It’s January and your car windows might be frozen shut in the mornings. But summer will come. Someday. Until the next ice age hits, it’s still a guarantee.
And with warmer weather comes the opportunity to socialize more in the backyard and at the beach, and the need for great speakers. What to buy?
Here is a list of 7 best outdoor Bluetooth speakers in order from cheapest to most expensive, as rated by online reviewers such as CNET, Tom’s Guide, TechRadar and PCmag.com.
1) Harman Kardon Onyx Mini $149.95 (until January 30 th )
Waterproof: No
Power: Good
Battery: 10 hours
Range: 50 feet
The Harman Kardon Onyx Mini is an editor’s choice from PCmag.com. It’s not meant for use by the pool (no waterproofing or dirt proofing), but makes what reviewers say is an excellent desktop speaker.
If you find yourself on conference calls that need clarity, this is a good purchase. The Harman Kardon Onyx Mini has a speakerphone option that can support your calls with quality.
2) Bose SoundLink Color $149
Waterproof: Yes
Power: Fills the room
Battery: 8 hours
Range: “Go anywhere in your house without losing your connection”.
This small portable speaker from Bose gets great reviews. It’s water resistant (splash it, but don’t leave it at the bottom of the pool for days), as well as dirt proof, making it perfect for the beach.
Voice prompts make it easy to use. The device talks you through pairing, so there’s no question whether it’s set up or not, and a built-in speakerphone lets you answer calls without picking up your phone, as well as access Siri and Google Now.
The only drawback is the battery life that is shorter on this one than others, but it still runs long enough for a full day out.
3) JBL Pulse $199.99
Waterproof: No
Power: “Room-filling sound”
Battery: 10 hours music only, 5 hours music and lights
Range: Good
Rated byTech Radar, CNET and Tom’s Guide as a top ultraportable speaker, the JBL Pulse brings the party to life. This speaker broadcasts your music and adds pulsing, pre-programmed lights to the show.
Turn the lights on or off, it’s your choice.
Users can connect two devices simultaneously to share the airspace. The only downsides to this product are the limited battery life, and the fact that it isn’t waterproof. No pool-side disco.
4) UE mini boom $216.11
Waterproof: No
Power: “Huge” “jaw dropping sound”
Battery: 10 hours
Range: 50 feet
The UE Mini Boom performs well for its price point but reviewers are quick to point out some minor sound flaws. Tech Radar says it has “foggy highs”, and according to CNET, it can’t produce a ton of bass.
That being said, the battery life and range on this device are said to be great, and 29 out of 38 people give it 5 out of 5 stars, on Amazon.
5) Fugoo Style $219.99
Waterproof: Yes
Power: 360-degree sound
Battery: 40 hours
Range: 33 ft
The Fugoo Style gets the honour of being rated “best overall” portable speaker by Tom’s Guide.
It’s waterproof, dustproof, mudproof and snowproof, and stylish to boot.
An amazingly long battery life makes this speaker stand out as the best for camping and road trips.
Users can also listen to music and answer calls all without lifting a finger.
A small drawback includes the fact that the speaker lacks any visual cues to tell you your battery has run out, or to indicate what volume your sound is at.
6) UE Boom 2 $249.99
Waterproof: Yes
Power:360-degree sound
Battery: 15 hours
Range: 100 ft
The UE Boom 2 has a lot going for it. Great range, decent battery life and waterproofing ensure that the product covers the bases consumers want. The only drawback listed by some reviewers is the fact that this speaker is a bit pricier than others, so you may be able to satisfy your ears with something cheaper.
7) JBL Xtreme $329
Waterproof: Yes, but don’t submerge it. Splash it.
Power: “Hear the bass, feel the bass, see the bass.”
Battery: 15 hours
Range: Good
The JBL Xtreme allows users to connect up to three devices for pairing, at a time. It’s been labeled “one of the most powerful portable speakers around”, and so if really loud is what you need, this is your saviour.
If you don’t need all that sound, save a buck and go for something cheaper. If you do, indulge.
Happy listening.
