Some of the most popular accessories that you can buy for your smartphone, laptop, or other mobile device are Bluetooth speakers. Bluetooth speakers help cut down on the need for messy and tangled cables as they can connect wirelessly to any of your mobile devices via Bluetooth technology. And if you spend a lot of time outdoors, then outdoor Bluetooth speakers might be a good investment.
Whether it’s at a pool party, a campsite, the job site, or practically any outdoor situation that can benefit from portable, high-quality sound, outdoor Bluetooth speakers have become that go-to solution. And because the massive variety of speakers to choose from can be confusing at a glance, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best portable Bluetooth speakers that you can buy in 2018, 2019, and beyond.
What Are Bluetooth Speakers?
As the name implies, Bluetooth speakers are simply a sort of electronic speaker, usually in a portable form factor, that connects wirelessly through Bluetooth to any source of audio. Sources of audio and music can be your smartphone, laptop, tablet or another portable device. Bluetooth speakers are generally portable and powered by an internal rechargeable battery, although there are some exceptions. If you have an internal rechargeable battery, you will want to make sure you have a place to plug it in or that it at least has a long battery life if you want to listen to your Spotify playlist all night.
There are several advantages to using Bluetooth speakers. Using such a speaker allows you to more easily listen to music or other audio without using headphones or relying on your device’s speakers, which can be damaged by playing at very loud volumes. Bluetooth speakers can also extend the battery life of your smartphone as your phone’s speaker is one of the larger draws of power after its screen and various antennae. Finally, using an external, dedicated speaker can simply sound better, as the sound quality of the tiny speakers built into your iphone, Android or any other kind of mobile device suffers at very loud volumes. Getting a nice Bose or JBL speaker wouldn’t be the worst thing that ever happened to you. In fact, it this might be the stereo sound in your life that you didn’t know you needed. Some of them even have voice activation for our mobile robot slaves, like “Hey Siri, tell Alexa that I need my Google Assistant to lower that treble on my soundbar, and up the bass while I play “Mask Off” by Future, and to turn the bass up too, and you’ll already have that wired to your smartspeaker, and all of a sudden you’ll have great sound throughout your vicinity.
What Makes the Best Bluetooth Speakers, and is There a Need for Them?
If you are an audiophile, like to travel, or just like listening to music every now and again while in the great outdoors, buying an outdoor Bluetooth speaker can make for a good investment. While not a necessity of life, Bluetooth speakers have become something that you wish you had if and when the need arises. Therefore, having a portable speaker that is small, portable, and available on demand can be a good thing to have. Depending on the experience that you are looking to get out of your portable bluetooth wireless speaker, whether you are a beach goer, or a pool swimmer, and you are looking for water resistance.
The 8 Best Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers
- Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 Phantom Wireless Mobile Bluetooth Speaker
- FUGOO Tough Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
- BRAVEN BRV-X Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
- Anker SoundCore Sport XL Outdoor Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- Sharkk 2O IP67 Bluetooth Portable Wireless Speaker
- OontZ Angle 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- JBL Flip 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- WONDERBOOM Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 Mobile Bluetooth Speaker
Features
The BOOM 2 from Ultimate Ears occupies the first entry on our list and is one of the better outdoor Bluetooth speakers you can buy. It has all of the features you can expect: fifteen hours of battery life, a lightweight, waterproof and shockproof housing, and 360 degrees of high-quality sound in a portable and compact package.
The exterior of the speaker has a few small but cool features: an attachment point that allows the speaker to be mounted on a standard camera tripod, a lanyard loop, and a 3.5mm audio jack for wired audio sources. In addition, a feature called PartyUp allows the speaker to connect with up to 150 other UE-branded speakers, allowing them to functionally act as what is essentially a collective sound system. It also comes in a variety of colors and styles for personalization.
Pros
- Waterproof housing
- Multi-point pairing support
- A robust set of features for the price
- Comes in multiple colors and styles
Cons
- Somewhat pricey
- Lacks separate buttons for play/pause and track advance
Price
The Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 Bluetooth Speaker can be found on Amazon for around $94.
Where to Buy
FUGOO Tough Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
Features
The appropriately named Tough from Fugoo lives up to its name: it’s an outdoor Bluetooth speaker that is housed in a tough, ruggedized casing. The speaker has an impressive battery life, providing up to fifteen hours of charge at half volume and 360 degrees of sound from six different drivers on all sides of the device.
It also has stereo support, allowing you to pair two devices together for an immersive audio experience. And if you aren’t a fan of its ruggedized appearance, there are a few other styles of cases to choose from. In addition to being both shockproof and waterproof, the Tough also has a built-in speakerphone and offers support for both Apple Siri and Google Now.
