Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers System: The Ultimate Guide

Nowadays, an outdoor Bluetooth speakers system comes in every possible shape, size, and price. The Devialet Gold Phantom Opera de Paris will set you back a cool $3000, while a Soundbot 510 waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker can be had for as little as $15. 

The Klipsch AWR-650-SM looks like a rock while the Vincilee LED Flame portable wireless speaker resembles a lantern. Some outdoor Bluetooth speakers like the 9oz OontZ Angle 3 (3rd Gen) are so light you’ll forget you’re even carrying one, while speakers like the Soundboks 2 at 36lbs may require some limbering up before you grapple with them!

Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers System
Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers System

Whatever kind of outdoor Bluetooth speakers system you’re seeking for your audio setup, there’s one main choice to be made first: fixed or portable?

How to choose the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems for you.

There are actually two different ways to have an outdoor Bluetooth audio setup. The first consists of having wireless Bluetooth speakers that connect directly with a Bluetooth device such as your phone. This is the most common setup for most portable outdoor speakers.

The second method is to have speakers that are wired to a receiver which connects to the Bluetooth device. This is most common for fixed outdoor speakers. There are several reasons for having a receiver:

  • Many Bluetooth speakers cannot be paired with other speakers or can only be paired with one other speaker. With a receiver you can control multiple speakers.
  • Most receivers contain an amplifier as many fixed outdoor speakers are passive and need one to operate. Conversely, most outdoor portable Bluetooth speakers are active.

Receivers for outdoor Bluetooth speakers do not need to be situated outdoors, which means it’s fine to use indoor receivers. This is cheaper as the receiver, unlike the speaker, doesn’t have to be weatherproofed.

Fixed outdoor sound systems

The best outdoor sound system depends on your needs. Fixed outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems have the following advantages:

  • They are usually properly weatherproof.
  • As they don’t need to be carried around, the materials are often more durable than portable models.
  • Mounting hardware is normally supplied with the speaker.
  • They can be painted to match the color of your house. It’s worth removing the grill first and covering over the speaker interior to make sure you don’t foul any working parts such as tweeters or ports.
  • You can buy them singly, in pairs, fours or sixes or more, depending on your needs.
  • They are less easy to steal as they are permanently attached.
  • Bluetooth patio speakers often come with mounting poles you can stick in the ground like outdoor candles or lights. As I mentioned, you can even buy outdoor Bluetooth rock speakers and sink them partially into the ground to maintain your garden’s aesthetic.

Fixed outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems also have a number of disadvantages:

  • They can be more expensive than outdoor portable speakers.
  • If they do not have Bluetooth built-in, they will need a separate receiver.
  • If they are passive, they will need a separate amplifier which must be matched to the speaker. As I mentioned, a receiver normally has an amplifier built-in.
  • It’s harder to protect them from the elements as they are left out all year even if not being used.

Portable outdoor sound systems

Portable Outdoor Sound System

Portable Bluetooth speakers systems come with their own advantages:

  • They are usually lighter as they are obviously designed to carry around. However, as mentioned, some so-called ‘portable’ Bluetooth speakers can be heavier than their fixed counterparts.
  • They are also usually cheaper. 
  • They generally do not need a receiver or amplifier.
  • They can be kept inside in the dry when not being used, so maintaining their life.

Portable Bluetooth speakers systems also come with disadvantages:

  • They are also usually less durable. As they are designed primarily to be portable, the manufacturers need to use lightweight materials such as plastic.
  • It is often harder, or impossible to pair more than two.
  • They are often less weatherproof, although some are waterproof to IPX5, 6 or even 7.
  • They are easier to steal.

How do you set up outdoor wireless speakers? 

This article can’t go into the details of every separate set-up needed. It depends on the type of speaker, the hardware, (usually brackets), that come with the speakers (although you can always use another attachment of your choosing) and what surface you are fixing them to.

However, most outdoor Bluetooth speakers are simple to install using just a drill, screwdriver, caulking gun and not much else.

If they need a receiver or amplifier, the most important thing is to use the correct cable. If they are Bluetooth, then you need to make sure they will be in range. Bluetooth can vary depending on what version your speakers use anywhere from 33 to 150 feet. Also remember that obstructions such as walls can shorten the signal length.

