Here are the best outdoor speakers you can find that are perfect for gardens, patios and backyards – having outdoor speakers in the backyard can be really entertaining experience for you and your guests, and provide a wonderful listening experience to lighten the mood for events and gatherings. These speakers are specially designed to survive the harsh outdoor conditions and have a solid waterproof exterior to protect against rain and other elements; they also deliver very good sound performance while positioned outdoors. Furthermore, some of these speakers support wireless streaming in addition to being wired for added convenience. We have previously written a guide on outdoor speaker placement to get the best sound performance which you can also check out. At the time of writing, some of these best outdoor speakers are now selling at very good prices, so don’t forget to check them out!
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How We Choose
Our Top Picks
Outdoor Speaker Setup
How we choose
We choose the best outdoor speakers based on a combination of several factors, namely, sound quality, weatherproof design, ease of installation and value. The very best speakers in this category are capable of producing excellent sound performance in outdoor open spaces and can project enough volume to fill a large patio or backyard with filling sound. We also select speakers based on their weatherproof design and how well they can stand up against tough weather conditions; we only pick outdoor speakers that can resist rough outdoor weather conditions and extreme temperatures for prolonged periods of time. These speakers come with easy installation guides and wall mounts for quick setup, so you will be able to set up your outdoor speaker system in no time. Be sure to check out our top picks for the best outdoor speakers below!
If you are looking for portable Bluetooth speakers you can take outdoors, be sure to check out our updated list of the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers you can find now selling at very good prices.
#1 Best Overall: Dual Electronics 4 inch 3-Way High Performance Outdoor Speakers
The Dual Electronics are some of the best outdoor speakers you can get for your backyard or patio. They come with a 4 inch 3-way multi-purpose design which allows them to produce very good sound quality both indoors and outdoors. They are digitally optimized and carefully crafted to produce a stunning 100 Watts of peak power with 50 Watts RMS, and have a broad frequency range between 100 Hz to 20kHz for better sound reproduction. The 4 inch woofer, 1” midrange polypropylene cone and ¾” tweeter is capable of producing very good sound performance that sounds naturally amplified in open spaces. It also comes with versatile swivel brackets which can be installed on the wall or ceiling with a 120 degree range of motion in a vertical or horizontal placement with a 90 degree range of motion which is great if you need to adjust the speaker placement. Furthermore, the Dual Electronic speakers are coated with UV resistant resin and housed in an ABS enclosure to protect it from outside elements, making them great for placing in the patio or backyard. If you are looking for one of the best outdoor speakers for your home, the Dual Electronics speakers come highly recommended.
The sound performance of the Dual Electronics is very good, with crisp highs, detailed midrange and very decent bass reproduction. The sound quality is excellent at both very low and higher volumes, and does not distort when the volume is cranked up to maximum. They can definitely get loud enough to the point where you can start to annoy your neighbours, and are perfect speakers for poolside listening or just chilling around your backyard. Vocal reproductions on this speaker sounded very natural, clear and well defined; the treble reproduction is very pristine and does not sound harsh. Listening to country folk music and pop music was equally enjoyable, with good stereo imaging from both speakers – you can adjust these speakers using the swivel to get the best sound imaging possible. We liked the fact that these speakers can project sound outwards very well without sounding tiny. While the bass reproduction on the Dual Electronic speakers is decent, they will definitely do better if paired with an outdoor subwoofer system. On the whole, these speakers do pump out very good sound quality for the price, and are definitely among the very best you can get at a reasonable price range.
The Dual Electronics speakers need to be paired with a decent receiver to drive them – we would recommend the Pyle stereo receiver with good quality outdoor wiring. They are capable of producing 100 Watts of peak power which can easily fill open spaces with good quality music. The 4” woofer provides some decent bass response together with the ¾” tweeter which produces high audio frequencies for crisp sound performance. The speakers are built like tanks and come inside an ABS enclosure which protect them against outdoor elements and long exposure to sunlight. We liked the fact that these speakers come with versatile swivel brackets which you can use to hook up these speakers by your patio or backyard deck; the speakers only weigh a mere 2.8 lbs which make them lightweight and relatively easy to install. These speakers can survive in outdoor environments for long periods of time – they can go through thunderstorms and heavy rain without any issues. Be sure to use high quality outdoor speaker wires when hooking up these speakers – we have written a setup guide which you can follow below.
The Verdict? The Dual Electronics speakers are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find now selling at a very good budget price. They are designed to produce up to 100 Watts of peak power with 50 Watts RMS, making them powerful enough to fill large open spaces with good quality sound. The sound performance of these speakers is very good, with distinct highs, detailed midrange and decent bass response – while the bass is not the earth shattering type, it will definitely add a good kick to your music when paired with a decent audio receiver. They also have a frequency response between 100Hz to 20KHz which make them capable of playing virtually any music genre without sounding unnatural or distorted. They are also very lightweight speakers weighing a mere 2.8 lbs and come with versatile swivel brackets for easy setup; they are housed in an ABS enclosure which makes them resistant to outdoor elements. The manufacturers have also provided a 1 year warranty for these speakers which show just how much they stand behind their products. If you are looking for one of the best outdoor speakers for your garden or patio, these speakers are definitely a great choice.
#2 Best Value: Kicker KB6000 Full Range Outdoor Speakers
The Kicker KB6000 is one of the best outdoor speakers you can find with incredibly good sound performance and music quality. They are 6.5” full range speakers that have a maximum power output of 150 Watts and RMS power of 75 Watts which is more than enough power to fill up a large open space with high quality sound. These are 2 way speakers, with each speaker equipped with a 16.5” woofer and 12.7” tweeter for high quality sound reproduction. They also have a frequency response of 21 Hz to 21KHz which is great for almost any music genre. The Kicker speakers also feature a full marine outdoor grade design which make them water resistant to rain and outdoor elements; you can literally keep these speakers outdoors for months without having to worry about replacing them. They sound especially good when paired with good stereo amplification; do bear in mind that you will need outdoor speaker wires when hooking setting up these speakers. If you are looking for one of the best outdoor speakers in terms of sound performance, the Kicker KB6000s are definitely the ones to get.
