Our Best Recommendations: 7 Good-Quality Bluetooth Speakers for Outdoors

The sound of outdoor silence is deafening when there’s no music being cranked out of a speaker. You try to experience the bass boom of a hip hop playlist at a BBQ or picnic, only to have your phone let you down, lacking any sort of kick. Guests lean in to try and catch the barely audible murmurs of your track, nodding politely as if they can hear the beat. What a sight. What you need to fix this awkward situation is an outdoor bluetooth speaker, a weatherproof, super-loud device that brings the wireless beats a-calling with much boom and bass. 

Just so you don’t have to sit outside, getting wet and miserable in a surprise spring shower that the meteorology office forgot to mention, we’ve done all the testing for you. We’ve rounded up the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers that can handle a little rain, a lot of volume, and maybe even a dip in the pool. Whether you need something rugged for a camping trip, loud enough to drown out a neighboring tent’s questionable taste in music, or with just enough range to keep a small street party going, we’ve got you covered.

The Buyers Checklist Preamble

Do look at wireless range. Our office parties have burgers frying up. Stepping away to fetch the BBQ sauce while carrying your smartphone, the music shouldn’t glitch.

Don’t forget a waterproof case. An IPXX (Ingress Protection) rating will be assigned to your outdoor Bluetooth outdoor speaker, protecting its electronics from water. 

Do test for sound quality. A bass heavy speaker might please a rap fan, but it’s no good for a discerning classical music listener.

Don’t ignore battery life.  Long lasting batteries for weekend pool parties or week long hikes into the wilderness, where wall outlets can’t follow.

Do make sure it’s rugged. Strong rubberized coatings and alloy-strengthened frames repel travel dings, keeping your wireless outdoor speaker safe and sound.

Do check for handy extras. Quick device pairing, USB-C connectivity, speakerphone functions, and accessory charging capabilities rate high, then there’s the option to pair other speakers, too.

Do get on with the review, that’s the final tip. We’re eager to start the benchmarks, located in a park that overlooks our office. Starting off strong, the Sonos Move 2 is first up under our expert eyes, and ears.

Our Recommendations for The Best Bluetooth Speakers for Outdoors Today!

Marshall Middleton Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

What got us vibing – Iconic audio engineering brand. Two large tweeters and two big woofers. True Stereophonic multi-directional sound. Rugged enclosure. Built to operate as a powerbank. 20 hours of cable-free play. Portability personified.

We’ve got a guitarist on staff, someone who gigs at the weekend at local clubs. It was hard for him to look at the tiny Marshall Middleton without thinking about the big amps that litter stage floors. This IP67 gear can be cranked up like one of those amps, but the class-D amplifiers residing under the durable, roadworthy case are designed to howl multi-genre music, not boost the crunch coming out of the pickups of an electric guitar. Vintage in appearance, maybe so, the outdoor Bluetooth speaker packs a different kind of wallop, the tough vinyl-like exterior competing with the gold ‘Marshall’ logo for attention. 

It’s a 4 by 9 inch sized stereo wireless speaker that uses Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity. Like the other wireless devices with this codec on our list, we expected a 10m or 30ft range of coverage. We weren’t disappointed. Next, the 20 hour lifespan built into the gear battery was better than some, not as great as others. Again, that’s to be expected in a speaker that’s only 3.74 inches deep. Still, equipped with two 3 inch woofers and two 3/5 inch 10W tweeters, Marshall engineers have obviously gone out of their way to squeeze every drop of juice out of their product.

One issue we’ve found when using smaller speakers is a tendency towards uni-directional sound; it’s difficult to generate a wide stereo image when the source is so small. The Marshall speaker uses 360° True Stereophonic sound to get around this problem. The sound radiates with dynamic presence from two passive radiators, using the quad-speaker architecture to project audio evenly in all directions. Our expert reviewers stood at different points all round the Marshall Middleton, commenting on just how balanced and loud the sound was, no matter where they stood. 

Controls were simple, the top-mounted multi-directional knob providing direct access to everything from volume to PLAY and PAUSE. If more fine-grained control was asked for by someone who didn’t quite like a particular sound profile, then a dip into the Marshall Bluetooth app called up more advanced settings, such as the multi-band EQ or the Bass and Treble levels. Ultimately, this Marshall gear does the legacy amp designers great credit, lasting upwards of 20 hours while delivering performance tuned beats. A grippy strap is in the box, too, making the outdoor speaker take on the appearance of a chic little armored speaker when it’s being carried.

What didn’t hit the right note – Its price is out of reach of casual listeners. Although small, the 4.0 lb heft is significant. Bass dominates at higher volumes. 

Sonos Move 2 Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker 

What got us vibing – IP56 water resistance. All day battery. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Superior stereo separation. Powerful woofer. Environment analyzing Trueplay. Shock proof. Sonos app. Sonos Radio. Alexa Assistant voice control. Solid build.

