Best Outdoor Speakers in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 10, 2024
If you want to liven up a picnic, barbeque, or pool party, or just a neighbourhood gathering, a set of good outdoor speakers is a ...Read more
PROS

Thanks to Articulated Array® design, the speakers ensure consistent Bose high-quality sound across very larger areas, not just sweet spots.

CONS

They lack bass a bit.

OUR VERDICT

These outdoor speakers can endure even the most extreme weather conditions to always deliver you amazing full-range stereo sound. So, if you need reliable speakers with long-lasting performance, this Bose set is your choice.

detailed parameters
Kit

2 passive speakers

POWER

100 W / 50 W

IMPEDANCE

6 Ohms

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

Not specified

SENSITIVITY

Not specified

KEY FEATURES

Articulated Array® speaker design, Weather-proof housing, Horizontal or vertical mounting, Angle-adjusting mounting brackets included

DIMENSIONS

11.4 x 31.75 x 15.2 cm

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

The kit includes special non-skid rubber feet that allow you to put speakers on desktop/bookshelf surfaces.

CONS

The mounting brackets are flimsy. 

OUR VERDICT

The Yamaha NSAW392 are excellent all-weather speakers for use in small-sized listening areas. They can be used in outdoor public facilities or double as surround speakers in home theatre systems.

detailed parameters
Kit

2 passive speakers

POWER

120 W / 40 W

IMPEDANCE

6 Ohms

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

60 Hz –25000 Hz

SENSITIVITY

86 dB

KEY FEATURES

Weather-proof housing, Horizontal or vertical mounting, Angle-adjusting mounting brackets included

DIMENSIONS

17.1 x 27.3 x 13.7 cm

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

Built-in Bluetooth allows you to connect mobile devices wirelessly, while a USB 2.0 port is perfect for charging them.

CONS

It's rather heavy because of built-in battery.

OUR VERDICT

It's a super-versatile outdoor Bluetooth speaker that can be taken just anywhere you wish. And even if you can't connect it to a music source, you can turn on an AM/FM radio and enjoy the flowing of high-quality sound.

detailed parameters
Kit

1 active speaker

POWER

50 W 

IMPEDANCE

Not specified

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

Not specified

SENSITIVITY

Not specified

KEY FEATURES

Weather-proof housing, Built-in rechargeable battery (up to 50 hours of work), Built-in Bluetooth, Built-in NFC-module, 1/8" AUX-IN, USB-port for charging devices, On-board control panel, Microphone included

DIMENSIONS

34 x 33 x 23.4 cm

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

There is a switch for indoor/outdoor equalisation at the back, so you can adjust the speaker for the best performance.

CONS

Binding posts are situated inconveniently. 

OUR VERDICT

Adastra offers you an affordable speaker that is compatible with almost all amplifiers. The package includes only one speaker, but you always can buy as many additional speakers for stereo sound as you want.

detailed parameters
Kit

1 passive speaker

POWER

130 W / 65 W

IMPEDANCE

8 Ohms

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

110 Hz –20000 Hz

SENSITIVITY

86 dB

KEY FEATURES

Indoor/outdoor equalisation switch, Weather-proof housing, Rotary selector switch for 100V line tappings or 8 Ohms operation, Horizontal or vertical mounting, Angle-adjustable mounting brackets included

DIMENSIONS

17.7 x 25.2 x 14.2 cm

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

Owing to a 3-way bass reflex design and Long Throw driver, the speakers produce a clear sound with a good level of mid bass.

CONS

The sound quality isn't that high.

OUR VERDICT

The Bass Face SPLBOX.1 200W 3-Way Mini Box Pod Speakers are excellent for the price. They aren't very loud, still, they deliver a decent sound quality and are good for occasional use.

detailed parameters
Kit

2 passive speakers

POWER

100 W / 50 W

IMPEDANCE

4 Ohms

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

60 Hz –20000 Hz

SENSITIVITY

96 dB

KEY FEATURES

Weather-proof housing, Horizontal or vertical mounting, Angle-adjustable mounting brackets included

DIMENSIONS

9.5 x 15 x 9.2 cm

WARRANTY

1 year

Everything Goes Better with Music

A picnic, at-home pool party, neighbourhood concert under the stars, a BBQ on the patio - everything will be much more fun with music. And that's where the Bose ® 151 Environmental Speakers comes in. Equipped with three 6.35-cm full-range environmental drivers each, they deliver amazing full-stereo sound. And since these drivers are positioned by the Bose-own "Stereo Everywhere" technology, they ensure balanced audio throughout the whole listening zone. Nothing like conventional speakers that always tend to radiate sound in one direction only.

