The presence of a quality speaker can be a real upgrade to any social or private setting. Picking out one of the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers is a no-brainer if you want to create an ambient atmosphere or set the tone at an outdoor function or get-together. More importantly, a Bluetooth outdoor speaker can be a lifelong investment, serving you for years of parties, gatherings, or warm summer nights spent in the garden.
The purpose of any Bluetooth speaker is to project sound further than your ordinary device can, but it’s not always as simple as loud is better. If you’re a bass junkie, seeking that booming concert experience, then the best Bluetooth speakers for bass will be right up your street. On the other hand, there are Bluetooth speakers that have been designed with sound clarity as the primary intention. These are great speakers for sound quality, they excel at delivering accurate and clear audio, which will compliment a range of music genres.
The best outdoor Bluetooth speakers at a glance:
• The best outdoor Bluetooth speaker: soundcore Boom 2 - View at soundcore
• The best Sony outdoor Bluetooth speaker: Sony SRS-XE200 Waterproof Bluetooth Portable Speaker - View at John Lewis
• The best mini outdoor Bluetooth speaker: JBL GO3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker - View at Currys
When you’re shopping for a new outdoor Bluetooth speaker, there are some technical specs you should look out for – but don’t worry, it’s nothing too complicated. If waterproofing is a non-negotiable, you’ll want to look out for the IPX rating, the higher the number the more resistant that speaker is. Battery life is understandably a big one, portable speakers range from five hours all the way up to 60 in some instances. The Bluetooth rating, power output, and speaker weight are other important specs to keep in mind too.
The best outdoor Bluetooth speakers of 2024:
Please note: All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
The best outdoor Bluetooth speaker overall
soundcore Description
The soundcore Boom 2 offers virtually everything you could possibly want from a Bluetooth outdoor speaker, or any Bluetooth speaker for that matter. It’s super lightweight, and it has a clever built-in handle for ease of transportation. You’re getting 24 hours of listening time – yes, that’ll vary depending on the seven gorgeous LED settings you pick, but it’s far from anything detrimental.
The audio delivery of the soundcore Boom 2 is outrageously good. It has no business delivering sound this rich, and bass this deep in such a portable package and with such an attractive price tag, but it does so effortlessly. Listen comfortably with an IPX7 waterproof rating and get this – this thing actually floats too.
It fits the role of travel companion rather nicely too, doubling as a power bank, so you can charge any of your devices wherever the adventure takes you. We see it being a serious summer essential, we'd just love down the line to see it in some more vibrant colours to match those warmer months.
Pros
- Next level audio clarity and bass delivery, especially outdoors
- Super lightweight and portable
- Light-up feature is intuitive and comes with lots of options
- Exceptional 24-hour battery life, fit for adventure
Cons
- More vibrant colour options would be a hit for some users
The best JBL outdoor Bluetooth speaker
Curryswww.currys.co.uk
Description
The JBL Boombox 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker delivers powerful, high-quality sound with deep bass. Its long-lasting battery ensures up to 24 hours of playtime, so it's spot on for outdoor adventures. Waterproof and portable, it's the ultimate audio companion for the outdoors. It's not the lightest, but that weight only paves the way for the super sound projection of this speaker.
Pros
- Up to 24 hours battery life
- Booming sound
- Perfect for outdoor, open space
Cons
- Not lightweight
The best outdoor Bluetooth flame speaker
AmazonDescription
The Blonbar LED Flame Speaker combines captivating, warm LED lighting with high-quality audio. This ambient Bluetooth speaker offers a unique atmosphere with its realistic flame effect, perfect for indoor or outdoor settings. Portable and durable, it enhances any gathering with both light and sound.
Pros
- 10 hours listening time
- 96 LEDs look gorgeous
- Great value
Cons
- Connection issues from time to time
The best budget Anker outdoor Bluetooth speaker
AmazonDescription
The Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker boasts exceptional clarity and deep, thumping bass with its advanced audio technology. With a 24-hour battery life, IPX7 waterproof rating, and robust build, it's designed for anywhere life takes you. Experience sound like never before. It's just a pity that this speaker isn't supported by the Anker Soundcore app.