It may seem obvious, but before actually attaching any fixed outdoor speakers in position, it’s worth placing the elements of the setup as near as possible to where they’ll be when the installation is finished. Then check that your speakers actually are within range and also, that they produce enough volume and that the sound quality is good. Placing speakers high up, for instance can increase the distance over which you can hear them, but it also decreases the bass. 

Fixed outdoor Bluetooth Speakers Systems

Cell phone app wireless streaming music to speakers.

Best overall fixed outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: Bose 251 environmental speakers 

Bose 251 environmental speakers

These Bose outdoor Bluetooth speakers, like the rest of Bose’s impressive audio range, are made from top quality components, designed to give you years of trouble-free musical enjoyment despite being outdoors. The sound quality is equally impressive.

What do you get in the box?

  • 2 x Bose 251 environmental speakers.
  • 2 x mounting brackets.

Colors: Black or White. 

Size: At 4.49 x 5.98 x 12.4 inches, the Bose 251 is a mid-sized outdoor speaker.

Weight: 20.2 lbs is on the heavy side for outdoor speakers, but that reflects the build quality.

What do they sound like?

The Bose 251s have a single 5.28 inch woofer, 2 x full-range 2.49 inch drivers and 2 x 2.5 inch ‘twiddlers’. They are precisely positioned in what Bose calls an “Articulated Array” to “produce a wide, consistent audio field.” The Bose 251s kick out around 100 Watts which is enough for a pair to fill a medium-sized garden.

Do they need an amplifier or receiver?

Yes. Bose produces a SA-3 amplifier package that is matched perfectly to these speakers.

Are they weatherproof?

In short, yes. In Bose’s words they “are engineered to withstand harsh conditions. The weather resistant speakers are designed and tested to handle rain, snow, salt and temperature extremes of 60 C to -30 C.” So you should be fine unless you live in Miami or Fairbanks.

Conclusion

The Bose 251s aren’t cheap, but for the money they are top of the range. All but indestructible, they are made from quality components with a lifetime guarantee.

Buy the Bose 251s on Amazon

Toughest fixed outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: Polk Audio Atrium 6 

Polk Audio Atrium 6

The Bose 251s are pretty tough speakers, only rivaled by the Polk Audio Atrium 6. Polk has been making outdoor speakers for some time and the Atrium 4s and 5s are excellent speakers. But in the Atrium 6, Polk has made a speaker that not only sounds great, but that lasts great too.

What do you get in the box?

  • 2 x Polk Audio Atrium 6s.
  • 2 x speaker grilles.
  • 2 x speaker brackets.

Colors: The Atrium 6 comes in black or white and is fully paintable. As the grills are separate in the box, if you do want to paint the speakers, this saves you the trouble of detaching them.

Size: At 8.8 x 7.8 x 11.8 inches, like the Bose 251s they are easy to handle.

Weight: At 5.4lbs, however, they are much lighter than the Bose 251s, so easier to fit in awkward places.

What do they sound like?

 A 5¼ inch low-frequency driver is teemed with a 1 inch tweeter to give solid bass, and crisp mids and highs. Overall, the sound is well-balanced. Like the Bose 251s, the output is around 100 watts.

Do they need an amplifier or receiver?

Yes, both. 

Are they weatherproof?

In Polk’s words, they are “built to withstand salt air, rain, and extreme hot and cold temperatures.”

Conclusion

The Polk Atrium 6s are truly tough speakers that also sound great in medium to large outdoor areas.

Buy the Polk Audio Atrium 6 on Amazon 

Best budget fixed outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: Dual Electronics LU43P Indoor/Outdoor Speakers

Dual Electronics LU43P Indoor/Outdoor Speakers.

You don’t necessarily have to spend big bucks to get big sounds. The Dual Electronics LU34P may be a budget outdoor speaker, but it’s certainly no lightweight.

What do you get in the box?

  • 2 x Dual Electronics LU43P.
  • 2 x speaker grilles.
  • 2 x mounting brackets.

Colors: Black or white. Unlike the Polk Audio Atrium 6s, it is recommended that you don’t paint them.