The Kicker KB6000s sound really good in outdoor open spaces when connected to a decent audio receiver They will easily fill a typical backyard, patio and deck with high quality music especially where the listeners are positioned closer to the speakers. These speakers are perfect if you need music in a typical setting like a porch or pool area – they are easily mountable and adjustable to get the best sound imaging possible for your music. These speakers can get very loud and easily loud enough to annoy your neighbors if you crank the volume up to maximum; they do not distort when playing music at their maximum volume setting which is great. Playing pop and rock music through these speakers sounded very good and enjoyable to listen to – they do produce decent bass response but will definitely do better with a dedicated outdoor subwoofer. Vocal music sounded really good with crisp details and distinct treble; the speakers really do get the job of reproducing every single detail in the music with crystal clarity. That being said, we would recommend connecting these speakers to an audio receiver with over 50 Watts per channel to drive them better.
The Kicker KB6000s have a very clean and well thought out design; they are very easy to setup and install on wall mounts with outdoor speaker wires. The speaker dimensions are 17” x 15” x 10” and have an approximate weight of 16 pounds. They look really sleek and modern when installed in the backyard or garden deck. The speakers also hold up pretty well when exposed to outdoor elements; they are coated with a water resistant casing which make them impervious to rain and moisture. The speakers can also be installed on wall mounts and rotated to get the best positioning in your garden, backyard or pool. You will need to use high quality outdoor speaker wires when connecting to these speakers to get the best sound performance. We were very pleased with how well these speakers looked when fully setup on the patio.
The Verdict? The Kicker KB6000s are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find for your patio, backyard or decks. They are capable of producing a maximum power of 150 Watts which is powerful enough to fill most outdoor spaces easily; they sound quality that you get from these speakers is really top notch. Listening to music on the KB6000s was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and you can really pick up the details in the music with these speakers. They also produce very decent bass response and plenty of volume when connected to a dedicated stereo receiver. The speakers are also built like a tank and can withstand months of abuse in outdoor open environments; they are coated with a water resistant material that makes them shielded from rain and moisture. Overall, the Kicker KB6000s are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find in terms of sound quality and are selling at a good bargain price; you really do get the quality of a high-end speaker with these speakers at a fraction of the price.
#3 Best Sound Quality: Definitive Technology AW 6500 Outdoor Speaker
The Definitive Technology AW6500s are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find with extremely powerful high fidelity sound performance. While they are certainly not the cheapest outdoor speakers out there, they do produce phenomenal and high fidelity sound. These speakers come equipped with one 6.5 inch BDSS cast basket bass and mid driver, and one 5.5×10-inch pressure driven low bass radiator for enhanced bass response. The acoustic drivers also come with a one 1-inch pure aluminium dome tweeter for incredibly high fidelity sound performance. The 10” woofer reflects the bass off the mounted wall and gives incredible bass presence to the music, while the 6.5” mid speaker produces very detailed midrange. You can also align the tweeters to face outwards and the bass titled inwards to project the sound outdoors and enhance the bass response off the walls at the same time, which produces very rich and crisp sound in the garden and on the patio area. If you are looking for one of the best outdoor speakers with super high fidelity sound and power, the Definitive Technology AW6500s are hands down some of the best speakers you will find.
The sound performance of the Definitive Technology AW6500s is way better than we anticipated – the sound quality is simply superb, with very crisp highs, detailed midrange and punchy bass that makes listening music in your outdoor garden or patio a very surreal experience. These speakers make use of high excursion active drivers with low-bass radiators to produce more bass output than you can expect from an outdoor speaker of similar size. The end result is that the bass produced from these speakers can literally rattle your window while playing music. Listening to electronica and rock music with these speakers pointed outwards to the garden can literally turn your garden into a night disco. The volume on these speakers is also loud enough to annoy your neighbors; the sound does not distort a single bit when cranked up to the maximum volume. We also liked the fact that the sound is excellent at low volumes and high volumes, without any compromise in the overall sound quality. We would recommend using a high quality receiver with at least 100 Watts per channel and high quality outdoor gauge wire for the best sound performance.
We would add that the bass response on the Definitive Technology speakers is so impressive that there is really no need to get a separate subwoofer with these speakers. The sound is exceptionally good with very clear highs and deep bass; it will literally redefine what you can expect from high quality speakers. If you want to add Bluetooth functionality to these speakers, we would recommend using a Bluetooth receiver that is powerful enough to power these speakers and stream music from your mobile device at the same time. The amount of bass that these speakers can produce when placed near a corner at the patio or garden deck is simply outstanding.
The Definitive Technology speakers feature a fully reliable and weatherproof design which protects the electronic wiring and acoustic drivers. The speaker enclosure is fully sealed for protection against outdoor elements. It also features aluminium grilles, rugged PolyStone enclosures and can be fully exposed to the outdoor elements while delivering excellent sound quality. They come with galvanized steel brackets with a unique shape to allow for 360 degree of rotation and motion; you can easily align these speakers to project sound to the desired listening area. For the best sound, we would recommend pointing the active driver baffle towards the targeted area while pointing the low-bass radiator downwards facing the wall or ground for enhanced bass response. The end result is that you will get crystal clear midrange, extended highs and very strong bass in outdoor open spaces. It is truly one of those rare outdoor speakers that truly delivers sound performance above expectations.
The Verdict? If you are looking for one of the best outdoor speakers that can produce phenomenal sound performance and don’t mind paying for it, we would most definitely recommend the Definitive Technology AW 6500s. While these speakers certainly don’t come cheap, they represent a great investment and are highly value for money. They produce high fidelity sound that rivals even that of high end speakers; the sound quality from these speakers is simply among the very best. The AW 6500 comes with a high fidelity tweeter that can be adjusted outwards to get the best speaker imaging in outdoor open spaces, and has a low-firing bass radiator which creates excellent bass response when facing the wall or ground. It is well and truly one of the best outdoor speakers that can deliver the ideal balance between crisp highs, detailed midrange and booming bass, and we have no doubt that you will enjoy them as much as we did.