The Sonos Move 2 had a lot to prove, what with its high price giving us sticker shock. We tend to buy premium devices, but the thought of putting down close to a $500 investment on an outdoor Bluetooth speaker had our staffers hesitating. We needn’t have worried, the sound quality and many features built into this fine outdoor or indoor device had us captivated. The IP56 enclosure covering all of this audio enhancing tech also had us relaxing, knowing it could handle splashes and rainfall.

Don’t place it too close to the edge of a pool, though, the Sonos Move 2 is not built to be submerged, creating a sad surface bubble of drowned music. An inbuilt handle helps, letting users pick it up and relocate the party elsewhere. Meanwhile, immersive sound sifts from the two redesigned tweeters, driving clean highs to a crowd of audiophiles. We’re all experienced speaker testers, invested in audio performance specs, so every little nuance was noted by the team.

Deep bass reproduction on a Kendrick Lamar track segued into a more detailed soundscape as an ambient Mike Oldfield stream loaded up, relaxing us all as the late sun dropped. Three class-D amplifiers maintained signature sound authenticity, so musical notes floated between an appreciative audience. If bass entered the acoustic listening experience, the discrete midwoofer added suitable rumble but never at the cost of clarity. Admittedly, the wrist of our designated speaker carrier did tire by the end of the afternoon, but that’s no surprise considering the 6.61 lb heft.

Getting down to the techy details, a 44Wh battery had the group swaying to the music all day. Not many other models have such a longer battery life, and few if any of them featured as much acoustic growl. Wi-Fi 6 is built-in as standard, then there’s the de rigueur Bluetooth wireless connection, marked as 5.3. As for useful bonus extras, Trueplay tuned the speaker to the environment, Apple AirPlay waited for iPhone connections, and streaming conveniences like Sonos Radio allowed for phone-free listening sessions, perfect for when smartphone batteries were low.

What didn’t hit the right note – There’s no getting around it, this is an expensive Bluetooth speaker. A relatively heavy product. Move 1 is still an attractive buy.

Anker Soundcore Motion X600 Bluetooth Speaker

What got us vibing – Hi-res LDAC audio. 50W yard-filling sound. IPX7 waterproof. Spatial Audio. Rounded carrying handle. Soundcore app. Appealing metallic mesh aesthetic. Bluetooth range of 100m/328ft. Two woofers & two tweeters.

We turn next to a device that blends retro good looks with modern form factor sculpting. The Anker Soundcore Motion X600—a mouthful, to be sure—boasts vintage appeal, using a smooth metallic grille design that evokes images of old portable boomboxes. Its IPX7 sealing further drives home those good looks, floating, if necessary, in pools of water without causing any interruption to the rich, balanced sound that covers so much area around the deceptively light outdoor speaker, thanks to 50W of driver power.

On closer inspection from our sound gurus, an upward-firing driver merges into the slightly tilted control panel crowning the speaker. Two more tweeters and two more woofers are then mounted to either side of the rugged frame, blasting full-bodied audio with great stereo separation apparent. The only downside we could see at this point was the 12 hour battery life, but a half-day of throaty bass and crisps mids should be good enough for most outdoor events, excepting the most harrowing hikes.

Explaining the hi-res LDAC over Bluetooth wireless codec required more article space than we were willing to sacrifice. Let’s just say that the Sony engineered low latency audio codec can spin up hi-fidelity music with higher bitrates. Audio streams are crystal clear and wide of stage, and high-quality HD tracks, far beyond typical MP3 quality, retain detail. Spatial audio is also a mainstay feature here, although we’re not sure how well carousing barbecuers or hustling hikers will appreciate that extra musical dimension when they’re busy drinking or climbing over rocky outcroppings.

Plenty of independent drivers and a customized EQ to finetune them, the Soundcore X600 comes wrapped in a waterproof housing that looks as stylish as it is light and functional. For the numbers, we weighed the case and its rubberized feet at a light 4.2 lbs, its dimensions coming in at 6.5 by 12.1 inches, 3.2 inches deep. Just as a quick by the way, although easy to access, the membrane buttons on that case required more force than we were used to, but your device’s voice assistant could be called up from here, as could access to a speakerphone mic.

What didn’t hit the right note – Short battery life. Hard to operate buttons. Spatial sound was unimpressive. Muddy bass, which improved greatly after EQ adjustments.

JBL Charge 5 Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

What got us vibing – Powerbank device charging. End-mounted dual bass drivers. PartyBoost dual device pairing. 40W output power. Easy-grip rounded portability. IP67 waterproofing with solid port sealing. Featherweight 2.11 lb carrying.

