The Best Outdoor Speakers

Speaker technology has evolved at such a startling pace that it’s easy to forget that not so long ago, we needed a hefty receiver and CD player with a series of analog connections just to enjoy our favorite tunes. Even if you were lucky enough to have the most advanced and powerful audio equipment around, the idea of bringing your unwieldy rig outdoors and into the elements was patently ludicrous. Thanks to a combination of advanced audio technology and more effective waterproofing materials, it’s now possible to blast your favorite music outdoors—even in the rain. Indeed, the outdoor speaker revolution has ushered in a wide range of powerful single-speakers and stereo systems that can be used outdoors. Whether you’re only looking for a simple system to take with you on camping trips, or a more advanced rig that can power your once-a-week patio parties, there’s something on this list for every type of speaker enthusiast. Before buying a speaker, you should ensure that it promises superb sound quality, connectivity, and durability. You can choose between a wired or wireless option; just make sure it has an excellent battery life if you pick the latter. Here are some of the best outdoor speakers on the market in 2022.

We don’t generally like giving our number-one spot to relatively expensive gear, but when it comes to sonic quality, build, portability, and overall design, these Polk Audio Atrium 6 Speakers reign supreme. Ideal for the truly adventurous who don’t want to sacrifice sonic quality even in the middle of adverse outdoor conditions, these intrepid speakers are built to exceed baseline industrial and military specifications for environmental endurance, which means that members of the armed forces wouldn’t have an issue trusting these speakers to deliver essential communications from the field. You don’t have to be a Navy SEAL to enjoy all these speakers have to offer since they’re equally well-suited for more mundane and less-terrifying garden parties or random outdoor gatherings. They feature anodized aluminum tweeter domes that are capable of withstanding everything from wind to rain and even snow, and they deliver a remarkably smooth and detailed high-end that’s ideal for virtually every type of music. These speakers don’t skimp when it comes to the low-end, either. Thanks to a frequency range of 12kHz to 20kHz, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite bass-heavy jams without issue. These speakers also feature a broad coverage baffle design that brilliantly maximizes critical mid and high-frequency dispersions over large areas (something that’s critically important while listening to music outdoors, where a lack of walls tends to lead to muddled sonics and empty bass). They even come with a streamlined speed-lock mounting system for easy, safe, one-handed installations in virtually any environment. This tool comes especially in handy when you’re on a trail and lack the basic go-to structures that can be used to secure a speaker system in the home or even in your backyard. Since every piece of exposed hardware on these units is crafted from grade-A stainless steel and brass, you’ll never have to worry about rust.

Pros

• Superb sound quality
• Easy installation
• Durable and weatherproof
• Stainless steel and brass hardware

Cons

• Wired connection only
• Pricey

Specification

• Price $349.00
• Mounting Type Outside Mount,Atrium
• Connectivity Technology Auxiliary
• Speaker Type Outdoor

Bose has been a leading audio equipment brand for many years, so it’s no surprise that they have a contender in the best outdoor speakers on the market: the Bose 251 Environmental Outdoor Speakers. You can choose between a Black or White model, which offers bundles with an amplifier and speaker wire. These speakers deliver well-balanced stereo sound that can cover a large area, perfect for those who plan to place them in a spacious backyard. It features a durable design with a Mineral and glass-filled polypropylene cabinet, and its water-resistant composite casing ensures that it won’t get damaged when the weather gets too hot or cold. You can expect the speaker to give a clearer sound because of its articulated array speaker design, and its multi-chamber bass enclosure promises a powerful sound with reduced audible distortion. The Bose 251 Environmental Outdoor Speakers has a frequency response of 10 Hz to 200 kHz and a speaker sensitive of 88 dB. The speaker is perfect for mounting to the wall of your backyard, and customers will already get the necessary mounting hardware needed for its installation.