#4 Most Compact: The Yamaha NS-AW194WH Outdoor Speakers
The Yamaha NS-AW194WHs are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find in terms of value, and combines superior sound performance with an excellent compact weatherproofing design. They are moderately priced speakers that do deliver good quality sound and give you the bang for the buck. These speakers come with flexible installation options with supplied mounting brackets – you can easily rotate and change their position to get the best sound imaging. The Yamahas feature a two-way bass reflex design for enhanced bass response, and come with powder-coated grilles with provides very good weatherproof properties – these speakers can be left out in the open for months on end without any issues. They have a very simple and aesthetically pleasing design that allows them to be installed in many types of areas including the backyard, deck and patio. If you are looking for one of the best outdoor speakers that represent great value for money with very good sound performance, the Yamahas are the way to go.
The Yamahas sound very good when mounted outdoors; it produces enough volume to be placed in an outdoor deck or patio. They are designed to be mounted on walls and come with brackets and tightening knobs, which makes them ideal for poolside listening or by the garden. Vocal performances from these speakers sounded very crisp and detailed, and the bass notes are finely reproduced with decent impact. You can crank up the volume on the Yamaha speakers without or with very little distortion; they can get really loud and powerful enough to annoy your neighbors. The highs on these speakers sound crisp and detailed, and the midrange feels smooth and enjoyable to listen to – playing country folk and 1980s rock music on these speakers felt like a surreal experience. The two-way bass reflex design on these speakers does help to enhance the bass response, although you would get better bass by adjusting the EQ settings on the stereo receiver. Be sure to connect the Yamaha speakers to a dedicated powered receiver to get the best sound performance.
We found that the Yamaha speakers sound best when mounted on a wall with a height around 5 to 6 feet – be sure to position them correct to get the best sound imaging from these speakers in an open environment. The speakers come with flexible installation options and the manufacturer also provide supplied mounting brackets to nail them to a wall, although you will need to get your own screws for this purpose. They look very sleek and modern when setup on the deck or patio – the powder coated grilles provide nice weatherproofing and shielding from outdoor elements such as rain and moisture. You can hook these speakers up in a vertical or horizontal orientation; we also liked the fact that the Yamaha nameplate on the speaker can be turned to match your speaker orientation. They feel like a very solid set of speakers that will last for a long period of time both indoors and outdoors without any issues.
The Verdict? The Yamaha NS-AW184WHs are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find at a very good value price. They deliver superb sound performance with crisp highs, detailed midrange and very good bass response. The speakers are designed with a two-way bass reflex to provide enhanced bass response and do perform very well when connected to a dedicated sound amplifier. They also come with powder-coated grilles which make them weatherproof and resistant to outdoor elements – they can be placed at the deck or patio for months without any issues. We would recommend placing these speakers under a sheltered area under the patio and avoid direct contact with rain and sunlight. The acoustic drivers on these speakers are able to produce incredibly loud volume and will easily fill up a large open space with rich sound. At the time of writing, these best outdoor speakers are now selling for a very good price, so don’t forget to check them out!
#5 Best for Bluetooth: Sound Appeal Bluetooth Outdoor Speakers
The Sound Appeal Bluetooth 5.25 weatherproof speakers are hands down some of the best outdoor speakers you can find with Bluetooth functionality, and are suitable for patios, gardens and decks. These wireless outdoor speakers feature Bluetooth 3.0 technology and are the ideal solution for those who want to hook up a speaker by the poolside, patio or garden deck. These speakers come with a 30W high efficiency Class D amplifier that will easily fill your outdoor area with very good sound; simply connect one speaker into a 110V outlet and connect the master speaker to the other slave speaker to get the system running. The Sound Appeal speakers allow you to stream music wirelessly for up to 60 feet from your backyard or pool area with high fidelity sound. It also comes with a weatherproof design in a stylish black cabinet for protection against the outdoor elements. The Sound Appeal speakers are really for those who aim to cut out as much wiring as possible in their outdoor speaker setup and we highly recommend them for wireless music streaming in outdoor spaces.
The Sound Appeal speakers are capable of producing very good sound quality and nice volume without any distortion. You can mount them by the patio or garden deck walls and easily position them to face the area which you want to project the sound to. The Sound Appeal speakers can pump out clean, detailed and smooth sound that great treble response that does not sound harsh. The 5.25” woofer provides decent bass response and crystal clear vocals with a high level of fidelity The 1” dome tweeter also keeps the highs smooth and can project vocal performances through longer distances outdoors. The great thing about the Sound Appeal speakers is that they come with a high efficiency Class D design with 30W RMS of output power, which means that you can simply connect them to a power outlet and get started. The Bluetooth range is decent and comes with A2DP technology for better quality streaming. The frequency response on these speakers is a good 45Hz to 20kHZ which is good enough for most music genres. They are really good outdoor speakers that deliver quality sound over a wireless connection.
The Sound Appeal speakers can be easily mounted on the patio or a wall in your backyard and adjustable to get the best sound imaging possible. It also comes in a weatherproof cabinet which has a nice smooth finish and is made of durable ABS material which can last a long time in outdoor spaces. The internal cabinet walls are designed to be thick with rigid bracing to prevent unwanted cabinet resonances, provide clear and clean sound at low to high volumes. The pivoting mounts on these speakers easily crew off the side screws which make mounting these speakers on the wall very simple. The Bluetooth connectivity on these speakers work pretty well and you can stream music from up to 60 feet using your mobile device or a compatible Bluetooth device. They are very easy to setup and are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find with full Bluetooth streaming.
The Verdict? The Sound Appeal are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find with full Bluetooth streaming capabilities for outdoor use. The acoustic drivers and woofers are specially designed to produce very rich and crisp sound, while providing very decent bass response with a good level of music fidelity. Listening to country folk and pop music on these speakers was a very enjoyable experience; we thoroughly enjoyed how smooth and crisp the music sounded with these speakers. Furthermore, the Sound Appeal speakers come in durable ABS casings which make them suitable for exposure to the outdoor elements; they are easily mountable and very convenient to setup. If you are looking for one of the best outdoor speakers with wireless streaming to cut out the amount of wiring needed for an outdoor speaker system setup, the Sound Appeal definitely comes highly recommended.