Pros
- Comes in several styles and colors
- Good battery life
- A waterproof and shockproof casing
- Support for Siri and Google Now
Cons
- Sound quality suffers at high volumes
Price
The Fugoo Tough Bluetooth Speaker can be found on Amazon for around $79.
Where to Buy
BRAVEN BRV-X Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Features
The BRV-X from BRAVEN is definitely one of the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers on this list. It has a rock-solid outer casing that’s both waterproof and shockproof, making it a good take-along on both beach trips and camping excursions. The BRV-X has a couple of features not seen on similar models: a switchable sound mode that changes the sound profile depending on if the speaker is indoors or outdoors, and a built-in 5200mAh power bank for charging mobile devices while on the go. It also comes with a carry strap.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Shockproof and waterproof casing
- Built-in power bank
- Indoor/outdoor sound mode
Cons
- Requires non-USB connector to charge
Price
The BRAVEN BRV-X Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker can be found on Amazon for around $44.
Where to Buy
Anker SoundCore Sport XL Outdoor Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Features
Like many other outdoor Bluetooth Speakers, the Sport XL from Anker looks the part with its black and rugged case. The Sport XL has a few features that set it apart, such as its IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating and its internal power bank for recharging mobile devices on the go. The speaker also has excellent battery life, with up to 15 hours of continuous music as well as speakerphone support for hands-free calling. All in all, it’s a good speaker for its price.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- IP67 rating
- Built-in power bank
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Battery life suffers at loud volumes
Price
The Anker SoundCore Sport XL Outdoor Portable Bluetooth Speaker can be found on Amazon for around $59.
Where to Buy
Sharkk 2O Bluetooth Portable Wireless Speaker
Features
The 2O from Sharkk is one of the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers on this list for the budget-minded consumer. You get a lot of bang for your buck from it: an IP67-rated waterproof case, a 3.5mm auxiliary port for wired connections, and a MicroSD card slot for MP3 playback. The speaker also offers speakerphone capability as well as out-of-the-box support for Apple Siri.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- IP67 rating
- Aux. port and MicroSD card slot
- Built-in speakerphone and Apple Siri support
Cons
- Weak max volume and average sound quality
Price
The Sharkk 2O Bluetooth Portable Wireless Speaker can be found on Amazon for around $39.
Where to Buy
OontZ Angle 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Features
Another addition to the list of outdoor Bluetooth speakers for the budget-minded, the Angle 3 from OontZ is definitely an eye-catcher with its triangular shape. It has near-perfect sound quality from its two drivers, and an additional downward-facing bass driver helps deliver rich, bassy sound. In addition to a 3.5mm auxiliary jack, the Angle 3 comes in several colors.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- 3.5mm auxiliary port
- Excellent sound quality
- Comes in multiple colors
Cons
- No IPX7 or IP67 rating
Price
The OontZ Angle 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker can be found on Amazon for around $27.
Where to Buy
JBL Flip 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Features
One of the better all-around outdoor Bluetooth speakers on this list, the Flip 4 from JBL offers a balance of price, sound quality, and features. The Flip 4’s crisp and clear high- and mid-ranges are provided by its two speakers, and two passive radiators on either end of the unit provide the bassy low undertones.
A Connect+ mode allows you to link more than a hundred compatible speakers together, making the Flip 4 a great addition to a party. And in addition to being fairly light and compact, the Flip 4 has an IPX7 waterproof rating and comes in a wide variety of colors.
Pros
- IPX7 rating
- Connect+ mode
- Excellent sound quality
- Multiple colors available
Cons
- No flaws to note
Price
The JBL Flip 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker can be found on Amazon for around $74.
Where to Buy
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Features
Since this list started with an Ultimate Ears speaker, it’s only fitting that it ends with one. The Wonderboom from Ultimate Ears is just about perfect for any occasion, whether it’s at the pool, the beach, or the campground. The Wonderboom is small, light, and most importantly, affordable, making it one of the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers on this list. With its IPX7 rating and a 360-degree design for surround sound, it’s a great choice no matter where you plan to bring it. It also comes in a wide variety of colors and styles for that extra degree of personalization.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- 360-degree sound
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- Small design with great portability
- Comes in multiple colors and styles
Cons
- Mediocre battery life compared to other speakers
Price
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker can be found on Amazon for around $67.
Where to Buy
Conclusion
Depending on who you are, you might be looking for outdoor Bluetooth speakers for a different reason than the next person. If you are looking for something powerful, we can recommend the Anker Sport XL. Or if you are looking for something on a budget, the OontZ Angle 3 might be just for you. With that said, we hope that this guide helps you come to a satisfactory buying choice.