Music. Can you imagine the world without this magnificent art?
For many of us, going to work without listening to a sweet morning jam is a shortcut to a terrible day.
The importance of music doesn’t end there though, as it can turn any of your outdoor adventures, from hiking and camping trips to pool parties, into a barrel of laughs and joy.
How would you listen to music in such conditions, you may ask? Simple, get yourself one of the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers.
Seeing how the market is full of such gadgets, making a choice can become a daunting task. Do not worry though, as our experts have already done the heavy lifting for you and picked the best products you can use to enjoy your melodies when you’re busy walking the dusty trails of California’s woods.
Best Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers: Our Top Picks
The Speaker That Packs It All: Bose Soundlink Revolve Plus
Battery Life: 16 hrs | Range: 30 ft (9m)
You know what they say “When the trip is close, go with bose.” Not only does this speaker deliver outstanding sound in terms of quality, but it can also spread it through vast areas thanks to the 360-degree functionality.
Having a pool party and can’t afford a DJ? No problem, Bose’s speakers can do the job perfectly fine!
The Bose Soundlink Revolve Plus is convenient too, as it offers a smart assistance feature, making the whole process of picking songs and playing them an effortless, hands-free experience.
Another feature that we genuinely dig in the Revolve Plus is the reliable, bump-resistant, IPX4 certified construction, something that can surely come in handy considering that it’s meant for outdoor usage, where falls, splashes, and rain are expected all the time.
Behind the convenience, beauty, and reliability lies a speaker that excels no matter what song or genre you want to play, from classical music to hip hop and rap, the bass and treble of this speaker won’t disappoint.
Now, there is no sense denying it, this Bluetooth speaker does come at a steep price, but it’s definitely a bargain considering the functionality, convenience, and quality it offers. If we have to pick a product that’s most likely to suit any individual, we’d choose the Bose Soundlink Revolve Plus every time.
The Loudest Speaker: JBL Boombox
Battery Life: 24 hrs | Range: 60 ft (18m)
Our loudest speaker award goes to JBL Boombox, an outdoor Bluetooth speaker that has proven its reliability when it comes to crystal clear highs and rich lows.
The Boombox does come at a high price point, but that’s only normal considering the features it boasts.
The bass is one of the hardest hittings you’ll ever hear and enjoy all thanks to the four active transducers and two bass radiators incorporated within the sturdy, rugged construction that’s built to withstand any weather, even the wettest of them, thanks to the IPX7 certification.
Another great feature that one cannot ignore is the dual charge option, which allows you to charge your external device when you’re outside to enjoy music around the clock. Add that to the massive 20.000 mAh battery, and you’ve got yourself a killer deal when it comes to outdoor gadgets.
We’re praising the battery life and features of the Boombox because running out of charge in the middle of a trip can be a real pain in the neck. We learned that the hard way during one of our camping trips.
Can you imagine how hard it is to prepare your tent when you have no light during a moonless night? Well, as a group of music enthusiasts, we would feel the same if the speaker’s battery ran out during a trip.
One thing that may pass as an inconvenience is the weight, which is around 11 pounds for this device. A bit heavy? Yes, but that doesn’t come as a surprise considering the power and loudness the JBL Boombox packs.
The Easiest to Carry Around: Sony XB10 Portable Wireless Speaker
Battery Life: 16 hrs | Range: 33 ft (10m)
One cannot talk about a Bluetooth speaker without bringing up portability. After all, what’s the point if you can’t get it with wherever you go?
Sony’s XB10 Portable Wireless Speaker is a clear winner when it comes to this aspect as it features a compact design with a rubberized outer coating and a small rubber ring through which you can hang the speaker or clip it to your backpack. Talk about convenience, huh? Now you can easily ride your bike while spreading good vibes all over your neighborhood or school.
Don’t let the small size and light weight fool you into thinking that this device doesn’t boast a plethora of features though. It is, just like the other products on our list, a real beast when it comes to sound quality and power.