#6 Best for Patios and Decks: The Yamaha NS-AW350W Outdoor Speakers
The Yamaha NS-AW350Ws are without doubt one of the best outdoor speakers you can find for patio and decks, and pumps out exceptionally good sound in smaller open spaces. These are very high quality speakers that come with a portable design for easy mounting and placement, and are Energy Star certified. The entire package comes with one pair of 2-way outdoor Yamaha speakers that look very sleek and well designed. It features an acoustic-suspension design for clear sound and controlled bass response, and can deliver a whopping 130 Watts of maximum power with 40 Watts of nominal power. Each speaker is equipped with a 6.5-inch polypropylene mica-filled woofer and a 1 inch PEI dome tweeter which is magnetically shielded and water resistant. The speakers have a nominal impedance of 6 ohms which means that they will work nicely with amplifiers of up to 40 watts per channel or 130 Watts of peak power. It also carries a frequency response of 55 to 40,000 Hz which is a really nice frequency range to have for full bass and treble reproduction. It is one of the best outdoor speakers you can find for your deck and patio areas and we highly recommend them.
The Yamaha NS-AW350Ws have incredibly good sound performance when paired with a decent audio receiver with at least 100 watts per channel. The sound quality that you get with these speakers is very crisp, with very nice highs and low frequency response – vocal performances and classical jazz sounded loud and crystal clear. They can literally turn your backyard or patio area into a comfortable longue for listening to music. The bass response was solid and very warm, and coupled with good speaker placement they can produce very clean and detailed sound. While these speakers will not produce the earth-shattering type of bass, they specialize in producing crystal clear clean sound that feels very pleasant and enjoyable to listen to. If you enjoy classical and folk country music, these outdoor speakers will definitely do the trick. The Yamaha NS-AW350Ws are approximately the size of a rock melon and come with all the needed equipment to hook them up and get started.
We would add that the Yamaha NS-AW350Ws are capable of filling outdoor spaces very well and can be cranked up to maximum volume without any distortion, although they are best suited for patio and decks because of their smaller, more compact design. We would recommend placing them around 8 to 10 feet apart to provide a uniform sound experience. They are also decent speakers for indoor use and are good for music genres down to around 70 to 80 hz. That being said, the NS-AW350Ws are not designed to produce a lot of bass and placing them in completely open spaces may make the music sound tinny. For the best sound experience, we would recommend hooking them up around the patio and deck area in a smaller open environment for better sound projection.
The Yamaha speakers are housed in acoustic-suspension cabinets which are sealed to prevent undue resonance or muddy bass response. The speakers are also magnetically shielded which means that you can place them near a TV or computer without any static interference from them. The speakers are also designed to be water resistant and can withstand light wind and rain with its sealed enclosures and metal grilles. That being said, we would not recommend exposing these speakers directly under the rain or sunlight; they are more suited for patio and decks where they can be mounted under a sheltered area. They should ideally be brought indoors during winter to avoid exposure to the cold; they can easily double as indoor outdoor speakers when required. The entire package comes with two speakers, speaker bases, mounting brackets and user manual, together with a warranty from the manufacturer.
The Verdict? The Yamaha NS-AW350Ws are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find for your patio and decks, and some of the most cost-effective speakers in this category. They can produce very crisp, detailed and smooth sound with nice vocal reproduction; playing jazz and classical music through these speakers can really add to an enjoyable listening experience. Furthermore, these speakers are relatively easy to power and can be driven by audio receivers with 40 Watts per channel. They will not produce a lot of bass response due to their portable design but certainly works very well when used in an enclosed outdoor area; we would recommend keeping these speakers at least 8 to 10 feet apart to get better speaker placement and sound imaging. The speakers are also designed to be water resistant but should be kept under sheltered areas to prolonged periods of time. If you are looking for some of the best outdoor speakers that represent good value for money for your patio or deck, the Yamaha NS-AW350Ws are definitely a great option.
#7 Best Design: Bose 151 Elegant Outdoor Speakers
The Bose 151 SE are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find with a truly elegant and sleek design for any outdoor setting. They come equipped with 2-1/2” full range environmental drivers which are capable of producing very good quality sound in outdoor spaces. The drivers are positioned by an articulated array design that delivers consistent stereo sound performance to the designed area. The speakers come in a glass-filled polypropylene cabinet which provides years of protection against extreme weather conditions and outdoor elements. It also comes with adjustable weather-resistant brackets which provide secure installation on most surfaces and walls. The speakers are specially engineered and tested to withstand heavy rain, snow, freezing temperatures and moisture, which make them perfect for garden or backyard use. They also feature a very sleek and nice elegant design that blends in with your backyard. While they do not come cheap, they are certainly some of the best outdoor speakers in terms of design and sound quality that are available today.
The Bose 151 SEs produce excellent audio clarity and sound performance when hooked up to a decent audio receiver. They produce great sound with crystal clear midrange and nice treble response – they sound nearly “theater-like” for a set of outdoor speakers. We particularly liked the articulated array design which makes the whole outdoor space filled with rich and clear sound. Listening to vocal and jazz performances on the Bose 151 was a very enjoyable and surreal experience; it felt as though the singer was standing right in front of us. The amount of vocal clarity that you get with these speakers is very impressive; it sounds natural and smooth as though you are sitting in a live concert. We were particularly impressed by how punchy the bass sounded through these speakers – the bass goes deep and low and have a powerful impact even in open spaces. Listening to rock and electronic dance music through these speakers felt almost like being in a concert party. The speakers can easily go loud enough to annoy your neighbors so this is something to watch out for.
The Bose speakers feature a very sleek and modern design that blends in well with patio and backyard décor. They can be easily mounted on the wall and connected to an audio receiver to get the sound system going. The compact speakers are housed in sleek, slender cabinets that can blend gracefully and stylishly without being obtrusive. The cabinets are made of a strong durable material which makes these speakers resistant to rain, snow, freezing temperatures and moisture, and also come with weather-resistant mounting brackets which you can use to easily mount these speakers to a wall or patio. The good thing is that the adjustable brackets also allow for vertical or horizontal placement depending on where you wish to project the sound do. Each speaker has a dimension of 4-1/2” x 12” x 6”, making them relatively easy to mount without being too bulky. They are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find that you can mount in your garden and backyard without having to worry about long term exposure to the outdoor elements.
