Which outdoor speaker do you need?
In good weather, people naturally want to spend more time outside. Outdoor speakers are a great choice for people who prefer to be on a patio, rather than a couch. It provides endless outdoor entertainment options for birthday parties, BBQs, and random get-togethers. In a nutshell, everything is better outside with music.
With so many different types of outdoor speakers, it can be confusing to know which one is right for you. What kind of speaker do you need, how many, and what should the wattage be? Let’s break down everything you need to know.
Outdoor speakers set the mood
During any social gathering, outdoor speakers set the mood, vibe, and ambiance. If you want your guests to have a good time, let them play DJ off their smartphones. Nothing puts people in a better mood than letting them play their favorite songs with a cold drink in hand. Music brings us together, and if you play the right song at the right time, an impromptu dance party can ensue. I speak from experience.
You can listen to podcasts and audiobooks outside
Outdoor speakers can do more than just play music. It’s a great way to consume other content like podcasts in the great outdoors. Imagine gardening or doing yard work while listening to your favourite podcasts. Audiobooks are another form of content that works great outside. Lay back and listen to audiobooks on a Sunday afternoon.
Choosing an outdoor speaker
In choosing an outdoor speaker, ask yourself where you plan to use it. That’s because there are two different types to choose from, portable and outdoor home speakers.
Portable outdoor speakers
Portable outdoor speakers are meant to go everywhere and anywhere. They are usually waterproof, feature a rugged design, and by definition, are extremely portable. They come in a variety of different sizes depending on the intended use case.
For example, small portable outdoor speakers can be clipped to a bag making it great for podcast listening on long hikes. They’re also lightweight and can be carried for an extended period of time. As one would expect, these design elements come with tradeoffs. Smaller portable speakers aren’t known for being very loud, and the battery life can be limited. Nevertheless, they’re great for listening to podcasts or music outside, on the go, and with a friend.
In contrast, larger party speakers feature a big battery and a big sound. They are designed for all-day use and have USB charging ports to charge devices like smartphones and tablets on the go. This is perfect for camping or spending a day on the beach. As you would expect, this larger size also comes with some tradeoffs. Larger portable speakers are heavier, and take up more space.
Outdoor home speakers
Outdoor home speakers are meant for permanent installation outside your home. This could be on your patio, in your backyard, or around your outdoor theatre setup. Unlike indoor home audio speakers, outdoor home speakers are built to handle the elements. They are tested in extreme weather conditions and can withstand rain, sun, dirt, dust, and snow.
The main thing to remember is that most outdoor home speakers are wired, passive devices. That means they do not have a built-in amp and require a wired power source. Therefore, they connect to a receiver via speaker wire to receive amplification.
With so many different types of outdoor speakers, it can be confusing to know which one is right for you. What kind of speaker do you need, how many, and what should the wattage be? Let’s break down everything you need to know.
Outdoor speakers set the mood
During any social gathering, outdoor speakers set the mood, vibe, and ambiance. If you want your guests to have a good time, let them play DJ off their smartphones. Nothing puts people in a better mood than letting them play their favorite songs with a cold drink in hand. Music brings us together, and if you play the right song at the right time, an impromptu dance party can ensue. I speak from experience.
You can listen to podcasts and audiobooks outside
Outdoor speakers can do more than just play music. It’s a great way to consume other content like podcasts in the great outdoors. Imagine gardening or doing yard work while listening to your favourite podcasts. Audiobooks are another form of content that works great outside. Lay back and listen to audiobooks on a Sunday afternoon.
Choosing an outdoor speaker
In choosing an outdoor speaker, ask yourself where you plan to use it. That’s because there are two different types to choose from, portable and outdoor home speakers.
Portable outdoor speakers
Portable outdoor speakers are meant to go everywhere and anywhere. They are usually waterproof, feature a rugged design, and by definition, are extremely portable. They come in a variety of different sizes depending on the intended use case.
For example, small portable outdoor speakers can be clipped to a bag making it great for podcast listening on long hikes. They’re also lightweight and can be carried for an extended period of time. As one would expect, these design elements come with tradeoffs. Smaller portable speakers aren’t known for being very loud, and the battery life can be limited. Nevertheless, they’re great for listening to podcasts or music outside, on the go, and with a friend.
In contrast, larger party speakers feature a big battery and a big sound. They are designed for all-day use and have USB charging ports to charge devices like smartphones and tablets on the go. This is perfect for camping or spending a day on the beach. As you would expect, this larger size also comes with some tradeoffs. Larger portable speakers are heavier, and take up more space.
Outdoor home speakers
Outdoor home speakers are meant for permanent installation outside your home. This could be on your patio, in your backyard, or around your outdoor theatre setup. Unlike indoor home audio speakers, outdoor home speakers are built to handle the elements. They are tested in extreme weather conditions and can withstand rain, sun, dirt, dust, and snow.
The main thing to remember is that most outdoor home speakers are wired, passive devices. That means they do not have a built-in amp and require a wired power source. Therefore, they connect to a receiver via speaker wire to receive amplification.