Pros
- Multiple colours available
- Excellent value
- Reputable brand
Cons
- Not supported by the Anker Soundcore app
The best Sony outdoor Bluetooth speaker
John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
Description
Prepare for crystal-clear sound, powerful bass, and a durable design with the Sony SRS-XE200 Waterproof Bluetooth Portable Speaker. With its IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, 16-hour battery life, and easy portability, it's a brilliant audio companion for any adventure. There's said to be a small lack in sound clarity with some music genres, classical being one of them.
Pros
- Perfect for every occasion
- High quality, widespread sound
- 16-hour battery life, ten minutes of charge provide 70 minutes
Cons
- Lack of clarity in some music genres
The best budget Sony outdoor Bluetooth speaker
John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
Description
The Sony SRS-XB100 Extra Bass Waterproof Bluetooth Portable Speaker impresses with deep, punchy bass and clear audio in a compact design. With the reliable IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating and Extra Bass feature, it's built to bring powerful sound to your outdoor spaces.
Pros
- 16 hours listening time
- Super portable
- Solid value for money
Cons
- Sound quality won’t blow you away
The best outdoor Bluetooth speaker for parties
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Description
The Sony MHCV73D High Power Bluetooth Party Speaker transforms any space, outdoor or indoor, into a dynamic venue with rich sound and booming bass. Featuring built-in party lights, karaoke modes, and DJ effects, it connects seamlessly via Bluetooth, ensuring an unforgettable audio experience for any event.
Pros
- Super powerful speaker jet bass booster
- Handy remote control included
- Awesome LED light up feature
Cons
- Some of the panel covers can be tricky to open up
The best mini outdoor Bluetooth speaker
Curryswww.currys.co.uk
Description
The JBL GO3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker offers surprisingly big audio and punchy bass in a compact, waterproof design. With its eye-catching style and ultra-portable size, it's perfect for on-the-go music lovers. Enjoy vintage JBL sound with 5 hours of playtime anywhere you go.
Pros
- Extremely portable
- So may colours available
- Small but mighty
Cons
- Five hours battery life won’t be enough for some
The best mid-priced outdoor Bluetooth speaker
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Description
The fairly priced JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth Speaker delivers powerful, high-quality sound with deep bass and clear highs. You're getting a long-lasting battery offering 20 hours of listening time, waterproof design, and party-boost capability, it's ideal for outdoor use. Charge your devices on the go with its built-in power bank.
Pros
- Decent value for money
- 20 hours of play time
- Reputable speaker brand
Cons
- No buttons on the speaker for skipping songs
The most practical outdoor Bluetooth speaker
AmazonDescription
The W-KING Bluetooth Speaker is as durable and practical an outdoor speaker as they come. It offers exceptional sound quality with powerful bass and crystal-clear highs. Boasting a long battery life, waterproof design, and robust construction, it's perfect for any adventure. Seamlessly connect to your devices for an uninterrupted audio experience wherever you go. You can even charge your devices with the built-in power bank.
Pros
- Whopping 40-hour listening time
- Can charge other devices
- Super durable, designed for adventures
Cons
- Doesn’t perform as well at low volumes
FAQs
Are outdoor speakers waterproof?
Yes, if a speaker is advertised as an outdoor speaker, then it'll typically be waterproof to a certain extent. When buying an outdoor speaker, you need to keep an eye out for its waterproof rating. This is called the IPX rating, and anything between IPX4 and IPX7 is ideal. IPX4 speakers can take light splashes of water, but speakers with IPX7 can be submerged in water for up to half an hour.
How do Bluetooth speakers work?
Modern Bluetooth speakers are simple to operate. As long as you have a Bluetooth compatible device like a smartphone, tablet, or computer, you'll be able to connect - this is done through a process called pairing. You activate the pairing function on the speaker, typically by pressing or holding a button. Now, simply go onto the device you wish to connect, bring up the Bluetooth settings and your speaker should pop up as an option to connect to.
How much are Bluetooth speakers?
What's great about the market for Bluetooth speakers, is just how diverse it is. No matter your budget, you can get your hands on a quality model from a quality brand. Perhaps you're looking for the best budget Bluetooth speaker, you'll find it - the same goes for more high-end products too. At What's the Best, we've found Bluetooth speakers as cheap as £15, and as expensive as £1000.
Jack Barrell is a Tech and Fitness Writer for What’s the Best. He is invested in all things entertainment and keeps well up to date with the latest sports and exercise trends too. On his off days Jack can usually be found doing one of two things; lifting heavy weights – or watching his favourite Star Wars for the thousandth time.