The Verdict? The Bose 151 SEs are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find with a stunning design and superb sound performance. These speakers are capable of producing incredibly crisp highs, detailed midrange and very good bass response which make them sound nearly theater-like. It comes with articulated array design that helps you position the speakers to get rich and full sound in outdoor open spaces; we would also recommend reading our outdoor speaker placement guide to get a sense of how to position these speakers. The speakers need to be connected to a decent audio receiver to power them and does deliver high-fidelity sound. We also liked the fact that it comes in a glass-filled polypropylene cabinet which helps to provide years of protection against extreme weather conditions and outdoor elements. The design of the speakers is incredibly sleek and unobtrusive, which makes them perfect for placing in the garden or backyard while playing music for your guests. If you are looking for one of the best outdoor speakers with a very sleek and modern looking appearance and great sound quality, the Bose 151 SEs are definitely the ones to check out.
#8 Best Rock Speaker: Theater Solutions 2R8G 8-inch Rock Outdoor Speaker
The Theater Solutions 2R8Gs are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find for garden use, especially if you are looking for a rock speaker to blend into the surrounding landscape and plants. This rock speaker is an incredibly powerful speaker with an 8” 8ohm driver that is rated at 250 Watts RMS and 500 Watts peak power – this is enough power to fill up a large backyard with rich filling sound. The speaker is also angled at a 20 degree level to deliver excellent sound performance at great level. The rock speaker has a sensitivity level of 97dB and a frequency range of 50Hz to 20kHz. The speakers use poly mica 9 ohm drivers with sealed voice coils and butyl rubber surrounds for high fidelity sound reproduction. It is also silicone sealed with multi-layer composite cabinets with rust resistant steel grills, which make these speakers weatherproof against rain, snow and sunlight. The Theater Solutions rock speakers comes as a set of 2 wired speakers together as a bundle. If you are looking for one of the best outdoor speakers to simulate natural rocks in your garden landscape, the Theater Solutions 2R8Gs is easily a great choice.
The sound quality of the Theater Solutions 2R8G rock speakers is very good with decent bass response. They have pretty good treble and crisp highs, with a nice midrange that sounds clean and clear. Vocal performances with these speakers sounded very clear and not harsh at all; they felt nicely defined and smooth when cranked up to higher volumes. The speakers are voiced for outdoor performance to provide better quality sound in open air environments; the drivers are also angled upwards in the enclosure to ensure that the sound reaches ear level. We liked the fact that these speakers came as a set which means that you can wire both speakers and place them at a sweet spot in your garden to get the best sound imaging. That being said, these speakers do not produce much bass resonance due to the fact that they are small in size and place on the ground, and are much more suited for music genres that do not require much bass. They work best when placed in a garden landscape or near the patio where your guests can listen to music and walk around at the same time.
The key advantage of the Theater Solutions rock speakers is that they can discretely blend into your outdoor environment by simulating nature rocks in your garden landscape. The rock speakers are specially designed to be weather resistant with multi-layered silicone sealed cabinets with rust resistant steel grilles that make them impervious to rain, snow, ice and moisture. You can literally leave these speakers in an open environment for years without having to worry about damaging these speakers. The rock speakers themselves are manufactured using durable plastic and durable materials and are silicone sealed and tested to ensure they do not degrade under high temperatures. When placed beside real-live plants and rocks, these speakers certainly pass off as real rocks and can surprise your guests when you start playing music through them. The Theater Solution rock speakers come in Granite Grey, Lava or Sandstone and in 4.5”, 6.5” or 8” designs to integrate in your home landscape environment. They are also suitable for patios and decks if you choose to use them for that purpose.
The Verdict? The Theater Solutions rock speakers are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find that can easily blend into your garden landscape. The speakers do deliver pristine sound performance with very detailed highs, midrange and decent bass. Do note that because these speakers are slightly smaller, they will not produce much bass from their enclosure and due to their position from ground level. The speaker drivers are angled at a 20 degree level upwards to ensure that the sound travels to ear level, and come in a set of 2 speakers for you to decide where to position them for better sound imaging. They also come in durable composite cabinets with rust resistant grills which are capable of surviving the outdoor elements for extended periods of time without any issues. They are also available in multiple designs to choose from which an added plus. The Theater Solutions 2R8Gs are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find that can easily blend into your garden landscape and are now selling at a good price, so be sure to check them out!
#9 Best High End: Bose 251 Environmental Outdoor Speaker
The Bose 251 environmental speaker is one of the best outdoor speakers you can find in the high end range with extremely good sound quality. They are highly versatile outdoor speakers which you can use by your poolside, patio, backyard or garden and anywhere that you want to play high quality music. The Bose 251 speaker features an articulated array design which produces clearer sound in open spaces. It also comes with a multi-chamber bass enclosure for deeper bass response. The Bose 251 speaker is housed inside a water-resistant composite casing which make these speakers tough enough to withstand high temperatures or extreme weather conditions, and is snow and rain resistant. This speaker is built to deliver balanced stereo sound over a wider outdoor area with precise angled speakers in each enclosure to enhance the sound field. They are also easily mountable on external walls and connect easily to stereo components, and feature a unique stylish design that looks modern and sleek. If you are looking for one of the best outdoor speakers for your garden, patio or backyard, the Bose 251 environmental speakers are definitely one of the best in the high end range.
The sound performance of the Bose 251s is excellent, and comes with detailed installation instructions to get the right distances and speaker placement. The sound quality from the Bose 251 when installed correctly is incredible, and sound just like a professional stereo sound system. The highs and midranges are clearly articulated on these speakers, and have the kind of refined quality that you get only with speakers in the high end range. Vocal performances sounded lifelike and very succinctly reproduced, while jazz performances and classical music sounded off the charts pitch perfect. The sound that the Bose 251s produce has plenty of presence – it can fill up an entire outdoor space without sounding too loud or harsh, and feels very high quality. The bass response on these speakers is also very good; the bass is tight, punchy and well-articulated without mudding into the midrange. The Bose 251s definitely get things right when reproducing some of the best acoustic performances we have ever heard in an outdoor open space – this is truly a feat considering that the 251s were designed to be weather resistant and for outdoor use.
