Pump up the patio with these awesome outdoor speakers
Whether you have a big backyard or a perfectly petite patio, relishing in the fresh air on a nice, warm day is an unbeatable treat when you can do so on your own home turf. Maybe you like to dine al fresco, splash around in the pool, or simply kick your feet up and relax in the sun. That's all well and good, but there's no doubt that there's one simple, yet crucial element that could take your outdoor ambiance to the next level, and that’s music.
Sure, you could just blast your playlist from your smartphone's speaker, but let's be honest here. That sounds like utter crap.
If you're really serious about your music, you'll treat it with some respect and let it have the honor of being listened to on a set of quality speakers. That is, speakers that won't muffle the sound, cut out at your favorite part of a song, or hiss, crackle, or pop their way through a playlist. And while finding a good pair of speakers is easy when building a sound system inside of your home, finding the same kind of high-quality audio for the outdoors can be tricky. You simply can't use the same speakers for your living room as you do in your backyard. Not only can they not withstand the weather, but indoor speakers just aren't built to carry audio in wide-open spaces. Read more...
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BEST BUDGET OPTION
Dual Electronics LU43PBThese light, weather-resistant speakers are a great choice if you're on a budget.
- Wired?: Yes
- Mountable?: Yes, hardware included
- Drivers: 4-inch woofer and 0.78-inch dome tweeter
BEST BALANCE
JBL Professional Control 23-1 Ultra-Compact Indoor/Outdoor SpeakersThese speakers are made to deliver accurate sound in a contemporary and clean design.
- Wired?: Yes
- Mountable?: Yes, hardware included
- Drivers: 3-inch woofer and half-inch PEI diaphragm tweeter
BEST INCONSPICUOUS DESIGN
TIC GS3 8-inch Outdoor Weather-Resistant Omnidirectional In-Ground SpeakerExperience the subtlety of stereo sound in the ground from the favored brand of landscapers.
- Wired?: Yes
- Mountable?: No
- Drivers: 8-inch woofer and 2-inch tweeter
BEST HIGH-END OPTION
Bose 251 Environmental Outdoor SpeakersPremium sound quality and style combine from one of the most trusted and reliable brand names in luxury audio.
- Wired?: Yes
- Mountable?: Yes, hardware included
- Drivers: Two 2.5-inch full-range drivers and a 5.25-inch woofer
BEST FOR PORTABILITY
Sonos MoveA truly smart speaker with superior sound, designed for easy streaming both indoors and out.
- Wired?: No
- Mountable?: No
- Drivers: One midwoofer and a downward-firing tweeter
BEST FOR BASS
Definitive Technology AW6500 Outdoor SpeakerThis good-looking speaker can pump up your pool party with full, balanced sound and boosted bass.
- Wired?: Yes
- Mountable?: Yes, hardware included
- Drivers: 6.5-inch midwoofer, 1-inch tweeter, and a pressure-driven low bass radiator
BEST FOR AUDIOPHILES
Klipsch AW-650 Indoor/Outdoor SpeakersCrisp and detailed sound quality in an impressively durable shell.
- Wired?: Yes
- Mountable?: Yes, hardware included
- Drivers: Graphite woofers and titanium dome tweeters
BEST FOR EASY INSTALLATION
Polk Audio Atrium 6 Outdoor SpeakersThese speakers are designed with fewer moving parts to make installation and mounting incredibly convenient.
- Wired?: Yes
- Mountable?: Yes, hardware included
- Drivers: 5.25-inch Dynamic Balance driver and 1-inch dome tweeter
BEST CAMOUFLAGE OPTION
Klipsch AWR-650-SM Indoor/Outdoor SpeakerThis individual outdoor rock speaker provides amazing sound and style, though it's best experienced as a pair if you're willing to invest more money in your setup.
- Wired?: Yes
- Mountable?: No
- Drivers: 6.5-inch woofer and 0.8-inch tweeters
BEST FOR BLUETOOTH
Pyle Outdoor Wall-Mount Patio Stereo SpeakerWired speakers allow you to stream via Bluetooth without the hassles of a rechargeable battery.
- Wired?: Yes and no
- Mountable? : Yes, hardware included
- Drivers: 6.5-inch long-throw woofers and 1-inch polymer dome tweeters
BEST MID-RANGE OPTION
KICKER KB6 2-Way Full Range Indoor Outdoor SpeakersDesigned to be mounted outdoors, these speakers easily fill outside spaces with quality sound.
- Wired?: Yes
- Mountable?: Yes, hardware included
- Drivers: 6.5-inch woofer and a 2x5-inch horn tweeter