As awesome as that is, choosing the right wireless speaker for your next adventure can be a daunting task since there are hundreds available out there. To make things easier, we’ve rounded up a few of the best outdoor stereos currently on offer. Read all about them, and make the right choice. The Move includes two class-D digital amplifiers tuned to match the speaker drivers. You also get a downward-firing tweeter that evenly disperses high frequencies for a wider soundstage, while the mid-range and bass are handled by a mid-woofer. The result is a rich and immersive sound output that’s perfectly tuned to your listening environment. The Move uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless connectivity and also features top-mounted capacitive touch controls for effortless operation. Its built-in battery is rated for up to 11 hours of continuous music playback, and can be easily juiced up by docking the speaker into its bundled charging base. Dimensions: 6.25 x 4.9 x 9.3 in. | Weight: 6.6 lbs | Type: Smart Speaker | Wired/Wireless: Wireless | Controls: Capacitive touch | Connection: Bluetooth / Wi-Fi The rugged portable speaker also comes with a tear-resistant strap that lets you fasten it to a backpack, your bike’s handlebar, or just about anything else. Despite its small size, the SoundLink Micro packs in a custom-designed transducer and dual passive radiators that deliver a powerful sound output. There’s Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, and the integrated voice prompts make for a fuss-free usage experience. Using the companion “Bose Connect” smartphone app, you can personalize audio settings and manage connected devices. The SoundLink Micro also includes a built-in speakerphone for hands-free calls and has a battery endurance rating of up to six hours on a single charge. It’s available in three different color options: Black, Bright Orange, and Midnight Blue. Dimensions: 3.8 x 3.8 x 1.4 in. | Weight: .64 lbs | Type: Smart Speaker | Wired/Wireless: Wireless | Controls: Tactile Buttons | Connection: Bluetooth Wireless connectivity is handled using Bluetooth, and there’s also a 3.5mm audio port included for wired music playback. Not only that, you can use the companion “JBL Portable” smartphone app to amplify the audio output even further by connecting more than 100 (supported) speakers wirelessly. The Charge 4 comes with case-mounted button controls that allow you to conveniently access all of its functions (e.g. play/pause, volume up/down, and Bluetooth pairing), and there’s also an array of five LEDs at the bottom for monitoring the battery charge level. Speaking of which, the speaker is backed by a 7,500mAh battery that can provide up to 20 hours of music playback when fully charged. Dimensions: 8.6 x 3.75 x 3.6 in. | Weight: 2.12 lbs | Type: Bluetooth Speaker | Wired/Wireless: Wireless | Controls: Tactile Buttons | Connection: 3.5mm, Bluetooth Backed by an IPX7 rating, the Roll 2 works great even after being immersed in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. Furthermore, it comes with an inflatable float that lets you enjoy music when you’re in the pool. The speaker uses Bluetooth for wireless connectivity over a range of up to 100 feet and can connect with two source devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets) at the same time. Conversely, you can also use a single device to wirelessly stream music to two speakers. The Roll 2 has a battery endurance rating of up to nine hours on a full charge and features an integrated bungee so it can be strapped to just about anything. Dimensions: 5.3 x 2.16 x 1.6 in. | Weight: .72 lbs | Type: Bluetooth speaker | Wired/Wireless: Wireless | Controls: Tactile buttons | Connection: 3.5mm, Bluetooth Wireless connectivity is handled via Bluetooth, and you can even pair two speakers with a single source device (e.g. smartphones, tablets) for an amplified audio output. The Soundcore 2 features top-mounted button controls for easy access to all its functions, including play/pause, volume up/down, and Bluetooth pairing. Perhaps the speaker’s best feature is its 5200mAh battery, which takes advantage of built-in power management technology to provide a continuous playback time of up to 24 hours. This essentially means that the Soundcore 2 can play up to 500 songs once it’s completely charged. Dimensions: 4.1 x 7.6 x 2.2 in. | Weight: 1.4 lbs | Type: Bluetooth speaker | Wired/Wireless: Wireless | Controls: Tactile buttons | Connection: 3.5mm, Bluetooth Thanks to its IPX7 rating, the Boom 2 works flawlessly even after being submerged in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. You get Bluetooth for wireless connectivity over a range of 100 feet, and the speaker can connect to two source devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets) at the same time. Apart from that, a 3.5mm audio port and NFC are included in the mix too. The Boom 2 features a D-Ring at the bottom, which can be removed to access the standard tripod insert that allows for easy mounting. Other notable additions include app support (for extra functionality such as equalizer presets), and a battery life of up to 15 hours. Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 8.5 in. | Weight: 2.2 lbs | Type: Bluetooth speaker | Wired/Wireless: Wireless | Controls: Tactile buttons | Connection: 3.5mm, Bluetooth Perhaps the Clip 3’s most interesting design element is its integrated metal carabiner, which lets you hook it up to anything from your backpack to a belt loop with little to no effort. The speaker’s 1.6-inch transducer produces 3.3W of powerful sound, and you also get a speakerphone (with noise and echo cancellation) for hands-free calls. The Clip 3 uses Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, and comes with a 3.5mm audio port for wired use, too. It’s available in a wide range of color options (e.g. Gold, Teal, and Camo), and features a 1000mAh battery that’s rated for up to 10 hours of music playback on a full charge. Dimensions: 5.4 x 3.8 x 1.8 in. | Weight: .5 lbs | Type: Bluetooth speakers | Wired/Wireless: Wireless | Controls: Tactile buttons | Connection: Bluetooth As far as audio is concerned, the Megaboom 3 sports two 2-inch full-range drivers and two 3.4-inch passive radiators for a 360-degree spatial sound with deeper bass. There’s Bluetooth for wireless connectivity over a range of up to 150 feet, and the top-mounted power and Bluetooth pairing buttons make usage a cakewalk. You also get a third “Magic Button’’ on the top, which can be configured for one-touch access to your playlists on popular music streaming services such as Apple Music and Spotify. The Megaboom 3 has a battery endurance rating of up to 20 hours on a single charge and can be wirelessly connected with up to 150 (supported) speakers for a much bigger audio output. Dimensions: 8.88 x 8.88 x 3.75 in. | Weight: 2.04 lbs | Type: Bluetooth speakers | Wired/Wireless: Wireless | Controls: Tactile buttons | Connection: Bluetooth
If you’d rather have something that’s a bit more portable, take a look at Bose’s SoundLink Micro. The tough speaker offers everything from powerful sound to advanced in-app settings, all at a price that won’t break the bank. David Beren is a tech writer with more than 10 years of experience in the industry. He has written and managed content for tech companies like T-Mobile, Sprint, and TracFone Wireless.
What to Look for in an Outdoor Stereo
Sound quality
The best way to test sound quality is by listening in person, but if you’re buying a speaker online, that’s not possible. However, you can ensure quality audio by having a close look at a few specific specs, most notably the sensitivity rating. Sensitivity is measured in decibels (dB) and indicates how loud the speaker can get. If you buy a speaker in the 86 to 90 dB range, you’ll be in good shape. This is something that depends on the individual requirements. If you just want to enjoy your music when you’re out trekking alone, a basic wireless speaker that streams from a single device would be enough. On the other hand, if you’re planning a beach party or a night in the woods with a group of friends, a portable speaker that can take turns streaming music from multiple devices would definitely be a better option. What exactly does 360-degree sound mean? It refers to the dispersion of sound in all directions from a central point. When you get an outdoor stereo with 360-degree audio output, you don’t have to worry about its “ideal” position and direction. Simply set it up in the middle, and enjoy your music. Which connectivity options should I look for?Portable outdoor stereo speakers generally use Bluetooth for wireless connectivity. That said, a 3.5mm audio port can definitely come in handy for listening to music from older mobile devices (e.g. portable media players), and it saves battery as well.
Portability
If you’re on the move often, it’s important that your speaker can be tossed in your backpack without weighing you down. The best outdoor stereos will have a lightweight, compact design but still produce booming sound. Another factor relating to portability is the battery life, as a dead speaker can really kill the party. Most speakers will average about eight to 24 hours of playtime per charge, depending on how loud you’re playing the music.
Durability
Whether you’re hitting the beach or roaming the great outdoors, you’ll need a speaker that can endure unexpected waves or rain showers. Check the IP rating to determine how waterproof a speaker is: IPX7 is pretty standard, allowing the device to be fully submerged in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