Size: At 5.3 x 5.3 x 8.3 inches they are slightly smaller than the Atrium 6s or Bose 251s.

Weight: Despite its ruggedness, the LU43Ps weigh only 2.4 lbs.

What do they sound like?

A low-frequency 4 inch driver is mated with a 1½ inch mid-range driver and a ¾ inch tweeter to produce a well-balanced sound. There’s no real punchy bass, and the mids and highs could be a little sharper, but for the money, it’s pretty damn impressive. And if a 100 watts isn’t enough for you, there’s a 125 watt version.

Do they need an amplifier or receiver?

Yes, both.

Are they weatherproof?

Again, for the money, they are amazingly well weatherproofed.

Conclusion

These inexpensive speakers certainly punch well above their weight when it comes to audio quality. Either use them as your main outdoor speakers or as secondary speakers. Either way, they’re a steal.

Buy the Dual Electronics LU43P Indoor/Outdoor Speakers on Amazon 

Mounted Outdoor Speaker

Loudest budget fixed outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: Pyle PDWR52BTBK Wall Mount Weatherproof Speakers

Pyle PDWR52BTBK Wall Mount Weatherproof Speakers

Okay, there may be louder Bluetooth speakers systems out there – and ones with easier to remember names – but these are certainly among the loudest available while still producing good sound quality for a reasonable outlay.

What do you get in the box?

  • 1 x Pyle PDWR52BTBK active speaker.
  • 1 x Pyle PDWR52BTBK passive speaker.
  • Speaker cable to connect the two.
  • 12V DC Power Adapter.

Color: Black.

Size: At 6.3 x 9.6 x 7.3 inches, you should have no problem fitting these into any available space.

Weight: At 11.9 lbs, they’re not the lightest, but you shouldn’t have much problem installing them.

What do they sound like?

Pyle has paired a 5.25 inch subwoofer with a 1 inch polymer dome tweeter and then thrown 240 watts at it. If that doesn’t satisfy you, there’s also a 300 watt version. The result is deep, but not overpowering bass along with superb crisp mid and highs. And kudos to Pyle – even when driven hard, there is little noticeable distortion.

Do they need an amplifier or receiver?

There is no need for either. One speaker has Bluetooth connectivity (range 30 feet), and also is active, so has its own amplifier that also drives the second passive speaker through a cable.

Are they weatherproof?

The Pyle PDWR52BTBK can cope with most weather due to its marine grade waterproof construction which can withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures.

Conclusion

The Pyle PDWR52BTBK isn’t just about raw power. It also has useful extra features such as a 3.5mm AUX in and gold plated binding post speaker plugs. Probably the most watts per dollar you can buy.

Buy the Pyle PDWR52BTBK Wall Mount Weatherproof Speakers on Amazon 

Best bass-driven fixed outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: Yamaha NS-AW350

Yamaha NS-AW350

If you’re looking for outdoor Bluetooth speakers with serious bass, there are many to choose from. However, the Yamaha NS-AW350s are right up there with the best of them.

What do you get in the box?

  • 2, 4 or 6 x Yamaha NS-AW350s.
  • 2, 4 or 6 x speaker grilles.
  • 2, 4 or 6 x mounting brackets.
  • 2, 4 or 6 x safety wires.
  • 2, 4 or 6 x L-brackets for safety wire.
  • 2, 4 or 6 x speaker bases.

Colors: Black or white. You can paint the Yamaha NS-AW350s. In fact, the user manual devotes an entire page to explaining the best way to paint them.

Size: At 8.1 x 7.1 x 13.5″ they are on the larger size for outdoor speakers. 

Weight: At 6lbs, however, they are among the lightest.

What do they sound like?

Combining a big 6½-inch low-frequency driver with 130 watts naturally produces a seriously punchy bass. However, this isn’t just some fixed boombox, the 1-inch tweeter does its job as well so the mid and high range aren’t swamped. 

Do they need an amplifier or receiver?

Yes. Yamaha states “The speakers will work nicely with amplifiers up to 40 watts per channel, nominal, or 130 watts, peak power.”

Are they weatherproof?