The Bose 251s have a very elegant and sleek design – they look modern when installed under a patio and blend in nicely with wooden décor. They are also easily wall mountable and can be angled and positioned such that it can project sound out into open environments. Installing these speakers by the poolside or by the yard will instantly transform that space with a relaxing audio listening experience. They do require a little more power than most other outdoor speakers in this category, so be sure to get an audio receiver that can drive them. They are also highly durable speakers that can last a long time under tough weather conditions – they come inside a water-resistant composite casing which makes them impervious to rain or hot or cold temperatures. Straight out of the box, you can feel that the Bose 251s have a certain weight to them which indicates that they are made of high quality materials. Installing these speakers is a very simple process and the bracket assembly is easy to manage and comes with simple instructions on how to mount the speakers on different surfaces.
The Verdict? While the Bose 251s do not come cheap, they are hands down some of the best outdoor speakers you can find with phenomenal sound performance. They are perfect for gardens, patios and backyards and are easily installable with mounting brackets. The sound performance of the Bose 251s is hands down incredible and sounds like having a professional stereo system in your backyard – they produce incredibly refined vocals, crisp highs, detailed midrange and very good bass response which is surprising considering that these are all-weather speakers. The water-resistant enclosure feels tough and durable and will protect the 251s from the outdoor elements including rain, heat, sunlight and moisture. These speakers are definitely built to last for a long time; we also liked the sleek and modern design which makes these speakers blend in easily into patio décor. It’s one of the best outdoor speakers you can find and represent a good value investment if you want to have great speakers in your backyard or outdoor garden for the long term.
#10 Best Bass Response: Dayton Audio IO655W Outdoor Speaker
The Dayton Audio IO655W speakers are some of the best outdoor speakers for patios and backyards with stunning bass reproduction and high quality sound. These speakers feature a 6 ½” mineral-filled polypropylene woofer with rubber surround for low-end frequency sound reproduction, and a 1-inch metalized mylar dome tweeter for high frequency sounds. The bass response on these outdoor speakers is phenomenally good, with tight punchy bass reproduction that feels impactful and solid. The Dayton IO655W speakers have a power handling of 50 watts RMS with 85 watts max power, and a wide frequency response of 45hz to 20kHz and an impedance of 8 ohms. They also have a dimension of 11” x 8.25” x 8.75” and are perfect for mounting on walls under a patio or in a backyard. They are very solid and some of the best outdoor speakers that can really pack a punch when it comes to sound performance in outdoor open spaces. If you are looking for a set of high performance speakers that will literally rock your backyard, the Dayton Audio IO655Ws is definitely a great choice.
The sound performance of Dayton Audio speakers was much better than we expected. We were so impressed by how good these speakers sounded especially at the low-end frequency levels and bass response. They are capable of producing very crisp highs, detailed midranges and stunning amounts of bass that will rock your garden and backyard. The treble response was also very crisp and good, and really takes your outdoor music listening experience to the next level. Listening to rock and electronic dance music on these speakers was like listening to a professional sound system in action; the beats and vocal reproduction from these speakers is crystal clear and sublime. The acoustic speakers can also be adjusted via the swivel action, which make them very easy to direct depending on where you want to project the sound. Do note that you will need to hook these speakers up to a decent receiver with at least 50 watts per channel to drive them – but once you have hooked them up you will really be impressed by how good and punchy these speakers can go.
The Dayton Audio IO655W feature a quality construction that looks and feels very solid. They have a water-resistant enclosure and tough casing that shield the internal components from tough outdoor elements and weather conditions. They have a very stylistic and minimalist appearance and blends in easily into patio décor when mounted by the deck. The Dayton Audio speakers are slightly larger and bulky, but once you hook them up to the wall mounts and audio receiver you will definitely be in for an audio treat. Setting up these speakers was very easy and can be hooked up to any amplifier or receiver which supports 8 ohms speakers, but ideally should supply up to 50 watts RMS per channel. These speakers will go very loud when cranked up to maximum volume without any distortion; they certainly can get loud enough to annoy your neighbors, so don’t push them too hard.
The Verdict? The Dayton Audio IO655Ws are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find that delivers great value for money. They deliver truly impressive sound performance, with rich highs, good midrange and a stunning amount of bass. They can deliver enough power to fill up a large backyard with rich sound and punchy bass response, and can literally rock an entire party for hours on end without missing a beat. We were pleasantly surprised at how good these speakers actually sounded when compared to other speakers in the high-end range; these speakers shine particularly in the bass and low-end frequency range. Installing these speakers is as simple as hooking them up to a good AV receiver with at least 50 watts RMS per channel and are easily wall mountable on different surfaces for versatility. They are hands down one of the best outdoor speakers you can find for your garden, backyard and patio and we highly recommend them.
#11 Best Mid-Tier: AVX 6.5” Weatherproof Outdoor Speakers
The AVX 6.5” PSP-B1 weatherproof speakers are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find in the mid-tier range, delivering high quality sound performance at low cost. The AVX audio speakers feature a 6 ½” injected polypropylene cone and butyl rubber surround for extended bass response, with a 1” PEI dome tweeter designed for outdoor use with corrosion resistant properties. The speaker also comes with secure 5-way binding posts which connects to bare speaker wires, spade connectors or banana plugs, making them very versatile – they will accommodate speaker wire up to 12 gauge. The AVX speaker has a power handling rating of 90 watts RMS with 180 watts max, and a wide frequency response of 45 Hz to 20kHz. The impedance on these speakers is a standard 8 ohms and can be driven by any receiver or amplifier set to this rating. The entire package also comes with mounting brackets for easy and quick installation together with a useful user manual. The AVX PSP-B1s are definitely some of the best outdoor speakers you can find at a very affordable price, so don’t forget to check them out!
The sound quality and performance of the AVX 6.5” speakers is very good for mid-tier speakers. They are full-range speakers that are capable of playing a wide variety of music, and produce detailed sound with crystal clarity. Each speaker comes with a 6.5” polypropylene mica-filled woofer to enhance the bass response and produce a broader sound stage. The large acoustic drivers are optimized for high rigidity, giving them a higher sensitivity which means that they can be driven by most sound amplifiers and AV receivers. The highs and midrange that we got from these speakers were crisp, clear and well defined. Vocal performances sounded quite lifelike, with great attention to detail and subtle notes. You can really pick up the subtle details in your music with these speakers, and you can also crank the volume up on these speakers without expanding too much power on your receiver. The speaker does not distort at high volumes which is a good thing; they are loud enough to fill up a large backyard or patio with rich filling sound. That being said, we found that the AVX speakers are somewhat lacking in bass, and will certainly benefit from an outdoor subwoofer being connected to them. Apart from the bass, the AVX speakers do produce high-fidelity sound that we thoroughly enjoyed listening to.
