power and Bluetooth-pairing buttons up top, and the LED battery status lights on the bottom.
At the same time, it’s hardy and rugged all-round, in dark gray color with a rubber exterior, water-resistant fabric, and a rubber flap that protects the charging port, lending this speaker an IPX7 rating.
The Performance
There are noticeable improvements in audio separation and coherence and giving the mid-range a bit more space to breathe. These speakers feature a single, oval-shaped driver, rather than a set of smaller ones seen in previous Charge speakers.
I’ve noticed that the audio was surprisingly refined, with a lot of consistency and balance throughout the range, especially the mid-range, where it showed above-average clarity.
Also, I have to add that it’s capable of getting plenty loud, too. Speakers this size typically struggle with the noisiness of open space, but surprisingly enough, the Charge 4 doesn’t.
It would be wrong of me to label the audio performance of JBL speakers as bass-light, but you should note that size is always a limiting factor with portable outdoor speakers. Still, the low end has plenty of power and depth, and is quite tasteful, too.
The battery is every bit as exceptional as the audio performance and holds enough juice to serve as a power bank, too. The capacity in its lithium ion battery is similar to that of a high end drone. No wonder it is one of the most recommended models on Amazon.
Pros
Cons
2. OontZ Angle 3 (3rd Gen) Bluetooth Portable Speaker - Budget Pick
If you need your new cordless outdoor speakers to save you some money – without compromising ruggedness or portability – then you might want to look into budget options such as the Cambridge Sound Works OontZ Angle 3.
It’s one of the most inexpensive, compact Bluetooth speakers – and one that’s certainly worthy of bringing it along to a small outdoor gathering.
The Design
This speaker is not bad-looking, but it’s not like it will receive any awards for how pretty it is, either.
It’s the functionality – and the pocket-friendly price – that makes it so attractive.
The speaker, which measures 2.6 x 5.25 x 2.8 inches and weighs under a pound, is an excellent wireless option that you can throw in your backpack when you head out, and worry about it. The black rubberized exterior is an essential feature here:
It boasts an IPX5 rating, which pretty much guarantees that it won’t get ruined by accidental splashes of water. It can be a good beach party companion, too, as the housing protects the internal components from sand, grit, and dust.
Also, I love that it comes with a 3.5-millimeter aux input, which, together with the micro USB charging port, is hidden behind a rubber gasket for an added element of protection in outdoor conditions.
The Performance
This portable wireless speaker plays well for its size and price range, especially if all you need is some background music for a small outdoor get-together. You can tell that there was a significant improvement over the previous versions, especially regarding the clarity and balance of sound.
The mid-range is where this outdoor Bluetooth speaker feels the most at home, but the high-end does have quite a bit of detail, too. However, due to its small size, it’s not exactly capable of digging into the lower end and delivering deep bass. It’s close, but it’s not mind-blowing.
The audio quality is still respectable, though, and beats a lot of similarly priced competitors when it comes to audio performance!
Considering the rugged build and impressive 14-hour run-time, I think of this one as the perfect outdoor traveling gadget.
Pros
Cons
3. Sonos Move Battery - Powered Smart Speaker - Upgrade Pick
Ever since entering the audio equipment industry, Sonos hasn’t swayed from its initial target of defining – and perfecting – Wi-Fi indoor speakers. They haven’t even thought about stepping outside and moving the party to your patio.
Last year, however, Sonos decided to finally step outside, launching their first-ever battery-powered Bluetooth outdoor speaker.
The Sonos Move is ready to go where no other Sonos speaker went before:
If you have the funds for it, get your hands on one of the ultimate wireless outdoor speakers ever, and become part of the Movement!
The Design
“Portable” isn’t exactly the best way to describe it; honestly a foldable electric bike is about as portable as this.
The name “outdoor speaker” is much more fitting..