The speakers are weather resistant, but perhaps not entirely weatherproof. Yamaha says “While you wouldn’t want to leave the speakers exposed on, say, the deck of a boat, they are water resistant and designed to withstand light wind and rain.” Which is all well and good, but most of us aren’t lucky enough to live somewhere where the weather never exceeds ‘light wind and rain.’

Conclusion

In some ways Yamaha seems to have made the NS-AW350s and then wondered what the heckl to do with them. They suggest you can bring them in during the cold months and use them indoors as they are magnetically shielded and won’t degrade your TV or video monitor, but who wants an indoor audio setup only during the ‘colder months?’

Nevertheless, the NS-AW350s are about the best bass for buck you’ll find and with thoughtful features like five-way binding posts to simplify connection with several different terminations of speaker cable (including banana plugs), about the best outdoor speaker you’ll find, if only they were more weatherproof.

Buy the Yamaha NS-AW350 on Amazon

Stone Shaped Outdoor Speaker

Best decorative fixed outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: Klipsch AWR-650-SM Outdoor Rock

Klipsch AWR-650-SM Outdoor Rock

Officially the Klipsch AWR-650-SM Outdoor Rock is not actually ‘fixed’ in place, although you can semi-bury them. However, they are designed to stay in one place, so come in the ‘fixed’ category.

What do you get in the box?

1 x Klipsch AWR-650-SM Outdoor Rock speaker. You can buy more and link them up, but the AWR-650-SM is a stereo speaker, so one can work on its own. 

Colors: Granite or sandstone-it’s a rock!

Size: At 11.00 x 15.00 x 17.00 inches it is big, but when sunk in the ground it doesn’t dominate the patio or garden.

Weight: At 13lbs you could carry it around, but its shape and lack of carry handle make it awkward to move about.

What does it sound like?

With a massive 6.5 inch dual voice coil polymer woofer and dual ¾ inch polymer dome tweeters linked to 200 watts, the answer is seriously good. Deep satisfying bass with bright mids and crisp highs – and all from a rock!

Does it need an amplifier or receiver?

Yes, both.

Is it weatherproof?

The whole point of these speakers is that they sit in your garden or on your patio all year round, so they’re very weatherproof and can withstand extremes of temperature.

Conclusion

If you want to maintain the look of your patio or garden and still rock out with an awesome sound system, then the Klipsch AWR-650-SM Outdoor Rock definitely fits the bill. It’s not cheap, but you only need one speaker and can always buy another later on.

Buy the Klipsch AWR-650-SM Outdoor Rock on Amazon

Portable outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems

Creatively shaped portable wireless bluetooth speaker

Best overall portable outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: JBL Charge 4

JBL Charge 4

JBL has made a name for themselves in the portable Bluetooth speaker market and it’s easy to see why. The Charge 3 was an excellent speaker and the Charge 4 is even better. A nice touch is the built-in powerpack to charge your devices when on the move.

What do you get in the box?

  • 1 x JBL Charge 4.
  • 1 x Type C USB cable.
  • 1 x Quick Start Guide.
  • 1 x Warranty Card.
  • 1 x Safety Sheet.

Colors: The JBL Charge 4 comes in a rainbow of colors (well 10):

  • Black
  • Black camo
  • Blue
  • Camouflage
  • Gray
  • Pink
  • Red
  • Sand
  • Teal
  • White
  • Yellow

Size: At 3.50 x 8.50 x 3.40 inches, the JBL Charge 4 is perfect to sling in a rucksack.

Weight: At 3.22 lbs, it’s not the lightest outdoor Bluetooth speaker on the market, so you might notice it in that rucksack if you’re carrying it a long way.

What does it sound like?

With dual passive radiators and 30 watts, the bass is impressive. Indoors it does tend to overpower the mids and highs a little, but it’s not noticeable outdoors. Either way, the mids can be a little muddied, but for the size and price, there’s not much to fault with the sound quality. The volume is also impressive for a Bluetooth speaker this size, although there is some distortion at high levels. Nevertheless, even at half-volume, the JBL Charge 4 can fill a medium-sized room with party sounds and hold its own at a beach or pool party.

How long does the battery last?

