The Best Outdoor Speakers For Pools, Patios, and Parties 2023

Finally: there’s a Sonos portable Bluetooth speaker on the market, the Sonos Move – and it’s everything you’d expect from the world’s #1 wireless audio company according to CEPro magazine. With both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth onboard, the Sonos Move is extremely versatile and can be used as a stand-alone speaker you can take anywhere, inside or out, or add it to an existing networked speaker system. Either way, the Move gets it right.

Like everything Sonos, the Move is “Apple-esque.” It’s attractive, solid (even heavy for its size), smart, and intuitive. The Move sits neatly in its charging base or can be charged via USB. Music lovers will love that you can create true stereo with a pair of Moves and/or add the Move to your existing Sonos network. With AirPlay, you can stream pretty much everything, whether via Youtube, Netflix, HBO GO, or any playlist from any smartphone or tablet. What’s more, the Move is bi-lingual, so simple voice commands get everything done with Amazon’s Alexa.

Who knows why it took Sonos so long to enter the Bluetooth speaker market, but the Move’s sound quality is pure Sonos – rich, vibrant, remarkable clarity – and sure to be yet another Sonos best-seller in spite of its higher price tag.

What else? Check out our Sonos Move Review.

Bowers & Wilkins of Worthing, South England – trusted and embraced by legendary studios like Abbey Road and considered by many the world’s finest loudspeaker maker for over 50 years, is our unanimous choice for “best all-weather outdoor speaker.” The press calls Bowers & Wilkins' AM-1 “the most durable loudspeaker B&W has ever made, achieved without compromising power or sound quality the way so many lessor outdoor speakers do.”

Inside the AM-1: a 2-way design with an inverted drive unit and a 25 mm aluminum-dome tweeter mounted below (rather than above) its 5-inch glass-fiber bass/midrange driver. This configuration ensures the AM-1 provides optimal dispersion of sound when mounted high on a wall or ceiling, where best-case scenario, it belongs. On the rear of the AM-1, an auxiliary bass radiator (ABR) adds exceptional bass for a speaker this size. The combination – B&W’s unique architecture and high-end drive units add up to seriously great sound, particularly when it comes to more intricate or nuanced music. (Mozart. The Roots. Beck. Miles. Etc.)

The AM-1’s weatherproof housing is sealed from the elements, mounting is easy, and recommended amplifier power = 20 W to 100 W into 8 ohms. Our opinion: Bowers & Wilkins' AM-1’s also qualify as awesome indoor speakers too, whether for stereo or home theater.

Klipsch is the Harley Davidson of the speaker world: an American company with a great backstory and a legendary product line. Klipsch is about muscle and finesse… and whether a rip-tearing Joe Bonamassa guitar hook or a Benny Goodman clarinet lead, Klipsch serves it up like it’s happening live, right in front of you. No one does “thank you sir, may I have another?” quite like Klipsch. How fitting then, that Klipsch’s outdoor entree, the AWR-650-SM, comes in the form of a big rock, available in dirt brown or mountain black.

At 50 Watts of power each, a pair of AWR-650-SMs can handle the biggest big block party without breaking a sweat. Turned down, they’re perfect for musical chairs at a kid’s birthday party. In between, you can hear the game like you’re sitting in the press box.

Naturally, Klipsch built the AWR-650-SM to withstand extreme weather conditions (hello Florida, Texas, the Carolinas, Louisiana, and the entire left coast). Each weighs 13 pounds and features a dual voice coil polymer woofer for a powerful, precise low-end, along with dual polymer dome tweeters – so any one speaker can process both left and right stereo channels. (Most customers buy two, one left and one right for a traditional stereo setup.) Obviously, they blend in well wherever you put them, because they’re, well… rocks. That ROCK.

Rockustics' Periscape speakers have a unique design that makes them blend in not with the rocks or plants on your patio but with your patio lighting fixtures. It's not just so they can hide in plain sight; the periscope form factor lets you angle and aim the speaker exactly how you want it. The 4.5" driver is made of polypropylene and the 3/4" titanium tweeter delivers exceptional sound quality, yet they can withstand any weather conditions. They're designed to create the ultimate outdoor speaker system when combined with the Rockustics SubScape subwoofer in an installation. The Periscape speakers have multiple tap settings and can operate with 70V power, making them ideal for large outdoor sound system installations.

