Published On: June 13, 2022

Best Outdoor Speakers 2023

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Published On: June 13, 2022

Best Outdoor Speakers 2023

Looking for a single speaker or a multi-speaker outdoor system? Our guide includes great waterproof, wireless, and wired options.

Great outdoor speakers can improve the atmosphere of your backyard or patio by reliably providing high-quality sound. If you enjoy listening to music or audio outdoors but are tired of lugging your indoor speakers back and forth, it may be time to invest in quality outdoor speakers.

We have done an extensive amount of research to find outdoor speakers that deliver performance and value. Here, you'll find our curated options that stood when surveying all the options and looking at user experiences and reviews.

So, what are the best wireless, waterproof, and wired outdoor speakers? There is no right answer, aside from the ones that offer the best value while fitting your needs and budget!

Whether you're looking for a good low-cost speaker or seek to spend more on a high-fidelity, high-quality option, we hope you find what you're looking for in our updated 2023 outdoor speaker buying guide.

Waterproof is Non-Negotiable

Investing in waterproof outdoor speakers should be a non-negotiable when looking for an outdoor speaker system. If you plan to leave your outdoor speakers outside, they will most likely come into contact with rain at some point or at least significant humidity.

For this reason, most outdoor speakers are designed to be waterproof, but not all are. Our interest is only in those that can handle the elements, so the main differentiator in the list is if the speaker is wired versus wireless.

Best Solution for Sonos Users

Sonos OUTDRWW1 Outdoor Architectural Speakers

Sonos' OUTDRWW1 speakers are high quality and dependable. These are passive speakers designed to work in conjunction with a Sonos Amp, so you need to run speaker cables to them and you'll need the Sonos amp to be installed indoors or in a dry area. So while the Sonos system is technically wireless, these are wired speakers in terms of the installation type.

It's possible to power up to three pairs of these speakers using a single Sonos amp, providing a range of expandable high-quality audio playback options, suitable for various sizes backyards or patios.

These speakers provide powerful sound that's tailored for the outdoors. They are built to withstand extreme weather conditions such as water, UV rays, heat, and freezing temperatures.

Of course, part of the appeal here is Sonos speakers work in tandem with the Sonos app to provide simple, reliable, and yet vastly customizable listening experiences.

Just remembers, these Sonos speakers must be wired to the Sonos Amp!

This option is currently listed at the highest price point for a single pair of speakers on our list. Having said that, Sonos speakers have earned their high price, tag due to their exceptional quality and dependability.

The Sonos OUTDRWW1 speakers may be the best option if you want to invest in a top-quality outdoor system, one that's got the specific benefit of optionally being part of a whole-home Sonos system, and has the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.

Pros

Pairable with Sonos app
Excellent quality speakers
Up to 3 pairs per Sonos Amp

Cons

Most expensive option

Best Premium Wired

Bowers & Wilkins AM-1 Indoor/Outdoor Architectural Speakers

If you’re looking for high-quality speakers that are as usable indoors and out, the Bowers & Wilkins AM-1 2-Way speaker is right for you. These are rated to withstand almost any weather conditions and do so without compromising on sound quality.

AM-1 speakers have a discreet but stylish appearance, ideal for a low-key installation in indoor or outdoor spaces.

Note these are passive, wired speakers that need an amp or receiver to drive them. But this opens up a world of possibilities, given how modern connected AV receivers are packed with features including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming options.

Just remember, the speakers themselves do not have a Bluetooth connection or any way to make a sound on their own, but this is the case with most outdoor speakers. You could even drive them with—gasp!—a Sonos amp, just like the Sonos outdoor speakers. How you power them is up to you.

Bowers & Wilkins is a company concerned with making speakers that sound great. While some outdoor speakers compromise sound in the process of making a weatherproof design, Bowers & Wilkins has chosen to prioritize sound quality without compromising the weatherproofing.

AM-1 speakers can withstand dirt, dust, UV rays, and rain. They are a great premium option in indoor/outdoor spaces such as covered patios and garages.

Pros

Can be used indoors or outdoors
No compromise on sound quality
Sleek appearance

Cons

Relatively expensive compared to some other options

Best Looking

MartinLogan ML-65AW Outdoor All-Weather Speakers

The MartinLogan ML-65AW is yet another option for outdoor all-weather speakers. This pair of speakers is created specifically for outdoor use and can be used in all weather conditions. The speakers can withstand extreme temperatures, rain, snow, dust, and dirt.

Most users find the sound quality of MartinLogan ML-65AW speakers to be exceptional. Some buyers added a subwoofer, only to find that the sound quality of the speakers was already great, and the extra bass was not needed.

Like most outdoor speakers, the MartinLogan ML-65AW speakers require a wired connection to an amp. This can be an advantage though, since running low voltage speaker cables is easier and more practical than putting AC plug-in power outdoors. Remember, wireless speakers are not necessarily cordless!