Behind the compact design, the XB10 features Extra BASS, a functionality that gives the bass a considerable boost to the harmonical work between the radiator and internal speaker. This feature can be especially important for those who want to turn a small barbecue party into a real gala.
To support that fantastic, crisp-clear sound you’re getting, Sony’s XB10 speaker packs a strong battery capable of powering up the device for up to 16 hours after a full charge.
Finally, if you have money to spare, maybe consider getting two pieces of this little beast so you can enjoy a stereo experience no matter where you are. Double the device, double the power, and you won’t even break the bank while doing so!
The Best Waterproof Speaker: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom
Battery Life: 10 hrs | Range: 100 ft (30m)
When you’re having an outdoor adventure, whether it be a camping trip or a small BBQ party, there’s a great chance that you’ll get all wet one way or the other. Some devices may get screwed the moment they get in contact with water splash, but not the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom, as it features IPX7-rated waterproofing capabilities, making it a device for every weather and occasion.
The IPX7 certification means that the speaker is not only splash-proof, but can also be used in the pool, shower, tub, or the beach without fear of breaking it. So, if you’re someone who loves combining water and music, this can be the best outdoor Bluetooth speaker for you.
Waterproofness isn’t the only strong point of the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom though, as it also delivers crisp-clear, 360-degree sound along with decent bass for you to enjoy your music wherever you stand or sit in relation to the speaker.
As for the power, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom packs a decent battery capable of powering the device for 10 straight hours of brilliant, immersive sound.
Add that to the easy portability thanks to the hanging loop and the drop-proof capability, and you’ve got yourself a device capable of handling whatever nature has to drop on it during your outdoor adventures.
The only thing that we didn’t like about the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom is the battery indicator, as it doesn’t have a visual one. Instead, you need to hold the volume up and down buttons until you hear a tone that indicates the battery level. Considering that the manual is written, it’s hard to determine which tone means what on your own. A bit confusing, and somehow inconvenient, but you can get the gist of it in no time with little practice.
The Best Sound Quality Speaker: Sony SRS-XB41
Battery Life: 24 hrs | Range: 90 ft (27m)
Sony is known to be one of the big players in the sound industry, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that our pick for the outdoor speaker with the best sound comes from this brand. Just connect the SRS-XB41 to your phone or computer and kiss shrill, ear-splitting sounds goodbye.
The sound experience that this speaker delivers is incredible thanks to the live sound mode that sends music waves in a three-dimensional manner, thus turning any situation into a real festival. The volume is top-notch as well, and it’s guaranteed to blow you away and spread the sound throughout any place, no matter how big or small it is.
Have you ever dreamed of having a pool party right at home without having to get a DJ to do so? Well, now you can do it! Furthermore, you needn’t be afraid of the water, as the XB41 has an IP67-rating, making it suitable for wet conditions as long as all the ports and covers are firmly closed.
And if you’re one to enjoy ground-shaking beats, you’ll surely enjoy the Extra BASS feature.
The fun doesn’t end there. Something that we really liked about the speaker is the party booster. In a nutshell, you can tab the device in different places to make different sounds, like a snare, a kick drum, or a scratch, all while controlling the volume by changing the tapping force. If that’s not cool, we don’t know what is. Basically, you can be the DJ and musician of your party using this simple, compact speaker.
Try maxing out the volume, activating the live mode, and turning on the bass, and you won’t believe how crisp of a sound you’re getting.
Aesthetically-speaking, no one can deny how stylish the design of this device is, as it features multi-colored flashing lights that sync with the beats you’re playing, thus giving your party even more enjoyable vibes.
Not only that, but you can also browse through different effects until you find something that suits your taste and the theme of your party or adventure. It has so many effects that you’re probably not going to use most of them, but nothing wrong with a variety of choices, right?
The only thing that bothered us in Sony’s SRS-XB41 is the battery. The device takes forever to charge past 70 percent, but once it’s there, it’ll take some time to run out of juice, so it’s not that big of a problem.