The Rockustics EconoRock is the ideal outdoor speaker for larger home gardens and patio installations. Its 3/4"" tweeter and 6-1/2"" driver can put out up to 140W, filling your outdoor space with clear, sparkling sound. Its sturdy case blends in with any yard or garden design and because it's made of proprietary resin and marble chips, it's rock-solid and can handle any weather. The speakers and all components are also completely weatherproof and corrosion-resistant, so you can install them in any climate, even near bodies of saltwater. Just imagine how good "Rock Lobster" is going to sound!

We love the OD Stone 8 unique design, but we also love its sound. It feels like Focal figured out how to have a proper bookshelf speaker live outside (not an easy task).

The OD Stone 8 has incredible dynamics as it plays thumping basslines and precise vocal reproduction with it’s 8” mid-bass drive and 1” Aluminum ‘M’-shaped inverted tweeter.

As an integrator, we really appreciate that Focal has a 5-strand cable so it can be wired to either a “traditional” 8 ohm amplifier or a 70/100volt amplifier (which is usually saved for commercial installations).

Focal designed the OD Stone to have a physical wire to choose between the two and not a switch to engage one versus the other. This calculated design choice means there was no chance of degrading the audio by having to pass through an additional component. When you design with uncompromising audio as your end result like Focal, you know you’re in for an outdoor speaker of the highest quality.

When audiophile sound quality is more important than how your outdoor sound system fits in with your patio décor, take a look at the Focal 11 OD8 speakers. These remarkable speakers are designed to be mounted outdoors in all conditions. Their UV-treated high-density vibration-damping polypropylene cabinet, 8" woofer with waterproof polypropylene cone and Polyglass treatment, and aluminum dome tweeter will keep them performing flawlessly no matter what weather they're subjected to. Even their terminals have a silicone seal to keep out water and dust. The included mounting bracket lets you angle the speakers anywhere in a 180° arc, so you've got a lot of flexibility for mounting and optimizing the sweet spot. Plus, their sound quality may be high-end, but their price is not.

Rockustics is one of the leading companies providing outdoor speaker systems. With this 300W in-ground subwoofer, it's easy to see why. You're gonna feel the music before you ever see where the sound is coming from. The SubScape 12's clever vent system makes this powerful speaker look no more obtrusive than the outdoor lighting you already have along your garden path. Since it's fully weatherproof, you don't have to worry about this speaker being damaged by water, even from routine yard watering.

Designed for easy installation into a wired, in-ground sound system in your patio — especially with the Rockustics Periscape speakers — the SubScape 12 also can operate in larger environmental installations where lower voltages of 70V allow for the use of lighter-gauge wiring. The SubScape 12s also feature multiple tapping settings, which lets you quickly set the volume for a specific area by setting the power each unit or group of speakers takes. The clever vented cap design will blend into any outdoor yard or patio design. Put some boom into your outdoor room!

When it comes to digging up your yard to install an in-ground outdoor speaker system, a couple fewer holes to dig would be very welcome. This innovative 3-way in-ground speaker is here to help you achieve precisely that and deliver even better sound to boot. The Rockustics Cherry Bomb features a 5" subwoofer, 4" long-throw midrange driver, and 3/4" titanium dome tweeter, all in a single unit that not only simplifies installation but delivers phase-accurate beautiful sound. In contrast, subs and drivers in different locations can be a challenge to calibrate. Capable of delivering up to 100W, the Cherry Bomb will help kick start your patio parties in the summer, and with its full weatherproof design will easily handle whatever weather winter has in store for it.

Kicker, a major player in the custom automotive sound system world, knows how to get big sounds from small products at great prices. With a 6.5" woofer and two 5" horn tweeters, the KB6 speakers are a fine example, producing remarkably clear and transparent mids, highs, and seismic bass. Ideal for patios and poolside installation, the KB6 enclosure and components are weather-resistant and can easily handle rain, mist, and proximity to freshwater environments. The included brackets make installation flexible and straightforward, and the easy pinch terminals make wiring a breeze. All this at a price per pair lower than the cost of many individual speakers.