The 4.96 x 6.29 x 9.44-inch dimensions are a bit too generous compared to the average portable Bluetooth speaker. And at 6.6 pounds, I wouldn’t exactly call it lightweight, either, although the integrated handle does somewhat mitigate its weight.
Despite its generous proportions, it’s still very pretty and streamlined, with an undeniable resemblance to the Sonos SL.
There’s a mesh metal grille surrounding a good portion of the speaker, with the top featuring touch-sensitive controls, integrated microphones, and status lights. The multi-room pairing and power buttons, and a Bluetooth/Wi-Fi toggle are set on the speaker’s rear side.
Also, you can expect it to survive drops, water splashes, dust, and even extreme temperatures thanks to the ultra-durable, IP56-rated design!
The Performance
Now, here’s the impressive part:
It can play as good as the next Sonos speaker – but with the advantage of being both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatible and outdoor-friendly.
Next, when talking about features - it boasts the Trueplay automatic tuning, which adapts and balances the sound to match the speaker’s environment. Even when it’s going against the acoustics of open space, it still doesn’t show signs of wavering audio clarity:
The sound is full-bodied and rich, the tonality is nicely balanced, and most importantly, you can crank it way up, and it won’t seem to mind - the output will stay on par. Oh, and the bass is surprisingly forceful and punchy, too!
And since this is a battery-powered wireless speaker, I have to add that I was rather impressed with its 10-hour run-time, too.
Pros
Cons
4. Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Outdoor Speaker
If you want to go ultra-small with your portable outdoor speaker, the Bose SoundLink Micro is an option worth considering. Pocket-sized outdoor speakers often sacrifice some of the sound quality to retain their palm-fitting dimensions, but Bose somehow managed to defy those conventions.
Still, the question remains:
Is $100 too much for a speaker this small?
The Design
This pebble-shaped Bluetooth speaker measures 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.4 inches, and it weighs less than a pound – 0.6 ounces, to be exact. It’s tiny enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but at the same time, it doesn’t feel flimsy or fragile.
It’s designed to take a severe beating, and survive getting banged around, dropped, scratched, and occasionally dunked in the pool, too!
That resilience, and the IPX7 rating, comes from the rubberized exterior – complete with a tear-resistant strap – that encloses the entire speaker. Its internal components are protected from water and other types of damage.
The controls are minimal, but you’ll get all the essentials, plus an integrated speakerphone that lets you use your virtual voice assistant directly through the speaker! And considering that it’s a Bluetooth – and Bluetooth only – speaker, don’t be surprised to discover that the only port on it is the micro USB one for charging.
The Performance
I couldn’t believe that something as tiny and toy-looking as this could ever produce a sound that’s any good – but I was wrong:
Considering its size, the audio quality that it delivered was flat out exceptional!
The sound was well-balanced with quite a bit of separation and crispness to it. It was interesting to discover that the bass doesn’t come from the main, upward-firing grille, but out the bottom, instead. Yet, somehow, it didn’t sound muffled at all.
The bass does thin out at higher volumes, but the response is still nothing short of impressive for a speaker this size.
I did find that it sounded the best sitting on a hard, flat surface, with the volume set at medium-high. Plus, keeping the volume at reasonable levels also helps to preserve the already limited, six-hour battery life.
Pros
Cons
5. JBL Flip 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The JBL Flip series has long been the most popular Bluetooth speaker line on the market, with the JBL Flip 4 leading the way. However, you’re probably well aware that it’s no longer the latest, hottest trend you’ll find:
The JBL Flip 4 got old.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s outdated, though – it can still hold its ground against the competition!
The Design
There’s a good chance that the cylindrical form of this outdoor speaker – which, by the way, measures 3.7 x 3.6 x 8.5 inches – looks a bit familiar. It doesn’t offer many design-related innovations.
What it may lack in innovations, it makes up for in functionality:
The entire thing comes encased in sturdy rubber, with the durable fabric that wraps around the speaker. The cool part is that it’s completely waterproof, too. The IPX7 waterproof rating makes it outdoor, all-weather, all-location-friendly!