JBL uses a Lithium ion Polymer 27Wh rechargeable battery that is equivalent to 3.6 volt, 7500 mAh lithium ion battery. According to JBL this gives up to 20 hours of music streaming, although you’ll need to keep the volume down if you hope to reach that kind of figure. 15 hours is probably more realistic, but that’s still impressive. The recharging time could be better at 4 hours, but at least you won’t have to do it so often.

Is it waterproof?

Yes. In fact it’s waterproof to IPX7 which means officially you can submerge it for up to half an hour in 1 metre of water, but I wouldn’t try it. Rather handily, however, even if your JBL Charge 4 falls into the water, it will initially float, giving you time to grab it.

How do you connect it?

The Charge 4 uses Bluetooth 4.2 which is backward compatible, so it will connect to most Bluetooth-enabled devices. You can actually connect two devices at once, although only one device at a time can control the unit. More usefully, the Charge 4 is compatible with Connect+, which means you can pair your speaker with over a hundred other Connect+ compatible speakers. And the Charge 4 has a 3.5mm AUX in, so you can plug in a non-Bluetooth music source.

Conclusion

The JBL Charge 4 may not be the loudest or the bassiest Bluetooth speaker for the price. And it may not have the longest battery life. But overall it’s hard to beat. 

Buy the JBL Charge 4 on Amazon

Toughest portable outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: Fugoo Tough

Fugoo Tough

Fugoo claims the Tough is “waterproof, snow proof, mud proof, and sand proof” and they have the IPX67 rating to prove it. The ‘6’ in the rating means the device has been proven to be ‘dust-tight’ and the ‘7’ that the device is, in all respects, waterproof. So it may be tough, but what’s it like as an outdoor Bluetooth Speaker?

What do you get in the box?

  • 1 x Fugoo Tough
  • 1 x tough jacket.
  • 1 x USB cable.
  • 1 x hex key 

Colors: Gray and silver.

Size: At 4 x 7 x 9 inches the Fugoo Tough is small enough to slip into almost any bag.

Weight: Even though it’s made from resin and aluminium, it weighs only 1.4lbs, so it’s light enough to take on long trips without fatigue.

What does it sound like?

With its two 1½ inch drivers in the front, two 1⅛ inch tweeters on the side, and rear passive radiator, Fugoo claims the diminutive Tough can pump out almost 100dB. In fact, there’s even a ‘loud mode’ you can use by holding the centre button while you switch it on.

And it is loud. Easily loud enough for an impromptu party in the park. What it lacks in bass, it makes up in the mid and high ranges that are bold and clear.

How long does the battery last?

The lithium-ion battery lasts 10 hours. If you want more, then the XL version lasts up to 40 hours. Of course, neither of these apply if you crank the Tough up to full volume.

Is it waterproof?

Yes – the second part of its IPX67 rating means it is waterproof to IPX7, so you should be okay if you drop it in the pool, so long as you fish it out as soon as you can. However, it’s worth noting IPX ratings only cover water, so don’t dunk it in your buddy’s beer to prove how tough it is.

How do you connect it?

The Tough uses Bluetooth 4.0 and also sports a 3.5mm AUX in. You can also pair two Fugoo Toughs together. Unusually in a speaker this size it has a microphone with echo cancellation and background noise reduction which allows “full-duplex speakerphone calling” along with support for Siri and Google Now. Fugoo aren’t satisfied with digital connections either. As befits such a go-anywhere piece of kit, you can buy a bike mount, a strap mount, multi-mount, a remote control and an accessory pack. 

Conclusion

Fugoo has done a great job of taking a small, light, Bluetooth speaker and supercharging it for the outdoors. And if the Fugoo Tough isn’t man (or woman) enough for you, then the XL version should fit the bill.

Buy the Fugoo Tough on Amazon

Best budget portable outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: OontZ Angle 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

OontZ Angle 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

The OontZ Angle 3 certainly delivers big for a small price. It has amassed a huge following with tens of thousands of 4 and 5 star reviews on Amazon. So what’s all the fuss about?

What do you get in the box?

  • 1 x OontZ Angle 3.
  • 1 x micro USB charging cable.
  • 1 x 3.5mm AUX cable.

Color: Black. 

Size: Only 5.3 x 2.8 x 2.6 inches, the OontZ Angle 3 is one of the smallest outdoor Bluetooth speakers at the price, its size making it easy to slip in a bag, or pocket.