The Sonos Roam is our favorite portable outdoor speaker for lots of reasons. First and foremost, it's a true outdoor speaker. It's wonderfully waterproof and dust-proof, so when you get tired of listening to music on your patio, you can roam with the Roam anywhere. Its outstanding sound and powerful bass won't get drowned out by wind or traffic noise, and the Trueplay function automatically adjusts the sound to your environment, so you don't miss out on the lyrics. With Bluetooth and WiFi, the Roam will pair with your devices and your home WiFi setup, so your connections will always be ready to go when you're ready for some tunes. Voice control implementation lets you use Apple AirPlay 2, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant to access your favorite content and control your other devices. Plus, it's small, lightweight, and practically begs to go outside with you.

Also check out our Sonos Roam review.

These speakers have a clean, simple design that will look attractive in any location on the exterior of your house, and even present a tasteful appearance when used in an interior installation

The NS-AW294 uses a 6 1/2" woofer to help produce great sound, but if you need smaller size for your location then pick up the NS-AW194. Each model is available in white or black, so you can choose the model that best matches your desired exterior or interior installation location.

The supplied brackets allow you to adjust the speakers to match the installation location. They can be installed vertically or horizontally, and can be moved through a range of 81° to the right or left and up or down directions.

One sure way to separate the men from the boys when it comes to portable wireless speakers: Cue up the A Capella bass harmony at the beginning of Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk” and turn it up – WAY up. We did just that with the Bose Portable Home speaker, a smart speaker Bose claims is “best at bass,” and yeah – we’re believers. At this price point, Bose crushes the competition when it comes to powerful bass in a portable package.

The Bose Portable Home speaker is an Amazon Alexa / Googe Assistant smart speaker from a company that continues to out-innovate everyone save for maybe Sonos. (Depends on who you ask.)  It streams whatever you like via at-home Wi-Fi or when you leave home, it acts like any other portable Bluetooth speaker controlled via your phone or tablet. It proved excellent at hearing and executing voice commands, too – though voice commands only work when connected by Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth. As for sound quality, it’s exactly what we’ve come to expect from Bose: powerful, and remarkably crisp and clear.

With the nifty little handle on top, the Bose Portable doesn’t exactly hide its rugged portable-ness. All the controls are on top, and it comes with a USB-C cord for charging the battery, though Bose also offers a charging cradle in the $30 range. Add the cradle, and the Bose Portable begins to approach the Sonos Move with respect to price. Tough choice, for sure.

Focal is bringing their award-winning speaker design outside. Prepare your outdoor escape and fill it with ripping good music and clarity you could never imagine you’d hear on your deck, pool, or boat. They sell each of their new outdoor speakers separately, or they made it easy for you by creating this 4.1 Channel Speaker bundle with the OD Sat 5 and OD Sub 12.

Even though the OD Sat 5 perfectly matches the OD Stone 8’s audio signature, it looks very different. Focal designed the OD Sat 5 to be more discrete for its placement but didn’t take away from its impact.  The size and shape allows you to interlace speakers throughout your landscaping, or even up next to your existing outdoor lighting (as the share a similar form factor). These speakers are more inconspicuous and subtle visually, but still pack a dynamic punch when it comes to delivering a HiFi audio experience. The OD Sat 5s are also able to be connected with a 70/100volt amplifier much like the OD Stone 8. This allows your outdoor design to be versatile without compromise.

The Littora OD SUB 12 is built to hit hard and precise with a 12” Iris IP woofer and can create deep and powerful bass (400 watts at it’s peak). Even though the OD Sat 5 and OD Stone 8 go low, they’ll never be a direct replacement for a speaker who’s only goal is to shake the ground around you.

If you’re concerned about how much space an outdoor subwoofer will take up, don’t be. It is designed to have most of it hidden underground. However, there is an adjustable height vent, so you can control how much is exposed into your space. If you’re looking to cover a small space, one will suffice. If you’re looking at making your backyard to be the envy of everyone in the neighborhood, you can add as many as you need (just make sure you have enough amplification).