The AVX PSP-B1s are housed in special cabinets made of resonant absorbing material which are constructed from polymer to enhance the mid-low end response and reduce vibrations. They do have pretty good soundstage when positioned correct in the patio or deck. The AVX speakers are also designed to be weatherproof and come with a powder-coated aluminium grille and speaker mount that is resistant to corrosion and rust. The micro-meh design on the grille blocks outdoor elements from coming in while providing an avenue for the speaker sound to go through. The cabinet is also encased in UV protected paint to ensure protection against exposure to sunlight and heat. You can literally keep these speakers under your patio or backyard for months and years without any issues; we would however recommend placing these speakers indoors if weather conditions get too extreme. The manufacturer provides a nice two-year warranty to go with these speakers which shows just how committed they are to their product.
The Verdict? The AVX PSP-B1s are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find in the mid-tier range that delivers the best balance between sound quality and price. These speakers are built with highly sensitive drivers which require less power to push them, meaning that you can use almost any amplifier or receiver to drive them – we would recommend an amplifier with at least 50 watts RMS per channel. The sound quality from these speakers is definitely worth the price; you get crisp highs, very good midrange and decent bass response. In terms of audio clarity, the AVX speakers certainly do deliver above par. They also come inside weatherproof cabinets that are designed to take a beating from outdoor elements, and come with rust resistant grilles for long term exposure. They are well and truly a solid set of weatherproof speakers you can find and we highly recommend them if you are looking for one of the best outdoor speakers on a budget.
#12 Best High Performance: Pyle PDWR54BTB Outdoor Speakers
The Pyle PDWR54BTBs are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find with high performance speaker drivers with an incredible 600 watt rating that represents exceptional value for money. They also support Bluetooth wireless music streaming and works well with virtually all Bluetooth music sources with its built-in 2 channel amplifier. Each speaker features 5.25” woofers and a 1” dome tweeter to produce full range sound; it also comes with rear gold-plated speaker plug terminals and RCA audio input connector jacks to connect to your AV receiver or amplifier. The Pyle speakers also give you the unique ability to daisy-chain active speaker to passive speaker as a stereo system. They come in full marine grade waterproof housing cabinets and are great for adding full, rich sound to your decks, patios and backyards. We have no doubt that these speakers are some of the best high performance speakers you can find that will literally rock an entire outdoor gathering or party. At the time of writing, the Pyle PDWR54BTBs are now selling at a very reasonable price, so don’t forget to check them out!
The Pyle speakers are primarily designed for high performance outdoor use, and can deliver crisp audio with a thunderous amount of volume. The polymer dome tweeters create crisp high frequency sounds while the fortified long-throw woofers generate very good bass response. When we tested these speakers, we found that the Pyle speakers produce a warm sound with plenty of bass – they are best suited for electronic dance music, rock or jazz with a good low-end frequency range. They are capable of going very loud when you crank up the volume on these speakers, and can easily fill your entire patio and backyard with excellent sound. Listening to rock and pop music felt as though we were listening to a high end sound system outdoors, with crystal clear vocal reproductions and refined details. The Pyle speakers have a nice sparkle and treble response, which make them great for listening to vocal performances and live concerts. They do have quite a warm sound signature that feels enjoyable to listen to for hours on end, and certainly do have enough power to fill up a large backyard with sound.
We liked the fact that the Pyle speakers came with a built-in channel amplifier and supports Bluetooth streaming. This allows you to literally start playing music with the Pyle speakers straight out of the box once connected to a suitable power source. The Bluetooth connectivity is highly versatile and works well with virtually all Bluetooth enabled devices such as iPhone, Android, smartphones and iPads. We liked the fact that the Pyle speakers also feature marine grade weatherproof construction which makes them ultra-durable and convenient to mount anywhere around the backyard. They are the perfect speakers for patios and backyards or for poolside listening where they will effectively resist water and moisture. Apart from the Bluetooth connectivity, these speakers also come with additional rear speaker plug terminates and RCA audio jacks for you to connect external devices and music sources. The entire package comes with two speakers, one active and one passive, along with outdoor speaker wiring for easy setup.
The Verdict? The Pyle PDWR54BTBs are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find that delivers exceptional value. They are built with Bluetooth wireless streaming capabilities, which make them really convenient to use if you just want to stream audio direct from your smartphone to the outdoor speaker. It also comes with a built-in 2 channel amplifier as well as rear plug terminals and RCA audio jacks which is really convenient if you choose to connect other external devices. The sound quality that we got from these speakers is loud, clear and crisp – it has an incredible 600 watt rating and can produce massive sound to keep the party going through the night. The full marine grade cabinet enclosures look and feel very sturdy; they are certainly speakers that you will have confidence in leaving out in the open for long periods of time without having to worry about corrosion or damage to the internal circuitry. They are one of the best outdoor speakers we have come across and we highly recommend them if you need a high performance sound system for your outdoor backyard or garden.
#13 Best Budget: Monoprice 2-Way Weatherproof Outdoor Speakers
The Monoprice weatherproof speakers are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find on a budget that delivers great sound quality. Each speaker comes with a 2-way speaker array and 5 ½” polypropylene and mica injection cone woofer for high quality sound performance in a compact cabinet enclosure. The Monoprice speakers can handle up to 40 watts per channel RMS and have a maximum power rating of 80 watts per channel at 8 ohms. They come in a compact design which is easy to mount to a wall or any vertical surface in your patio or backyard. The cabinet casing is coated with anti-UV properties and is waterproof to up to IP55 which means that it will easily resist heavy rain shows and moisture. The aluminium grille that comes with the speaker is sturdy and protects the acoustic drivers against outdoor elements while allowing sound to pass through easily. The entire package also includes mounting brackets for easy installation. If you are looking for one of the best outdoor speakers at a budget price, we highly recommend the Monoprice weatherproof speakers.