Weight: At a mere 9ozs, the Angle 3 is one of the lightest as well. You might even forget you’re carrying it.

What does it sound like?

The Angle 3 is equipped with two stereo drivers and a passive bass radiator. Obviously you wouldn’t expect a speaker this size and price to kick out a huge amount of sound, especially one rated at 10 watts. The Angle 3, however, is surprisingly loud. And clear, although the bass isn’t particularly evident.

How long does the battery last?

The Angle 3 uses a 2500mAh rechargeable battery that gives 14 hours playback at two-thirds volume which is good, if not stellar.

Is it waterproof?

With a budget outdoor Bluetooth speaker, savings have to be made somewhere and the Angle 3 isn’t fully waterproof. Its IPX5 rating means it can handle the odd splash or light shower, but cannot be partially or fully submerged.

How do you connect it?

The Angle 3 uses Bluetooth 4.2 which gives a range of over 100 feet. It also has a 3.5mm AUX in and built-in microphone.

Conclusion

The OontZ Angle 3 is a great value outdoor portable Bluetooth speaker which is light and compact enough to take anywhere.

Buy the OontZ Angle 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker on Amazon

Loudest portable outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: Soundboks 2 

Soundboks 2 portable speaker
Soundboks 2

There are many differing lists of the loudest Bluetooth speakers, but one speaker that is invariably on all of them, is the Soundboks 2. More a PA system than a speaker, it takes the idea of a Bluetooth speaker to the extreme.

What do you get in the box?

  • 1 x Soundboks 2 speaker.
  • 1 x replaceable battery.
  • 1 x charger.
  • 1 x AUX cable.
  • 1 x manual.

Color: Black

Size: The first thing that strikes you about the Soundboks 2 is its size. At 25.6 x 17 x 13” it’s, as I said, more like a PA speaker than a portable Bluetooth speaker. 

Weight: Then there’s the weight. At a staggering 35.82lbs and made out of Birch and aluminum, it pushes the boundary of what can be called ‘portable’, although you can buy a special backpack attachment to lug it around! Then again, given what’s inside, it’s surprising it isn’t bigger.

What does it sound like?

Is it waterproof?Inside the Soundboks 2 are two massive 10” woofers and a 1” silk dome tweeter powered by three 72 watt, Class D amplifiers. At full volume it produces a staggering 122 dB which, for reference, is the equivalent of being in the front row of a rock concert. And what a concert! Dominated by a thunderous bass, the sound is awesomely loud. And awesomely clear, with crisp mids and piercing highs. The Soundboks 2 can cope with rain, snow, and temperatures down to -4 and up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. It can’t, however, be submerged. But then again, if you dropped this thing overboard, it’s probably not coming up again anyway. 

How do you connect it?

The Soundboks uses Bluetooth 4.2 and includes a 3.5mm AUX in.

How long does the battery last?

Everything about the Soundboks 2 is massive, including the battery. It runs on mains or on a Lithium Iron 12.8V, 7.8Ah rechargeable battery with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) cells. The battery pack weighs 2lbs, which is more than many Bluetooth speakers and measures 5.9 x 2.5 x 3.8 inches, which is the size of many Bluetooth speakers. Having to power such a Goliath, you’d expect the battery to last about as long as a litre of fuel in a Bugatti Veyron at full throttle. But no, it lasts 40 hours, extendable with swappable packs. Which is quite simply, staggering! Even more amazing, is that the charging time is only 3.5 hours, less than many much smaller and less powerful Bluetooth speakers.

Conclusion

The Soundboks 2 is an exercise in excess. And as such, it succeeds brilliantly. The only drawback is the price, which is as excessive as everything else about it.

Buy the Soundboks 2 on Amazon

Best bass-driven portable outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: Aiwa Exos-9 

Aiwa Exos-9

The trend for portable Bluetooth speakers to kick out more and more bass doesn’t seem to be slowing down. So who’s winning the bass war? There may be a few contenders, but for me, the Aiwa Exos-9 is certainly up there with the leaders.

What do you get in the box?