For People on a Budget: Creative Metallix Plus Portable Speaker
Battery Life: 24 hrs | Range: 33 ft (10m)
Now, while many people would willingly spend a lot of cash on their gadgets, others prefer to spare that money for more important elements of their outdoor adventures and parties. If you fall under that criteria, do not worry, as we got you covered.
The award for the best buy for the buck goes to Creative Metallix Plus, a portable speaker that won’t cost you an arm nor a leg, all while providing decent performance and quality.
The device’s body is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around no matter where you’re going, and it’s IPX5-certified, which makes it suitable for most weathers, as long as you’re not immersing it in deep water.
As for the sound, this Bluetooth speaker does deliver what it promises; quality, loud, and crisp clear sound.
To put it simply, no other product can compete with the Metallix Plus in this price range, making it a real bargain.
The device is custom-tuned to provide decent and balanced bass as well, but don’t expect the moon when you’re paying this low of a price. Set your expectations right, and you’ll get a device that you’ll really dig.
If you want to enjoy the stereo feature, you’ll have to get a second unit, which will totally be worth the price.
The feature we really like about the Creative Metallix Plus is the battery life, which can last for up to 24 hours according to the manufacturer and our tests.
To wrap it up, if you want a device that delivers decent sound quality with tight bass, a good battery life, and a compact, portable design, all without having to spend hundreds from next month’s rent, you can’t go wrong with the Creative Metallix Plus Portable Speaker.
Analysis and Test Results
Choosing the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers wasn’t an easy task, as we had to test every feature, element, and aspect, to unveil the selling point of each product, and determine what makes every device unique, and which are its limits. We went over many speakers, testing the sound quality, weather-proofness, reliability, portability, battery life, and design, then compared the performance of every product with a set of detailed metrics, which led to the creation of the above list.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is the first metric that we checked, which is quite obvious considering that we’re reviewing speakers here. Having a Bluetooth speaker with mediocre sound quality is a sure way to ruin the experience and render what was intended to be a friendly gathering into a completely dull disaster.
We tested the sound quality by playing different kinds of tones and songs while tweaking and altering the speaker’s settings in different areas and situations to see how these speakers stacked up against each other.
A lot of factors go into determining how well the sound is, including the radiators, drivers, subwoofers, bass, internal speakers, etc. And while sound quality may be a subjective metric, we tried to avoid being biased toward certain products by using the same musical pieces and comparing the bass, vocals, low-end, mids, etc. in every speaker. So, which device delivers the best sound?
The Sony XB41 struck us as the best sounding device of the tested bunch. This speaker is simply meant for bass lovers. After experimenting with different songs and pieces, our experts found that the speaker rocks the bass. It’s powerful, and it destroys everything in its way. If you’re an EDM or house fan or simply one to enjoy bass-heavy sounds, you’ll find great joy in listening to beats coming from the XB41.
That being said, after comparing the bass notes to the vocals while listening to masterpieces such as Frank Ocean’s rendition of Moon River, we found that this speaker over-empathizes the low-end in a way that masks vocals, especially male ones.
Listening to music at regular listening volumes, instead of high ones, wasn’t that outstanding of an experience, which, again, makes this outdoor Bluetooth speaker more suitable for people who enjoy loud pool parties.
Sony’s XB41 isn’t the only speaker for loud parties and bass-lovers though, as JBL Boombox blows all the others when it comes to power.
The moment we laid eyes on the dual 4-inch woofers, we knew what was coming. In open air, the Boombox could project to 50 feet with ease, defeating both wind and ambient noises, while playing hip-hop beats and dancehall jams. “It truly packs the boom in a box”, said one of our editors while listening to Super Cat’s “Ghetto Red Hot” in her kitchen.
Although you cannot adjust the EQ of this speaker manually, you can still switch between the indoor and outdoor modes.
Both modes delivered rich, clear beats with deep, balanced bass that would surely lighten up any party no matter what volume you choose. Even at 100%, which is the breakpoint for most speakers, the Boombox still delivers crisp-clear audio with big bass, no matter what genre we played; from hip-hop to classical music, there’s nothing to complain about.
