The best weatherproof and wireless outdoor speakers

The Bose SoundLink Revolve Series II is the next-gen version of Bose's already impressive Revolve. It's handily portable and delivers true 360-degree surround sound for an all-round listening experience. Quite literally.

It's significantly smaller that other high-end 360-degree audio speakers. But don't be fooled by the size. The Revolve Series II packs plenty of volume. It's made to go loud, with zero distortion at top volume. That makes it great for outdoor shindigs — not to mention water resistance in case of poor weather.

If you're already a Bose fan, the SoundLink Revolve Series II can pair with a second speaker to create a stereo sound, or to integrate into the Bose audio system via SimpleSync technology. You can also access your voice assistant.

The speaker is controlled with the Bose Connect app, which allows you to switch between Stereo mode or Party mode (yes, the Revolve Series II is very much a speaker for all occasions) with enough battery for 13 hours.

The JBL Xtreme 3 portable speaker has everything you want in an outdoor wireless speaker. It offers amazing sound, a large volume range, and durability. It’s also waterproof and weather-resistant, and can handle more than a bit of drizzle. This is built to withstand snow, sand, cold, and heat.  

It's on the heavier side, but that's offset by a handy carry strap, which allows you to take the party with you and save on bag space. That's not the only built-in extra you get with the JBL Xtreme 3 — it also has a built-in bottle opener, in case there was any question about its party credentials. It also connects with other JBL speakers — a feature that JBL calls "PartyBoost".

The speaker also knows how to keep the party going. It offers plenty of playtime from a single charge, with dual passive radiators that deliver powerful, ear-catching JBL sound that resonates loud and clear. 

The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 produces 360-degree sound and reaches high volumes, meaning it's perfect for playing outside in large gardens, by the poolside, or at the beach. In other words, anywhere you like.

It does take about three hours to charge, which can be a chore, but it's worth the wait. This speaker maxes out with a very impressive 15 hours of battery life — more than enough for an all-dayer in the sunshine. If you're a real raver, or you're trying to fill a wide area with rich sound, this speaker also has extra bass.

Not only is it waterproof (indeed, a little bit of rain is nothing to this speaker), it actually floats — handy for the inevitable moment that someone drops it in the pool. It can survive being submerged in the water for 30 minutes.

It also comes equipped with a "Magic" button, which allows you to control music playback from any streaming platform.

Who it's for:

Some people want a Bluetooth speaker that's first and foremost a way to listen to music, and some people want a better audio experience than other run-of-the-mill smart speakers might be able to manage. If you fall in the later group, we recommend the Sonos Move.

Why we picked this:

This durable, battery-powered speaker is a great Bluetooth speaker for your home, especially if you want one you can move around with you — say, from the pool area to your office to the dining room. It's also strong enough to take the occasional drop or bump.

While it is portable, this speaker might not be the easiest to travel with over long distances due to its weight and bulky size. The battery lasts up to 11 hours and comes with a charging base. You can also recharge it with a USB-C charger. 

This speaker is simple to set up, can be controlled through the Sonos app, and can switch from WiFi to Bluetooth streaming when needed. It’s also weather-resistant and able to stand up to humidity, rain, snow, dust, sun rays, and salt. 

Nothing — and we do mean nothing — says party time like colourful lights that flash and dance along with the music. That’s why we have to include the JBL Pulse 5, which promises JBL’s great signature sound along with a 360-degree light show for ultimate party vibes. The lights actually sync to your favourite tunes, though you can also customise the lights via the JBL app.

The JBL Pulse 5 is a bit pricier than most JBL speakers we’d usually recommend — JBL is king of the mid-range speaker — but this one ups the ante sound-wise with specially designed speaker tech to crank the bass.

It’s actually built with partying in mind. It has a PartyBoost feature — a fun way of saying that you can link two or more JBL PartyBoost-compatible speakers together via Bluetooth and fill your home with tunes and dancing lights. In addition to all that, it’s resilient to the elements and has a 12 hour battery life.

For its size — and its price — the Tribit MaxSound Plus does not disappoint. Considering it's on the affordable end of the scale, it's surprisingly advanced.

This speaker uses Bluetooth 5.0 (the latest Bluetooth) so you can rely on an instant, continuous, safe connection. Not to mention clear, crisp audio. The sound is further boosted by internal tech — advanced amplifier modules, audio processing tech, and large drivers that pump out accurate sound at any volume.

The big sell of the Tribit MaxSound Plus, however, is the whopping battery life of 20 hours. Though priced at under £60, its battery life outstrips speakers that cost four times as much. And let's be honest, a long-lasting battery is exactly what you want from a portable speaker.

As for other portable and party-friendly features, it's waterproof in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes and weather resistant.