  • 1 x Aiwa Exos-9.
  • 1 x power cable.
  • 1 x removable battery pack.
  • 1 x 3.5mm AUX cable.

Color: Black

Size: The Exos-9 isn’t exactly the most portable of outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems. At 7.50 x 11.70 x 19.40 inches you’re going to have trouble slinging this in your rucksack.

Weight: The Exos-9 isn’t exactly the lightest outdoor Bluetooth speaker, either. At 13lbs, if you can find a rucksack big enough to accommodate it without a problem, you’ll notice the weight. 

What does it sound like?

The Aiwa Exos-9 obviously isn’t about portability, but about sound. With 5 drivers, including a 6.5″ dual-voice coil subwoofer, it puts out 200 watts of thunderous bass and gloriously undistorted mids and highs, even when pushed towards full volume. There’s a 5-band graphic equalizer on board too, so you can get the balance just right for you.

How long does the battery last?

The Lithium Polymer battery lasts a decent 9 hours, and you can buy additional quick-swap packs to keep the music pumping.

Is it waterproof?

In a word, no. Nor would I drop it. This is no Fugoo Tough.

How do you connect it?

The Exos-9 uses Bluetooth 4.2 and has NFC to allow quick and easy connecting to most Bluetooth-enabled devices. It also includes a 3.5mm AUX in and you can pair two in stereo – but you might need to warn the neighbors!

Conclusion

At 13lbs and almost 20 inches long, it’s not very portable. Neither is it very ‘outdoors’ as it’s neither dust, nor water, proof. However, at around a quarter of the price of a Soundboks 2, you can’t get much more bass or volume for the money.

Buy the Aiwa Exos-9 on Amazon

Best battery-life of portable outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: Altec Lansing IMW778-BLU Omnijacket Ultra 

Altec Lansing IMW778-BLU Omnijacket Ultra

One of the chief problems with outdoor Bluetooth speakers is they use a lot of battery power and the last thing you want is to run out of juice when you’re partying out in the wilds with no way of recharging your speakers. The problem is also exasperated outdoors because you need to play your music at a higher volume than indoors. The answer may very well be the Altec Lansing Omnijacket Ultra.

What do you get in the box?

  • 1 x Altec Lansing IMW778-BLU Omnijacket Ultra.
  • 1 x USB cable.
  • 1 x  AC adaptor.
  • 1 x universal mount.
  • 1 x  3.5mm AUX cable.
  • 1 x  quick start guide.
  • 1 x  warranty.

Colors: Blue or red.

Size: The Omnijacket Ultra is no micro outdoor speaker. At 10.50 x 7.70 x 4.80 inches you’ll need to make sure you leave room in your rucksack, but its rugged construction means you’ll be fine so long as you don’t have an icepick in there as well.

Weight: The Omnijacket Ultra weighs in at a not inconsiderable 5.49 lbs, certainly not the lightest available, but not the heaviest either.

What does it sound like?

Incorporating dual 1.2 inch tweeters, dual 2 neodymium woofers and a passive radiator the sound is rich across the whole spectrum, with a nice, but not overpowering bass. And it’s loud too!

How long does the battery last?

Obviously the main reason for buying an Omnijacket Ultra is for that battery which gives up to a staggering 60 hours of music streaming.

Is it waterproof?

Yes. It has an IPX67 rating which means it’s actually dirt, snow, sand and rain proof as well. And it floats!

How do you connect it?

The Omnijacket Ultra connects via Bluetooth or a 3.5mm AUX in. It has NFC, a built-in microphone and hands-free speakerphone, a handy smartphone charger and you can pair two together.

Conclusion

There may be lighter or more portable Bluetooth speakers, but you won’t find many that sound this good with such an amazing battery life.

Buy the Altec Lansing IMW778-BLU Omnijacket Ultra on Amazon

Splash proof speaker

Best waterproof portable outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: AOMAIS GO Bluetooth Speaker

AOMAIS GO Bluetooth Speaker

Outdoor speakers need to be rugged and/or waterproof, but it’s surprising how many are neither. The Aomais Go is both.

What do you get in the box?

Colors

  • Black
  • Blue
  • Gentle Blue
  • Green
  • Purple

Size: The Aomais Go is a manageable 7 X 14 X 4 inches with a handy carry handle that makes it truly portable. 