As the JBL Charge 5 is a couple of years old now, its wireless talents rely on Bluetooth 5.1. Is it getting long in the tooth—sorry, not sorry—then? Perhaps, but aside from a slightly older wireless transmission protocol, the speaker feels market fresh and capable. Regular sales also keep the device affordable. We especially liked the powerbank charging feature, using reserve battery power to give fading mobile devices an energy bump. The arena-like output, radiating out in all directions to entertain our picnicking group, was also a revelation, delivering bold sound with impressive clarity.

The 40W output power listed at the top of the specs sheet was responsible for the expansive audio. Big bass projection came courtesy of the dual-pump bass speaker architecture, with a separate tweeter creating well-defined mids and highs. Wrapped in a cylindrical IP67 housing, the little black JBL outdoor Bluetooth speaker never glitched and repelled soda splashes with ease. Audio did come across as a little too unidirectional when some stereo-heavy tracks loaded, but the PartyBoost mode, pairing an additional JBL device, kept sound wide and the party vibes live.

Nothing outstanding broke free of the codec specs to surprise our technically inclined team members, but  A2DP 1.3 and AVRCP 1.6 are pretty standard Bluetooth profiles, capable of transmitting metadata info like artist and track info. Moving into the battery testing phase of our tests, a 20 hour lifespan kept the beats rolling into the wee hours. We weren’t using the powerbank facility, so all power was made available for acoustic entertainment. Last but certainly not least, built to be portable, there was no doubt that the little pellet shaped outdoor device could take a few blows to its solid frame, shaking them off like a champ.

Just like all of the best Bluetooth speakers for outdoors applications in this review, we used the manufacturer app to squeeze the best possible sound profile out of its audio components. The JBL One app was installed, EQ (Equalizer) options explored, and one balanced setting selected that pleased our listening tastes. A bump up on the bass levels was also introduced to maximize the rumble needed to unlock the low frequency thumps on our basshead’s new Skrillex playlist. All things considered, the JBL Charge 5 is a prize winning Bluetooth speaker that does well outside.

What didn’t hit the right note – No aux input for wired devices. No speakerphone, voice assistant feature. Strong mono performance, no stereo without PartyBoost.

Bose SoundLink Flex Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker 

What got us vibing – Bluetooth 5.3 wireless stability over a 10m distance. Super lightweight build. IP67 water and sand proof enclosure. Audiophile quality sound. The portability factor. PositionIQ sensing technology. Dual speaker pairing. 

Bose is one of those names buyers have grown used to thinking of as an indoor diva. We’re here to say that the Bose SoundLink Flex bucks the trend. Music lovers in search of a product with a big brand identity can switch on this speaker and take their smartphone playlists to a whole other level. If the speaker does get kicked into the pool, fear not, IP67 waterproofing keeps the party going, no splash too big to stop the jams.

Utilizing PositionIQ technology, this amped up outdoor wireless speaker senses its environment. That sound, although mono, spills out of an elegantly engineered grille, the 60mm driver creating serious acoustic oomph. It’s an audio powerhouse, protected from water and beach sand beneath the rugged body and grille. Rich bass accompanies the mids, dual radiator transducers reproducing low-frequency instrumentation and widening the sound stage. Should the mono sound lack presence, a second Bose Soundlink can be paired, adding depth and dimension to the party atmosphere.

Bose speakers are usually expensive; they’re custom-built and packed with intricate acoustic architectures. Not so with this gear, coming in at a sub $200 price point. It’s then tempting to buy the second unit, ensuring full stereo coverage. Even outdoor event attendees on the fringes of the music should then feel the doubled up stereo bass punch and treble crispness. Plus, with two Bose SoundLink Flex speakers linked, you double the audio power without needing to splurge on a high-end, full-size sound system. Other than this consideration, the speaker includes a high-quality built-in mic, perfect for speakerphone conversations that’ll penetrate the outdoor party ambience.

The Bose Connect app (iOS and Android) took charge of sharing and firmware updates, though it came across more as a headphone biased app. We set up the app, then tried dropping the speaker in a pool. At 1.3 lbs, the little outdoor device was light enough to float. Alternatively, its nylon utility loop clipped to a backpack carabiner, bounced the speaker as we hiked a trail. Some motivation building Indie Rock was scrolled through as we hit the trail head, the 12 hour speaker battery life raising a little concern. We dismissed the worry straightaway, as we were only out for the afternoon.

What didn’t hit the right note – It’s a mono speaker. Audio is a little treble biased. Lack of App functionality. Reports of a weak low end by some owners. Battery lifespan is middling.

Sony ULT Field 7 Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

What got us vibing – Big on battery power. Party-sized stereo sound transducers. Option to connect other speakers. Karaoke function. Fun music-syncing device ambient lighting. ULT button bass boost. 7-Band Equalizer. IP67 waterproofing.