The outdoor mode proved to be the better mode though, even when used indoors.
The only downside that we encountered was when playing songs that have a lot of acoustic instrumentation. When we listened to such pieces, we found that the louder you go, the muddier the song becomes, as drum beats tend to push guitar jams to the back. Again, this speaker is designed for LOUD parties, so no worries here.
The Boombox is pricey, there’s no sense denying it, but it’s worth every penny considering the loud, clear, and bass-heavy sound you’re getting. You can’t get any louder than the Boombox unless you’re willing to put in some extra bucks. In that case, we recommend the Bang & Olufsen Beolit 17 which, despite being portable, is not water resistant.
Next comes the Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus, which showed a noticeable improvement over its SoundLink Revolve predecessor. The sound quality is definitely expansive, and the audio is crisp-clear. The bass is good and full enough. To make it even better, we tried placing the Revolve Plus close to a wall, which reinforced the bass.
The speaker delivers a sweet treble, upper mid-range, and top end sounds (most of the time). What we really liked about the Revolve Plus is the true 360-degree experience. No matter where we stood relative to the speaker, it delivered the same quality in every direction. If you need a speaker that can cover a large area with no dead spots, Bose’s SoundLink Revolve Plus is a solid choice.
On the other side of the spectrum are the Sony XB10, UE Wonderboom, and Creative Metallix Plus, all of which deliver good, clear, and loud sound, as long as you’re not maxing out the volume, in which case you’ll notice distortion in quality.
The Wonderboom, despite its small size, delivers clear audio and quality sound thanks to two 40mm active drivers and two 46 x 65mm passive radiators. It’s not perfect, but for an outdoor Bluetooth speaker in this price range, you’re certainly getting good quality. We played different genres, including hip-hop, punk guitar, and piano pieces. The highs and lows were reasonably good, while the mids sounded a bit weedy.
Just like the UE Boom 3 speaker, the max volume was insane, and the bass was balanced. We don’t recommend maxing out the volume if you’re having an outdoor party within a neighborhood though. We did that, and it turned out our neighbors don’t like jazz. But if you do want to annoy your neighbors or go deaf, try pairing a couple of Wonderboom units for a stereo effect.
You’ll probably regret it unless you’re having a really, really loud pool party.
Classical music, metal, and genres that include a lot of instruments weren’t that great when played at maximum volume, but that’s not rare with wireless speakers in general.
The Metallix Plus packs two full range drivers and a centrally mounted passive radiator, delivering a clear, deep bass with good sound that starts to distort beyond the 80% volume mark.
Low, mids, and vocals sounded great. They were bright, detailed, and open. We found that the audio quality gets better if you leave some space around it, so make sure to do that. For the price, the Metallix Plus is a great speaker, and it’s perfectly suitable for outdoor family gatherings or BBQ parties.
Sony’s SRS-XB10 packs a passive bass radiator and delivers a good quality as well, with deep, clear bass, crisp highs, and rich lows. As with most wireless Bluetooth speakers in the sub-$100 range, we noticed distortion when we hit high volumes.
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Battery life
An outdoor Bluetooth speaker is designed to be used outside (duh!), which makes battery life an essential factor to consider while making your choice, especially if you’re one to spend a long time camping or hiking.
The capacity of the battery is measured in mAh. The higher the mAh value is, the longer you get to enjoy your beats while outside.
The problem with battery life is that the bigger the battery’s capacity, the bulkier the device, which affects portability. Our picks for the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers balance both aspects, giving you the best of both worlds; a mixture of longevity and portability.
We tested the above products by listening to each speaker at different times, occasions, and volumes over the course of a few weeks playing music continuously until the battery runs out of the juice under different conditions while taking into consideration how much time it took for every device to get fully charged.
The JBL Boombox is the clear winner when it comes to battery life, as it boasts a 20.000 mAh battery capable of powering your device for hours to end, as well as charging your other electronics when you’re out there in the wild.