Weight: Despite its ruggedness, it weighs only 62 ounces, so is effortless to carry around.

What does it sound like?

Two 15 watt full-range drivers, a 10 watt tweeter and two passive radiators kick out a surprising amount of quality sound. The bass is full and the mids and highs, sharp. Even at higher volumes, there’s very little distortion.

How long does the battery last?

The Aomais GO has a 1000mAh battery that can stream music for an impressive 40 hours, although if you play it at more than half-volume, that figure will decrease rapidly. The recharging time is not so hot at 3-4 hours.

Is it waterproof?

Yes. The Aomais Go has an IPX7 rating.

How do you connect it?

The Aomais Go uses Bluetooth 5.0 or a 3.5mm AUX in. It also has Karaoke mode, hands-free speakerphone and a charging port for your devices. And you can pair two together.

Conclusion.

As well as being waterproof, the Aomais Go has a lot of extra features. It also has impressive sound quality and volume, along with excellent battery life. All in all, it’s hard to beat.

Buy the AOMAIS GO Bluetooth Speaker on Amazon

Best decorative portable outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems: Vincilee LED Flame Speaker Wireless Bluetooth

Vincilee LED Flame Speaker Wireless Bluetooth

Sometimes you want to listen to your favorite music outdoors, but you don’t want the speaker to dominate. And sometimes it’s just fun combining light and sound. The Vincilee LED Flame Speaker does both.

What do you get in the box?

  • 1 x  Vincilee BTS-596 LED Flame Wireless Speaker.
  • 1 x  mini USB charger cable.
  • 1 x  user manual.

Color: Black.

Size: At 7 x 4 x 4 inches the Vincilee LED Flame is compact enough to carry around, although most people would probably use it in the garden or on the patio.

Weight: At only 14 ounces, it’s light enough to take with you on a romantic boat cruise, or camping trip.

What does it sound like?

Okay, you have to expect combination devices like this to be a compromise. The Vincilee LED Flame only puts out 3 watts, but the sound is stereo and surprisingly good for such a small, inexpensive speaker. Just don’t expect much bass or volume.

What’s the light like?

The light consists of 60 LEDs that produce a warm, dancing orange flame that’s really quite realistic.

How long does the battery last?

The 1200mAh Lithium-ion battery is hardly state of the art, lasting 3-4 hours. The charging time for such a small battery is a surprising 3 hours.

Is it waterproof?

No.

How do you connect it?

The Vincilee Led Flame connects via Bluetooth 4.2. There’s no AUX in. You can, however, connect two together and there’s a Micro SD (TF) card.

Conclusion

If you want a portable outdoor Bluetooth speaker that also induces a romantic atmosphere for a small outlay, the Vincilee LED Flame is a good choice.

Buy Vincilee LED Flame Speaker Wireless Bluetooth on Amazon

FAQs

What are the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers?

This is obviously a matter of opinion. I believe the Bose 251 environmental speakers are among the best fixed outdoor Bluetooth speakers systems for the money, while the JBL Charge 4 is one of the most impressive portable Bluetooth speakers for the price.

Where to buy outdoor speakers?

The most popular online marketplace to buy outdoor Bluetooth speakers is Amazon. Otherwise, the best place to start is your local audio store.

How do I choose outdoor speakers?

You need to consider a variety of factors including:

  • Whether you want a fixed [anchor link] or portable [anchor link] outdoor Bluetooth speakers system.
  • Whether you want passive or active speakers. [link to post: Active vs Passive speakers]
  • Whether you require an amplifier or receiver.
  • How much your budget is, not forgetting to include allowances for speaker cable if needed.

How are outdoor Bluetooth speakers powered?

Fixed [anchor link] outdoor Bluetooth speakers are normally powered by an amplifier, often built into a receiver. Portable [anchor link] outdoor Bluetooth speakers can normally be powered by mains or rechargeable battery.

What do I need for outdoor speakers?

If they have Bluetooth, then only a Bluetooth-enabled device, such as a smartphone. If they don’t, you’ll need a speaker cable and a receiver. If the speaker is passive, you’ll also need an amplifier (often built-in to the receiver).

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