You’ll find four textured buttons on the mesh fabric itself, along with a few additional ones set on the so-called “spine,” including the power and the JBL Connect+ buttons.
That’s where the battery indicator lights live, too, as well as the small rubber flap that keeps the micro USB charging port and the 3.5-millimeter aux input sealed away from dirt and moisture.
The Performance
The JBL Flip 4 doesn’t sound bad at all. But as I mentioned already, the market is becoming increasingly crowded, and its overall performance is no longer as impressive as it used to be.
There are merely better options available right now.
That said, the sound it delivers is surprisingly good considering its compact stature. There’s plenty of spaciousness in its delivery, and I didn’t feel like any given part of the frequency range was overstepping its boundaries and bleeding into the neighboring ones.
The bass is super beefy and well-rounded, and you can tell that the dual passive radiators are doing their thing. I’m on the fence about the mid-range, though – that’s where the speaker’s performance will mostly depend on your preferred music genre.
Oh, and you’ll get an excellent 12-hour battery life at medium-high volume, too.
Pros
Cons
6.Klipsch AWR-650-SM Indoor/Outdoor Speaker
I couldn’t wrap up this round-up of best outdoor speakers without including at least one Klipsch model. And then I figured, why not give you a more inconspicuous, background-blending outdoor music player while I’m at it?
That’s how the Klipsch AWR-650-SM rock speaker ended up on my list. And no, I’m not talking about rock n’ roll speakers:
These speakers were designed to look like rocks!
The Design
Most rock speakers tend to look straight up wrong and blatantly fake, too. So, I had my fair share of doubts about the AWR-650-SM.
However, Klipsch managed to achieve that authentic granite look that can live in your backyard and blend in the surroundings, without looking cheap or tacky.
I think that their entire designer team deserves a round of applause for this ingenious design alone!
The weatherproof, UV-resistant housing, which is 17 inches high, is made of fiberglass composite, yet shaped to resemble a large chunk of granite.
At 13 pounds, it isn’t massive, but it’s big and bulky – and not at all portable. Plus, it’s wired, rather than wireless.
Then again, what did you expect from a large rock?
The Performance
The Klipsch AWR-650-SM outdoor speakers seriously rock!
I saw an opening for a bad pun, and I took it. All jokes aside, though, you know how dedicated Klipsch is to delivering spectacular sound – even when the actual speaker is nowhere near traditional-looking.
The speaker is rated at 50 watts of RMS power, and even with the volume set halfway up, a pair of these speakers is more than enough to fill your backyard or patio with music. That said, the outstanding, 94-dB sensitivity of this speaker adds a lot in terms of the audio volumes it’s capable of producing, too.
The audio quality is every bit as impressive – everything’s spot on and distortion-free. It’s balanced and natural, with a warm mid-range and detailed and crisp treble.
I didn’t expect much from the 6.5-inch woofer, but it delivered full-bodied and oh-so-pleasant bass. The combination of the woofer driver and the side-firing bass reflex port does an excellent job of pushing out air in the lower end.
Pros
Cons
After It's All Said and Done, We Recommend:
JBL Charge 4 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Why it is better?
91/100
our score
Conclusion
It takes a lot for an outdoor speaker with Bluetooth to stand out these days. The idea of streaming your tunes on the go gave way to an explosion of wireless speakers in all shapes and sizes imaginable.
Still, some outdoor Bluetooth speakers lead the way, both sound and design-wise – and I tried to sum them up in this round-up. The JBL Charge 4 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker is a perfect example of what I mean.
Oh, and you can find more waterproof Bluetooth speakers here!
About the author:
Barry Allen
I grew up to be a self-proclaimed stuck-up audiophile, and I – partially – blame Pinnacle Speakers for it.
The whole point of me starting this website was to keep the tradition going. Although the means have changed, the mission remains the same: Bringing „sterling sound“ as they once put it into home theaters and sound systems worldwide!