For anyone who doesn’t put portability at the top of their shopping list, the Sony ULT Field 7 is an exceptional outdoor wireless speaker. The larger frame equals a bigger battery, so 30 hours of backyard partying is perfectly possible. And that’s with boombox sized 46mm stereo tweeters and massive 114mm dual woofers, too. Still, at 20 inches long and almost 9 inches tall, we were forced to relax our definition of portable. Sure, the 13.8 lb barrel-style bluetooth device can be picked up and carried around, but it’ll take a little effort.

Solving the identity crisis, staffers began to see the Ult Field 7 as part of a partygoers’ kit. The music-syncing lighting located at either end of the big barrel only served to reinforce that opinion. We pressed the round ULT button on the control panel, boosting bass, cranking up the party beat, and we were rewarded by humungous but balanced mids as the tweeters energized, using the X-Balanced Speaker Unit to generate a broadened stereo image.

The Sony ULT Field 7 had to be carried on someone’s shoulder, again, just like an 80s boombox. Settling it in place, the IP67 seals on the speaker stopped us worrying as cloud cover increased. LDAC support was included, not a surprise as this is a Sony engineered speaker. If that codec breaks up, AAC was on standby to take over. The speaker also pairs to other speakers, features multipoint connectivity and fast pairing, and there’s even the option to plug in a wired mic; if karaoke is part of an evening’s entertainment, try out this speaker and an optional microphone. 

Finally, the 7-band equalizer accessed in the Sony Music Center app was used to finetune the party vibe. With 30 hours of long-lasting battery power, we expected nothing less than a full weekend of backyard dancing, assuming our neighbors were cooperative.

What didn’t hit the right note – It’s big and heavy. A costly outdoor wireless speaker. Bassy audio, which is good for parties, less so for regular listening.

Beats Pill Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

What got us vibing – Superb sound reproduction in a tiny package. 24 hour battery. Stylish looks. IP67 rating. Superior iOS support. Minimal bass distortion. USB-C charging. Carrying lanyard. Lossless audio playback.

The Beats Pill had to be on our list. If it hadn’t, the pop culture fans in our readership would have rebelled. At any rate, it’s an attractive lozenge shaped speaker that comes in five colors. We decided to skip the plain old matte black model, opting instead for light gray. Whichever shade we’d picked, IP67 waterproofing would’ve come standard, shedding water like a pro, be it a light splash or a heavy spill. Inside that diminutive lozenge, advances in woofer and tweeter design made sure big sounds came from a small package.

If we were to name one feature that defines Bluetooth speaker technology, it would be how booming bass and treble sculpted audio can spill out of these tiny casings and grilles without causing any distortion or muddiness. The Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker is the very definition of that truism, proving that great sound doesn’t need a bulky speaker form factor. Better still, all-day listening, using a long-life battery, didn’t mean sacrificing powerhouse performance. The battery can even be directed to take on a second role, that of charging a mobile device via a USB-C wired connection.

Beats Pills are everywhere. While it’s possible this is because of the status attached to the label, we don’t believe that’s the case. Every test we could imagine was used to push the little speaker to its limits. It performed admirably. The bass and treble did come out as focused mono sound, of course, but just like many of the products in this review, it was no problem to pair together two of these speakers, creating full left and right channel stereo.

In the box, a lanyard and USB-C cable were included, helping us to avoid shock impacts, not that they’d trouble this toughened Bluetooth speaker. As for extras, a newly inbuilt 20° tilt feature directs sound more efficiently, and a grippy silicone back prevents slippery drops. Call controls and voice assistant compatibility is also built-in, making the speaker a great hands-free smartphone companion.

What didn’t hit the right note – Aux input is missing. At 24 oz, it’s heavier than expected. Heavy bass profile, which will suit rap and electronic fans.

Choosing Your Perfect Outdoor Bluetooth Companion!

There’s a simple arithmetic you can use when picking your outdoor Bluetooth speaker. Pick big drivers and transducers if you’re a party animal. You’ll need the extra volume for large gatherings. The Sony ULT Field 7 suits that description, but expect a little discomfort across your shoulders from carrying this boombox-like case. For sound quality, it’s hard to go wrong with the Sonos Move 2, although the Bose SoundLink Flex and Anker Soundcore Motion X600 make mighty big attempts to close the performance gap. Mono performance is normally good enough on most of this gear as well, but we’ve covered multi-speaker pairing, where you can buy a second model and pair the two together, creating a wide stereo image.

Battery life and waterproofing are the last two variables in a big buyers’ formula. IP67 seems to be the ideal number, but smaller ingress protection numbers should prove adequate where small spills are likely. All things considered, with battery, sound and usability features like voice assistant compatibility weighed, every one of these outdoor wireless speakers will suit your needs. Just insert budget and enjoy your purchase, whether it’s keeping the beats bumping on a beach, by the pool, or on your next adventure. Happy listening!