Pros

• Weatherproof
• Well-balanced stereo sound with excellent bass and reduced audible distortion
• Easy installation

Cons

• Wired connection only
• Can't adjust sound from the speakers
• Expensive

Specification

• Price $398.00
• Mounting Type Wall Mount
• Connectivity Technology Wired
• Speaker Type Outdoor; Indoor; Wall-Mount

Many care about the overall aesthetic of their backyard, and if you’re one of the people who don’t like a standard speaker that doesn’t match the vibe of your residence, you can go for a more discreet speaker like the Klipsch AWR-650-SM Outdoor Rock Speaker. This speaker system is designed like a rock, so people won’t even notice it. You can pick between a sandstone or granite finish, and you can rest assured that the speakers will survive any type of weather because of their durable UV-resistant enclosure. The speaker produces the same high-quality audio you can expect from a pair of indoor speakers. It features a two-way design with dual polymer dome tweeters and a dual voice coil polymer woofer. Thanks to the speaker’s dual tweeters, it can precisely play right and left stereo signals. The speakers don’t have wireless connectivity, so it’s advisable to use it with a music player that supports wired connections. The Klipsch AWR-650-SM Outdoor Rock Speaker costs around $260 per speaker, so you will spend a significant amount on building a reliable backyard speaker system.

Pros

• Discreet design
• Excellent audio quality
• Rich bass

Cons

• Pricey
• Wired connection only

Specification

• Price $259.12
• Mounting Type Speaker
• Connectivity Technology Wired
• Speaker Type Outdoor

The OSD Audio AP650 is a fantastic choice for those who want a valuable pair of outdoor speakers that come with a reasonable price tag. You can confidently leave the speakers mounted outdoors because it’s IPX6 rated, so they can withstand water and dust. It has a fully-sealed design, so you don’t have to worry about any bugs or insects crawling inside it. Its powder-coated grille ensures it will look great for many years since it’s rust-resistant. Mounting the speakers onto a wall isn’t too complicated, and you already get mounting brackets in the package. These flexible brackets allow you to tilt and rotate the speakers to find the best placement possible. The speakers come with a sensitivity of 91 dB and a frequency response of 37Hz to 22kHz. Since it doesn’t have auxiliary ports or Bluetooth connectivity, you will need a receiver or amplifier to play songs from your mobile devices. The OSD Audio AP650 can cover around 1,500 square feet of living space, and you can expect it to deliver superb sound quality and bass for any genre of music. You don’t have to worry about spending too much per speaker because you get a pair of speakers for less than $200.

Pros

• Excellent audio quality for its price
• IPX6 water and dust resistance
• Fully-sealed design

Cons

• No Aux port
• No Bluetooth

Specification

• Price $194.99
• Mounting Type Wall Mount
• Connectivity Technology Speaker wire
• Speaker Type Outdoor

If you have the budget to buy the best of the best, the Sonos Outdoor Architectural Speakers are a great pair of high-end outdoor speakers. These speakers were built for listening to your favorite tunes on your patio or backyard. Since these are wired speakers, you will need an amplifier to play your music. It would be best to use it with the Sonos Amp, but you have to expect to spend a sizeable amount for the entire setup. Users can connect up to three pairs of the Sonos Outdoor Architectural Speakers with a single Sonos Amp. The speakers feature a durable design that can survive the heat, humidity, UV rays, salt spray, water, and cold weather. It can achieve rich mid and low frequencies thanks to its high-excursion pivoting woofer, and its one-inch tweeter delivers crisp and high frequencies. The speaker has a 55Hz – 20KHz frequency response and an 89 dB sensitivity. You have to note that these speakers are large in size, but their modern and stylish design can make them match any modern abode. All the necessary mounts are included with the speakers, but you can seek help from a Sonos pro if you want it to get installed by an expert.

Pros

• Rich and crisp sound with decent midrange
• Durable and weatherproof

Cons

• Expensive
• Bulky design

Specification

• Price $699.00
• Mounting Type Outside Mount
• Connectivity Technology Wired
• Speaker Type Outdoor