Right after comes the Creative Metallix Plus Portable Speaker, which packs a powerful battery capable of providing the device with juice for 24 hours.
The Sony SRS-XB41 is also a decent choice as for the battery life, but it does take a lot of time to get fully charged, which may come as a big turn-off for many people.
As for the rest, Bose Soundlink Revolve Plus, Ultimate Ears Wonderboom, and Sony XB10 performed very well during our tests.
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Durability
Durability is a critical factor to consider when shopping for an outdoor Bluetooth speaker. You wouldn’t want your music to stop because of the weather while you’re on a camping trip, would you?
The thing is, durability is a big word, and the endurance of a device depends on what you’re going to use it for.
Getting a speaker for hiking is one thing, and purchasing one for a small pool party is another.
The first requires a rugged outdoor Bluetooth speaker that can resist dust, shock, and water, while the second situation doesn’t need more than a small device capable of delivering loud beats while offering some protection against water splash.
We tested each product on our list in different conditions, weathers, and situations, exposing them to various factors every time, in order to determine which speaker works for what.
While each of our recommendations can be used for a variety of situations and adventure, it’s safe to say that JBL Boombox is a clear winner when it comes to durability. Its rugged body allows it to withstand the most extreme of weathers, making it the best companion for both camping trips and wild pool parties.
The IPX7 rating is a huge plus, which adds to the reliability of this speaker.
We put this device through the wringer, and it handled anything we threw at it with ease. Observing the hard-hitting bass while the speaker was in the water was a real joy for all of us. So, if you’re planning to take your speaker to some extreme adventure in the Himalayas or something, JBL Boombox is the one for you. Just grab a Hard EVA Travel case and off you go with your journey.
Keep in mind that you may suffer from cosmetic damage considering that the plastic parts aren’t really scratchproof, but that shouldn’t be a problem for those looking for a sturdy construction rather than an aesthetically-appealing one (not to say that JBL Boombox isn’t stylish, because it is).
The second place winner is Ultimate Ears’ Wonderboom. The compact design of this speaker makes it hard to believe that it’s actually durable, but it actually is, or at least that’s what our experts are saying. UE device is firmly rugged, with an IPX7 rating, allowing it to handle submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, which makes it the perfect shower, pool, and beach companion.
When we tested this speaker, it proved that it packs a solid build allowing it to handle several types of assault, from bumps to falls to dog attacks. You read that right, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom withstood a dog attack and worked smoothly afterward. To wrap it up, this is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a compact device for your beach trips and pool parties, specifically one that delivers excellent sound and that can handle whatever nature has to throw at it without falling short on longevity.
Next comes Sony’s XB41, which comes with an IP67 rating, making it both water and dust proof, and fully submersible in water. The speaker is covered with a long-lasting fabric coating, which may prove to be a pain when it comes to cleaning and removing sand or dirt, but that’s a price we’re willing to pay considering the nearly indestructible build and reliable construction.
The inputs and buttons at the back are covered with a small rubber flap, which, no matter how hard we tried, could hold water from wreaking havoc on the device. In other words, as long as you’re not taking this speaker to the beach, you’ll be totally fine. If cleaning the fabric doesn’t seem like a big deal for you, then Sony’s XB41 is a device worth considering.
Bose SoundLink Revolve+ doesn’t fall short in this department either, as it features a rugged aluminum chassis with rubberized buttons and bases. The rubber handle is also a nice touch that adds to the portability. All in all, this speaker has what it takes for outdoor adventures. Don’t try submerging it in water though, as it only has an IPX-4 rating (we will come back to that later).
The speaker that really surprised our experts during the testing is the Creative Metallix Plus.
Despite its low price tag, this device features a wrap-around metal chassis with a soft matte finish that sends premium vibes. The metal construction is solid and has no flex, making the device a real bargain for the price.
Keep in mind that the Creative Metallix Plus cannot compete with any of the aforementioned products as it’s well-made, but not rugged, and it only features an IPX4 rating. It may get damaged after some bumps and falls, but if you’re looking for a cheap device that can deliver quality beats for a small outdoor pool or BBQ party, this speaker is a winner.
