We purchased the The 7 Best Outdoor Stereos so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full products reviews.
You need the best outdoor stereo to get the most out of your music, whether it’s a backyard party or a camping trip in the woods. There are plenty of portable Bluetooth speakers on the market these days, and many of them are durable enough to serve as outdoor stereo systems. When it comes to features, they don’t cut any corners. The IP65-certified Sonos Move, for example, has touch controls and virtual assistant support, while the IPX7-certified JBL Charge 4 has a large battery that can also charge other devices.
As cool as that is, picking the right wireless speaker for your next adventure can be difficult given the hundreds of options available. To make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best outdoor stereos available right now. Read everything there is to know about them and make the best decision possible.
The Sonos Move (Check latest price on Amazon) is one of the best outdoor stereos you can buy, and it’s jam-packed with features. It has a shock-resistant case and an IP56 rating for increased protection from natural elements like water, dust, and extreme temperatures. Because it’s a smart speaker, it’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control music playback or check the news and weather with just your voice.
Two class-D digital amplifiers tuned to match the speaker drivers are included in the Move. A downward-firing tweeter distributes high frequencies evenly for a wider soundstage, while a mid-woofer handles the mid-range and bass. As a result, you’ll hear a rich, immersive sound that’s perfectly tailored to your listening environment.
The Move has wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as top-mounted capacitive touch controls for simple operation. The speaker’s built-in battery is good for up to 11 hours of continuous music playback and can be easily recharged by docking it into the charging base that comes with it.
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
Bose is a name that needs no introduction when it comes to audio hardware. The SoundLink Micro (Check latest price on Amazon) is one example of the company’s product portfolio, which includes a variety of speakers. Its IPX7-rated shell is made of high-quality silicone rubber and can withstand being submerged in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes.
A tear-resistant strap is included with the rugged portable speaker, allowing you to attach it to a backpack, your bike’s handlebar, or just about anything else. Despite its diminutive size, the SoundLink Micro features a custom-designed transducer and dual passive radiators that produce powerful sound.
There’s Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, and voice prompts are built in for a hassle-free experience. You can personalize audio settings and manage connected devices using the “Bose Connect” smartphone app. The SoundLink Micro also has a built-in speakerphone for making hands-free calls and a battery life of up to six hours on a single charge. Black, Bright Orange, and Midnight Blue are the three color options available.
Dimensions: 3.8 x 3.8 x 1.4 in. | Weight: .64 lbs | Type: Smart Speaker | Wired/Wireless: Wireless | Controls: Tactile Buttons | Connection: Bluetooth
The JBL Charge 4 (Check latest price on Amazon) is a strong and capable outdoor stereo speaker that we recommend. It produces 30W of powerful, full-spectrum sound thanks to a proprietary driver and dual passive bass radiators. The speaker’s exterior is made of a combination of fabric and rubber for added durability, and it has an IPX7 rating, which means it can withstand being submerged in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes.
Bluetooth is used for wireless connectivity, and a 3.5mm audio port is included for wired music playback. Not only that, but you can use the “JBL Portable” smartphone app to wirelessly connect more than 100 (supported) speakers to boost the audio output even more.
The Charge 4 has case-mounted button controls for easy access to all of its functions (such as play/pause, volume up/down, and Bluetooth pairing), as well as an array of five LEDs at the bottom for battery charge monitoring. The speaker is powered by a 7,500mAh battery that, when fully charged, can provide up to 20 hours of music playback.
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
The Ultimate Ears Roll 2 (Check latest price on Amazon) is small enough to be carried anywhere, measuring around 5.3 x 5.3 x 1.6 inches and weighing only 0.7 pounds. Don’t be fooled by its diminutive size; this thing can pump out some seriously loud sound. A 2-inch driver and two 0.75-inch tweeters work in tandem to provide 360-degree audio output.
The Roll 2 has an IPX7 rating and can withstand being submerged in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. It also includes an inflatable float that allows you to listen to music while in the pool. The speaker connects to two source devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets) at the same time using Bluetooth for wireless connectivity over a range of up to 100 feet. You can also use a single device to stream music to two speakers wirelessly.
The Roll 2 has a battery life of up to nine hours on a full charge and can be strapped to just about anything thanks to an integrated bungee.
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
The Soundcore 2 (Check latest price on Amazon) is no exception to Anker’s reputation for providing unbeatable value. It delivers 12W of rich, distortion-free sound thanks to customized neodymium drivers and a digital signal processor (DSP) with dynamic range control. The outdoor stereo speaker also includes Anker’s “BassUp” feature and a patented spiral bass port to boost low-end frequencies, as well as an IPX7 rating for added protection against natural elements like dust and water.
Bluetooth is used for wireless connectivity, and you can pair two speakers with a single source device (e.g. smartphones, tablets) for amplified audio. All of the Soundcore 2’s functions, including play/pause, volume up/down, and Bluetooth pairing, are controlled by top-mounted button controls.
The speaker’s 5200mAh battery, which uses built-in power management technology to provide up to 24 hours of continuous playback, is perhaps its best feature. This essentially means that once fully charged, the Soundcore 2 can play up to 500 songs.
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
Are you looking for a portable speaker with a lot of features and a stylish design? Ultimate Ears Boom 2 (Check latest price on Amazon) is the game for you. Two 1.75-inch drivers combine with two 3.1-inch passive radiators to produce a thunderous 360-degree audio output. The cylindrical housing has a woven fabric wrap-around grill, and the top and bottom plastic panels are joined by a thick rubberized strip that runs the length of the speaker.
The Boom 2 works flawlessly even after being submerged in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes, thanks to its IPX7 rating. The speaker has Bluetooth for wireless connectivity over a 100-foot range, and it can connect to two source devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets) at once. A 3.5mm audio port, as well as NFC, are included in the package.
The bottom of the Boom 2 has a D-Ring that can be removed to access the standard tripod insert for easy mounting. App support (for extra functionality such as equalizer presets) and a battery life of up to 15 hours are also notable additions.
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
JBL Clip 3 (Check latest price on Amazon) is undeniably one of the best affordable Bluetooth speakers on the market, and it offers a lot more than its low price suggests. The speaker’s tough shell is made of a mix of fabric and rubber, and it has an IPX7 rating, allowing it to be used even after being submerged in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes.
The Clip 3’s integrated metal carabiner is perhaps its most intriguing design feature, as it allows you to quickly and easily attach it to anything from your backpack to a belt loop. The speaker’s 1.6-inch transducer produces 3.3W of powerful sound, and you also get a speakerphone for hands-free calls (with noise and echo cancellation).
The Clip 3 has a 3.5mm audio port for wired use as well as Bluetooth for wireless connectivity. It comes in a variety of colors (including Gold, Teal, and Camo) and has a 1000mAh battery that can play music for up to 10 hours on a single 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
The Final Word
The Sonos Move is our top pick among all of the outdoor stereos mentioned above. It can withstand rough use, has a plethora of useful features (e.g., voice assistant support, capacitive touch controls), and has excellent audio quality.
Take a look at Bose’s SoundLink Micro if you want something a little more portable. The tough speaker has it all, from powerful sound to advanced in-app settings, and it’s all at a reasonable price.
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