If you’re looking for a high-quality outdoor speaker system, the MartinLogan ML-65AW speakers may be a bit more expensive than some other options on this list, but less than the Sonos or Bowers and Wilkins options. These speakers offer high reliability and sound quality, ranking among the best outdoor speakers.

Pros

Exceptional sound quality
Impressive bass

Cons

Traditional speaker appearance

Best Compact

Klipsch AW-400 Outdoor Speakers

Klipsch is a company that's always about giving you a lot of 'bang for the buck". Certainly, that's the case with the AW-400 Outdoor Speakers.

If you’re searching for a reliable all-weather wired option at an easy-to-rationalize price point, these may be the best speakers for you.

While not the least expensive on the list, the price is about half that of the more expensive wired speaker options. Shoppers seeking a middle ground between affordability and quality will find the Goldilocks "just right" answer in Klipsch AW-400 Outdoor Speakers.

These speakers receive high ratings and rankings online from verified owners and have a reputation for producing high-quality sound, especially considering their size and price.

These speakers are meant to be used outdoors, so they handle extreme temperatures and heavy rain. But they are a bit on the small side, and some buyers note they are a bit bass-shy. And the 91Hz-20kHz ± 3dB rated frequency response backs this up. However, this is typical for outdoor speakers and if strong bass is a priority, you can add a subwoofer, or else some of the more expensive options on this list will serve you better.

Most users seem more than satisfied with the overall performance of Klipsch AW-400 Outdoor Speakers. Power handling is rated at 50 watts with 200 watts peak.

The Klipsch AW-400 Outdoor Speakers offer a nice balance of affordability and quality.

Pros

Affordable price point
Reliable for outdoor use

Cons

Lacking in lower bass notes

Best Wireless Hidden Speaker

Victrola Wireless Waterproof Rechargeable Bluetooth Outdoor Rock Speakers

And now for something a bit different. The Victrola wireless waterproof rechargeable Bluetooth outdoor rock speakers pair offer cool features—at an appealing price point— and still managed to put out decent sound at modest volume levels. Unlike the other speakers in this list, these are battery-powered and offer the convenience of Bluetooth. So they are both wireless and cordless!

The Victrola Rock Speakers do not need to be connected to a power source to work. Instead, they simply need to be charged and connected to a Bluetooth device. Once charged, the Victrola rock speakers offer 10 hours of playing time. The speakers are easy to pick and bring inside for charging and you can place them back outdoors when you’re ready to use them again.

The Victrola Rock Speakers are designed to look like rocks. This allows you to camouflage them in your yard or garden, in order to provide enjoyable music without the distracting sight of visible speakers.

The Victrola Rock Speakers are weatherproof so if you leave them outside and it rains, that's OK. You can even charge them outdoors.

If you’re looking for an affordable wireless speaker system with a design that blends in with nature, is truly free of wires and cords, and has Bluetooth pairing, the Victrola Rock Speakers could be just the ticket for adding tunes to some enjoyable afternoons in the yard.

Pros

Affordable
Unique appearance
Bluetooth connection

Cons

Must be charged to use
Cannot be mounted
Lower quality than more expensive options

Best for Bass

Definitive Technology AW6500 Outdoor Speaker

Here's a high-performance outdoor speaker that offers high-quality sound—including better bass than most outdoor speakers—at a very fair price. And unlike some outdoor speakers, it is sold as a single speaker, as opposed to in pairs.

The AW6500 offers a rated frequency response of 40-30,000 Hz (±3dB) which is quite wide for a speaker this size. How does it achieve this? Because it uses a passive radiator, which serves much the same purpose as a ported speaker but doesn't present the same issues with weatherproofing as having a hole in the speaker cabinet does. But the passive radiator is able to enhance bass output, and that combined with a larger than typical enclosure results in a speaker that offers better performance than you'd expect for an outdoor speaker, especially at its price point.

The Definitive Technology AW6500 speaker, like the majority of the speakers on this list, requires a wired connection to a receiver or amplifier.

Pros

Sold individually
Affordable price point
Quality sound and construction

Cons

Relatively large so not as inconspicuous as some speakers

Best High-End Outdoor System

MartinLogan Outdoor Living Foundation 8.1 Surround Sound System

Setting up a backyard home theater is a gratifying way to spend spring or summer evenings. A projector and inflatable screen bring a big picture anywhere you want it, but for true surround sound outdoors, you'll need a system like the MartinLogan Outdoor Living Foundation 8.1.

This is a passive, wired speaker system, but the speakers and the subwoofer are specially designed for installation in outdoor spaces, in fact, it will cover up to 3000 square feet.

Pros

True surround sound in your backyard
Underground wire connection
Highest quality, 400-watt speakers
Comes with an outdoor subwoofer

Cons

Expensive price point
Buried wire means it is difficult to move speakers after placement

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