These portable outdoor speakers are housed in sleek, slender glass-filled cabinets that provide a year-long protection against elements. They are rain-, snow-, salt-, and temperature-resistant and can withstand even some of nature's worst conditions. Additionally, they can stand up to the incredible temperature range of -40 C to +70 C. The speakers come with weather-resistant brackets, allowing you to mount them vertically or horizontally, whatever your preference. However, note that for the "Stereo Everywhere" sound, the speakers must be installed horizontally. Overall, they are super-simple to install and work great right out-of-the-box, as they can be connected to any amplified source. The Bose ® 151 Environmental Speakers boasts a fantastic full sound and push the great volume to large areas. You can even disturb your neighbours if you wish to do so. An excellent choice for those who like it loud.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B0001H9TGS

Meet Yamaha's Outdoor Waterproof Speakers

The Yamaha NSAW392 are high-quality speakers, produced from all-weather materials to withstand a temperature change and different weather conditions. To make it even more durable, the manufacturer fitted this pair with a high-quality water-resistant plastic cabinet, woofer, and fluid-cooled soft dome tweeter. Thanks to these, you can be confident in the performance of the Yamaha NSAW392 speakers no matter whether it's sunny or it's raining cats and dogs.

Most speakers look pretty much alike, however, the Yamaha NSAW392 was built in a slightly different way, with the main difference being their angled-shaped design. Such design not only makes them look more appealing but also blends nicely in most interiors and exteriors. Where the Yamaha NSAW392 wins us over most is in the kind of performance they provide - though small, this duo is capable of producing high-power sound across 60Hz – 20kHz frequency-response range, with the sound clarity being flawless in any frequency, which is nothing short of impressive given the size of these speakers.

The set includes 2 brackets that allow you to mount speakers on the floor, on the wall, on the ceiling, with either vertical or horizontal orientation. The adjustment range is 90 degrees meaning the installation options are numerous. The only catch is that these speakers won't work in large premises as well as they will in small-sized areas, so in order to get the most out of them, it's best to place them on small patios and/or in small indoor (outdoor) public facilities.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £169.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B002WBWH9W

Super Versatile

The ION Audio Sport speaker is a unique all-in-one music device that can go with you just everywhere. The thing is that this music system features a built-in rechargeable battery that provides up to enormous 50 hours of cordless sound. And once it runs low, you can connect a power cord to continue rocking out. Equipped with a woofer and tweeter, the sound is fairly loud with deep bass and clear highs.

The biggest selling point of this portable speaker is that it can be synchronized with your mobile devices wirelessly. It boasts Bluetooth capability to link to any mobile device within a 30-m range. Also, the speaker has an AUX input for non-Bluetooth devices. And once the ION Audio Sport speaker is connected, you can control playback using play/pause, next/previous track buttons right on its housing. By the way, the body is made of rugged composite materials that are IPX4 classified, so it can endure harsh weather conditions. The device has an ultra-portable footprint and a convenient one-handed carry handle for easy transportation. Yet, all fantastic features don't end here. If, for some reason, you can't synchronize the speaker with your gadgets, you can turn on the onboard FM radio to keep the music flowing. The other highlights of the ION Audio Sport speaker include the USB Port and a built-in microphone. USB 2.0 port is perfect for charging your gadgets, while a microphone is great for Karaoke. As you see, the ION company offers you an all-in-one wireless outdoor speaker that can be taken just everywhere to liven up any party or event.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B0753PZCP9

Affordable Yet Functional

If you don't want to spend hundreds of pounds on high-end outdoor speakers, the Adastra Weatherproof Speaker can be the sensible option. For less than £50, you can get a high-performance 2-way speaker for both indoor and outdoor use. If you need to get a stereo sound that will wrap you around for an immersive experience, you can get one more speaker. The sound the speakers provide is quite good with clear output and no noticeable distortion. They can go surprisingly loud for such a small casing. Each speaker is 8 Ohms, which is quite enough for most home amplifiers. Additionally, they draw a small amount of power and will never overload your amp. However, it's worth noting that you won't get deep bass from Adastra speakers.