The sound performance of the Monoprice speakers was much better than we expected for outdoor speakers in a similar price category. The sound quality from these speakers was very clear and crisp, with detailed highs and impactful lows that you would not really expect from a speaker of this compact size. Listening to electronic dance music and country folk songs with the Monoprice speakers was an especially enjoyable experience – the vocal reproduction is clear and well defined, and the speaker does give you a certain degree of soundstage when positioned correct. The treble response on these speakers was also crisp and clean, and gave the music a certain kind of sparkle that feels smooth and enjoyable to listen to. Jazz music sounded smooth and vibrant with these speakers; you can also crank up the volume without getting any or little distortion. We were very impressed by how good these speakers sounded for the price; they are truly value for money considering how accurate and crystal clear they are. We would recommend using a dedicated outdoor subwoofer to go with these speakers if you require more bass and low-end frequency reproduction.
The Monoprice weatherproof speakers have very solid and good build quality. The speakers are housed in a UV protected cabinet enclosure with aluminium grilles which make them water resistant. You can literally leave these speakers outdoors in the garden or patio for months without having to worry about them. They also feature water resistant terminals which is great to ensure that they do not short circuit your audio receiver in the event of heavy rain. We would recommend hooking these speakers up to an AV receiver that has at least 40 watts RMS per channel for the best sound performance. The installation process is very simple and the speakers come with speaker mounts for easy installation on a wall or patio deck. We would also recommend using dedicated outdoor speaker wires to drive these speakers for protection against outdoor elements and to reduce transmission resistance.
The Verdict? The Monoprice weatherproof speakers are some of the best outdoor speakers you can find at a budget price and represent very good value for money. These speakers sound very good, with crisp highs, detailed midrange and decent bass response. They are capable of producing very sharp and clean vocal performances with great attention to detail; the midrange is very good considering how compact these speakers are. The bass response is decent although it can be complemented with a dedicated outdoor subwoofer for maximum impact. The speakers also come with useful mounts which you can use to mount them on any surface, as well as a detailed installation guide. The weatherproof design of these speakers is solid and will hold up against tough weather conditions and heavy rain. It is one of the most cost effective best outdoor speakers you can find on the market and we highly recommend them if you have a tight budget.
Outdoor speaker setup guide – Check out our top picks for 2018
- What wiring to use
- What audio receiver to use
- Connecting your outdoor speaker
- Wall mounts and speaker placement
If you have decided to purchase outdoor speakers, the next step is getting these speakers set up in your patio, backyard or garden. This guide summarizes what you will need when setting up your outdoor speakers. In addition to outdoor speakers, the other things you will need are dedicated outdoor speaker wiring with the correct gauge, a suitable amplifier and audio AV receiver, wall mounts (if you intend to mount your speakers) and screws to affix the wall mounts to a wall surface.
We would recommend getting dedicated outdoor speaker wiring because they are specially made with a larger wiring gauge. Wire gauge is used to measure wire diameter and determines the amount of electric current a wire can safely carry as well as its resistance. Wiring gauge can be represented by the AWG symbol which indicates the diameter of round electrically conducting wires. Because of the fact that outdoor speakers are often positioned far away from the audio receiver which is located indoors, you will generally require wiring with a higher gauge and lower resistance to ensure that you get smooth music transmission. If the wiring gauge is too low, you might encounter too much resistance when transmitting power through the receiver, which will create interference with the speaker at higher volumes. We would also recommend using outdoor speaker wiring because they are better protected to resist outdoor conditions such as rain and sunshine. If you are looking for a good set of outdoor speaker wires, we would recommend this outdoor wire rated at 18AWG which is outdoor rated and sunlight resistant. That being said, do note that you will need to confirm the maximum wire gauge which your outdoor speaker can handle before purchasing any outdoor speaker wires. The outdoor speakers usually come with wiring when purchased as a bundle.
Before we get to setting up your outdoor speakers, you should check if your speakers are passive speakers (the ones that require an audio receiver to power them) or active speakers (speakers that have built-in amplifiers and need only be connected to a power source). Passive speakers will require an audio receiver or amplifier to power them. Generally speaking, we would recommend getting passive speakers that require a separate amplifier as these speakers are usually more powerful and can produce much better sound performance. In addition, a dedicated audio amplifier allows you to adjust sound performance and volume which is really convenient if you want great music outdoors.
There is no hard and fast rule about which audio amplifier to get, although we would recommend that the amplifier or AV receiver meets industry standards of 8 ohms and at least 50 watts RMS per channel. That being said, you should check your outdoor speakers to determine what is the minimal wattage required to power them as a low power amplifier may affect sound quality. You can also get a rough idea of how much wattage is required by checking how sensitive the acoustic drivers are; generally speakers with a higher sensitivity will require less power to drive them. If you are looking for high quality stereo amplifiers we would recommend the SONOS Connect amplifier or the Onkyo M-5010 2 Channel Amplifier – these amplifiers have more than 50 watts RMS per channel which should be good enough for most outdoor speakers.
Connecting your outdoor speakers to the audio receiver
Assuming that you are using passive outdoor speakers, you should connect your speakers to the audio receiver for both left and right channels. Be sure to connect the wiring to the correct positive and negative channels or you might risk damaging the speakers. Here is a diagram which you can use for your speaker setup.
Wall mounts and speaker placement
Finally, you may wish to mount your outdoor speakers to your patio wall or deck or backyard so that it can project sound further into an open environment. We have selected outdoor speakers that come with wall mounts for easy installation, so you will most likely not face any issues with getting speaker mounts. Be sure to also check the alignment and ideal speaker positioning with the user guide when installing these speakers – as a general rule of thumb you want to have at least 10 feet of distance between two outdoor speakers to create a nice sound-field. We have also written a detailed outdoor speaker placement guide which you can refer to. The only exception to wall mounts is if you are getting rock speakers that are designed to be placed on the ground – these speakers usually have angled tweeters to project sound to ear level, and need not be mounted.
Once your outdoor speakers are set up, you are now all set for a supreme outdoor listening experience where you and your guests can relax and unwind with high quality, filling sound in your garden, backyard or patio area.