Sony’s XB10 boasts a stylish, compact design, and while it has a solid rubber coating, it only features an IPX4 rating, giving it the last position on the durability scale. It’s still water resistance though, so if you’re only looking for a device for small outdoor parties or gatherings, you can’t go wrong with the XB10, especially considering the price tag of this speaker. Besides, it got out of our tests and experiments just fine, and that says a lot already.
All that being said, you should always take care of your outdoor Bluetooth speaker, no matter how well-built or rugged it. Whichever device you choose, try to keep it clean and to dry it after every exposure to water splash. That way, not only will you increase the longevity of your speaker, but you’ll also keep it aesthetically-appealing.
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Waterproofness and Resistance
Waterproofness and durability are nearly indistinguishable in the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers. The terms waterproof and water resistance get more often than not confused for each other, but there is quite a difference between the two.
Waterproof speakers can be submerged in water to a certain width without getting compromised, while water-resistant speakers are designed to withstand small splashes of rain or pool water.
You can tell whether an outdoor speaker is waterproof or water resistant by checking the IP rating, which reflects how protected the speaker is against different outdoor elements, such as water, shock, and dust exposure.
The IPX rating ranges from 0 to 7, with 0 reflecting a total vulnerability and 7 presenting the best protection. Each IPX rating represents a certain level of protection:
Note that an extra IPX-8 rating exists, but we’re yet to encounter an outdoor Bluetooth speaker featuring this particular rating.
Each of our recommended products has a specific IPX rating, but to ensure that the device is indeed protected, we ran several tests that included throwing the speaker in water, exposing it to water splash, playing it by the pool, etc.
As a general rule of thumb, if a speaker is waterproof, it means that it cannot pack a passive bass radiator or integrated subwoofers as water can get through those holes if the device is fully submerged.
That isn’t the case for the products on our list though, as we tested each and every one of them to ensure that they deliver phenomenal sound even with their waterproof feature.
Those tests concluded that the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom is the best when it comes to this feature, as it has an IPX7 rating, making it totally waterproof and submersible in water. Despite the waterproof feature and construction, the speaker doesn’t fall short when it comes to quality, which consolidates its position as the best waterproof outdoor Bluetooth speaker.
It’s worth noting that while we were testing this device, we found it hard to completely submerge it in water as its lightweight and construction makes it more of a floatable speaker. We like speakers that float on water because we can just put the speaker in the middle of the pool and everybody can enjoy the music at the same time. That being said, should you hold the device while sinking it, you won’t find any problem at all.
The JBL Boombox comes with the same rating and surprisingly capable of floating on water too, giving it the second spot.
Next comes Sony’s SRS-XB41 and XB10 Portable Wireless Speakers, which proved their effectiveness against water splash thanks to the IPX6 rating. Note that the SRS XB41 is also dust-resistant, giving it the edge over its XB10 sibling.
Finally, Creative Metallix Plus Portable Speaker with its IPX5 rating and Bose Soundlink Revolve Plus that features an IPX4 rating, has sufficient water resistant capability to handle most outdoor task.
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Additional Features
1. Portability
Every device on our list checks almost all the boxes when it comes to portability, with some being better than others. To test the portability, we took into consideration the size and weight of the device along with the portability features it has, such as the handle.
After weeks of moving around and using the speakers in different environments, we found the Sony SRS-XB10 to be the easiest to carry around. This speaker weighs roughly 0.575 lb (260g) and measures 3.4 x 3.4 x 4.3 inches, making it both the lightest and smallest of the bunch, and it has a rubberized loop with which you can hang the XB10 on a hook or whatever else is around. You can even clip this to your belt or a pocket chain while skateboarding and you would not even feel the weight. If you want to carry as little weight as possible when you’re out there, this is the device for you.
Next comes the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Bluetooth Speaker that weighs around 0.937 lb and measures 3.7 x 3.7 x 4 inches. Although it’s a bit heavier than the Creative Metallix Plus (0.937 lb vs. 0.85 lb), the latter is bigger in size (6.7 x 1.8 x 2.1 inches), which gives the edge to UE’s speaker.