With regards to the construction, the speakers are very robust and well-built. They seem to be heavy duty and can easily withstand the elements. The package also includes a mounting bracket which is fully adjustable, thus, allowing you to install a speaker either vertically or horizontally at a variety of angles. Speaking about weatherproofing properties, we would like to note that the speakers need to be mounted vertically so as not to let water in. They have a rubber bung covering for cables underneath. And this bung has an opening rather than a sealing grommet. Therefore, the water can ingress via this opening if the speaker is mounted horizontally. For the price, we think this is a minor sacrifice. So, if you need an inexpensive yet powerful speaker (or several of them), the Adastra Weatherproof Speaker is your pick.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £78.43
Stock In stock
ASIN B000LATQUO

Mini Speakers for Occasional Use

The Bass Face SPLBOX.1 200W 3-Way Mini Box Pod Speakers are another budget option for those who need small speakers for occasional use. They can add crisp sound to any gathering to make it much more fun. Due to their unique 3-way bass reflex design, they ensure a good level of mid bass. Of course, they aren't the loudest speakers in the world, but for a set of speakers that barely costs 20 pounds, most users aren't expecting miracles.

The speakers are perfect for small rooms, gardens, or other tight spaces. They are very compact and have an unobtrusive design. Their quality is good for the price. They are very sturdily made and are marine-ready. So, you can safely take them on the boat, at the beach, or to the pool. They are supplied with angle-adjustable brackets enabling vertical or horizontal mounting. But if you're not going to mount them somewhere and just put on your shelf, we recommend you to place them on rubber feet or a mat to prevent vibrations from the plastic casing. Summing up, we can say that these speakers offer a rather good sound in a very compact casing. However, they aren't your choice if you're after super loud and clear audio.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B008N53XIA

What Is an Outdoor Speaker?

Outdoor speakers do not differ much from conventional indoor speakers in terms of music playback. As a rule, they are just as performing as most music equipment. The only difference between indoor and outdoor speakers is that the latter feature all-weather protection, making them highly resistant to weather change and temperature drops. As opposed to conventional speakers, outdoor speakers can be installed in an open area, offering you the option to keep your favourite music in the background while throwing barbecue parties or simply lounging on your patio. Outdoor speakers and shower speakers have many features in common. The main distinction between the two is the power they provide. Shower speakers are less powerful and thus are a better option for indoor use or for small picnics when you want to have a little bit of music with you.

To get the most out of your outdoor speakers, you may want to pair them with a decent receiver.

What Features to Compare

Sound Characteristics

There're many tips on choosing outdoor speakers, but we believe that the very first thing you should take into account is their technical characteristics. The most important among them is the sound frequency. The wider the range is the better the sound from it will be perceived by a human ear. Another parameter is the power, which impacts the volume and overall sound performance. Here, the higher the power is, the stronger the sound will be produced. Sensitivity is another criterion worth your consideration, for if you don't want the music sound distorted it's got to be high enough. Anyway, all the given sound characteristics are equally important and should be considered in whole rather than each separately.

Key Features

You may also want to consider some other features that distinguish one pair of speakers from another. These little extras stand for usability and comfort of use, and therefore, are quite important too. So, if you plan to mount the speakers somewhere on a wall in your yard, make sure the shipping package includes a wall mounting bracket to do that, otherwise, you'd need to look for it elsewhere. The brackets should also be quite solid and reliable. Speakers can vibrate quite a lot at high frequencies and if the fixation isn't strong enough, the construction may start to wobble and consequently, affect the sound. Consider if there's the option to tilt the bracket; that's handy if you like to hold outdoor parties and would like to disperse music sound in different directions throughout a day. Good outdoor speakers boast 180º tilt angle.

Protection

Since the weather isn't possible to predict, all-weather protection is important (of course, if you don't think of placing the set somewhere in a shelter). Rain, wind and the sun can easily ruin your speakers if they are wrapped in poor-quality housing. Therefore, consider protection first thing first and make sure the material composition is of high quality and with high resistance to a weather change. Usually, they are IPX rated to some degree.

Sources:

1. David Brown Outdoor speakers buying guide, Crutchfield. May 19, 2016.

2. Brent Butteworth The Best Outdoor Speakers, The Wirecutter. October 29, 2015.

3. Ian White OUTDOOR SPEAKERS, Digital Trends. July 4, 2013.

4. Your Guide to Buying Outdoor Speaker, eBay. March 3, 2016.

5. Rob Sabin Bring it Outdoors: The Latest in Sound and TV for Your Deck, Yard or PatioNewHomeSource.

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