The third place in the portability list goes to Bose SoundLink Revolve+, which weighs around 2 pounds and measures 4.2 x 4.2 x 7.3 inches, but it has a nice rubberized handle that facilitates carrying the device and makes it quite portable.
The remaining two speakers are what you would call “the big boys”, with massive weight points and big dimensions, but they both come with sleek handles that make up for the sizes and weights.
The Sony SRS-XB41 weighs 3 lb 5 oz (1500g) and measures 12.7 x 5.3 x 7.4 inches. The big size of this speaker isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, as it gives it a nearly indestructible construction. Besides, it’s mainly meant for outdoor parties, so it’s not like you’re going to keep carrying it around, it’s more of a “set and forget” device.
Finally comes the JBL Boombox, the bulkiest outdoor wireless speaker, weighing 11.57 lbs (5.25kg) and measuring 10.02 x 19.49 x 7.69 inches. To be honest, carrying this speaker around was a pain in the neck, as it’s quite heavy. Just like the XB41, this is a party-aimed speaker, so you shouldn’t worry much about the weight and the size. Besides, you’re getting the loudest sound of the tested bunch, which justifies the size and weight of the device.
2. Accessories
It’s a solid draw when it comes to the included accessories as each of the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers practically comes with the same essential items out of the box: the device, the power adapter, some instructions/guides, as well as the warranty card (if any).
3. Voice Control and Phone Calls
Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus, JBL Boombox, Sony SRS-XB41, Creative Metallix Plus, and Sony XB10 have microphones and can accept phone calls.
The quality wasn’t that great when we tested it, but it was decent, which is what you should expect from a Bluetooth Outdoor Speaker. All those devices can accept voice commands through Google Voice and Siri as well, except Sony’s XB10, which doesn’t support the smart assistant feature.
UE Wonderboom, on the other hand, doesn’t have a built-in microphone, so you cannot use it to make calls nor can you control it using Google Now, Siri, or Alexa.
4. Stereo Sound
Every speaker of the tested bunch can be paired with a second unit of the same model to enjoy a stereo effect, except the Wonderboom. Stereo means that one unit takes care of the left channel while the other gets the right channel.
The UE Wonderboom, while allows you to pair with another one, only increase loudness but not creating a true stereo field.
We found that stereo feature in outdoor Bluetooth speakers and can give an immersive, unforgettable experience even in the largest of places and parties. However, we like the Bose more as it gives an overall more cohesive and natural stereo field than the rest.
5. Auto OFF feature
The auto-off feature is the ability of the speaker to shut down automatically after a certain period of inactivity (no sound coming from the speaker). This feature is built-in in the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers to save battery life when you’re outside.
All of the tested devices had this feature but with a slight difference in the inactivity period.
Bose SoundLink Revolve Plus shuts down after 30 minutes of inactivity even when it’s connected via Bluetooth. We think this is the best logical implementation for this particular feature.
Sony SRS-XB41 and UE WONDERBOOM power off after 15 minutes of inactivity.
JBL Boombox turns off after 10 minutes of inactivity.
Sony SRS-XB10 and Creative Metallix Plus shut down respectively after 15 and 10 minutes of inactivity, but only if the device is not connected via Bluetooth. If there is a BT connection, the auto-off speaker is disabled in both speakers.
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Overall Performance Score
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Conclusion
Seeing how big the outdoor market is, choosing the right outdoor speaker for your needs can be a daunting task.
From small, plastic speakers to big, metal ones; the choices are practically limitless.
A quality outdoor Bluetooth speaker can render any adventure or party into a really joyful experience where you can listen to your favorite beats no matter where you are, while a mediocre speaker can turn what was a nice trip into a dull experience.
The bass, the sound, the portability, the loudness; all those factors make getting one of the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers a necessity rather than a luxury when having a pool party or packing for a camping trip in the mountains.
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