5 Best Outdoor Speakers for Pool Area: Portable, Wired and Wireless

Summer is around the corner, and we bet you can't wait to return to your favorite beach or pool. And no pool party is complete without music. So if your waterproof speaker has gone kaput or you are planning to upgrade your speaker, we have lined up the best outdoor speakers for the pool area.

These speakers are waterproof and safe from the occasional water splashes. Besides these, some of these are permanent-wired speakers so you will not have to replace or upgrade them. All you need to do is be extra cautious when you install the wiring, and you will be good to go.

Additionally, we have a set of portable Bluetooth speakers and these will give you enough flexibility to move the speakers around. But as you know, portable speakers are less powerful than some of their wired counterparts.

With that in mind, here are some of the best outdoor speakers for pool areas. But first,

Buy

The Anker Soundcore 2 is one of the best affordable Bluetooth speakers. It's a wireless portable speaker, and you can carry it around. Apart from being apt for poolside and beach parties, the Soundcore 2 is an apt pick for hiking and camping trips. It's a Bluetooth 4.2 speaker with an IPX7 waterproof rating.

The IPX7 waterproof rating means it's safe for the occasional water splashes. This waterproof speaker comes with neat flaps over the AUX port and charging port. It sports a straightforward rectangular design. The rubber grip ensures that you can hold it easily, even when your hands are wet. Additionally, you will be able to control the volume of the playback, all thanks to the buttons at the top.

At the same time, the battery life isn't bad either. The Soundcore 2 lasts for about 24 hours on a single full charge, and this is a huge plus, especially if you plan to use it outdoors. More notably, the Anker Soundcore 2 delivers decent audio for the price.

The audio is balanced with a tad weaker bass. If you are someone who loves the whoomph in songs, then give it a skip. However, if it's not your foremost priority, this waterproof speaker is a good outdoor speaker.

It has more than 100,000 user ratings on Amazon, and users have praised its Bluetooth connectivity, portability, and build quality.

Buy

Another wireless portable speaker is the JBL Flip 6. This one is a new release compared to the Soundcore 2 above. It runs on Bluetooth 5.1 and is bundled in a rugged cylindrical body. The latter makes it a 360-degree camera, which you can use vertically and horizontally. The IP67 rating makes it waterproof and dustproof and also protects it against salt water.

Aside from the above features, the JBL Flip 6 has a lot going for it. You can pair it with other Flip 6 speakers to create a stereo pair to amplify the audio output. That makes it perfect for pool parties and beach get-togethers. Secondly, you can customize the audio output with its companion app. More importantly, it delivers dynamic audio with strong bass.

Compared to the Soundcore 2 above, this feature is a huge plus, especially when playing party songs. Also, it's loud. The folks at What Hi-Fi pointed out that the audio sounds energetic and has the needed oomph. Again, do note that bass notes (low-frequency notes) tend to weaken outdoors since there are no walls outside. Well, that's why we need a speaker for pool areas, right?

The JBL Flip 6 may not have a long battery like its competitor above. However, it still lasts 12 hours on moderate volume. For those unaware, the battery levels spend a lot on the volume. A high volume level means the battery will plummet sooner.

If you are on a budget and do not want a wired outdoor speaker, the JBL Flip 6 is one of the best portable waterproof outdoor speakers.

Buy

The Yamaha NS-AW150W brings the best of both worlds. They do not cost a bomb and at the same time let you enjoy good music. The best part is that you can use them indoors and outdoors. But, let us tell you that these are wired speakers and you will need an amplifier to power them. That said, these are weather resistant and can stand the occasional splashes of water. Plus, they can withstand dust to some extent.

While they’re weather-resistant nature, you can't use them directly beside the pool. However, you can mount them in a shaded area near the pool. And the flexible mounting mechanism means you can mount them horizontally and vertically.

Coming to the music output, the Yamaha NS-AW150W may not deliver flawless audio. However, the audio is crisp, and these 35W speakers deliver decent loudness. The folks at Tom's Guide opine that the vocals sound full, but the sound is a bit narrow and doesn't get around widely for an outdoor speaker.

That said, these Yamaha speakers are big compared to the above Bluetooth speakers and measure around 10 x 6 x 5.19-inch speakers.

If you are looking for entry-level wired speakers for a pool area with decent audio, then the Yamaha NS-AW150W speakers are a good pick.

Buy

If the deck or decking around your pool has grass, you may want a speaker that camouflages well with the surrounding landscapes. If yes, check out Theater Solutions’ 2R8G speakers. These speakers are popular on amazon for their interesting design. They resemble rocks and blend well with most landscapes. More notably, they deliver decent sound for the price and are loud, especially when compared to their counterparts above.

But like most mid-range outdoor speakers, the bass is not prominent. The good part is that the sound gets around pretty well. At the same time, they are easy to install. The power cable connecting them needs to be waterproof. Again, these are wired speakers. You will need a CL3 wire and an amplifier to complete the setup. Add an external volume control, and you have the perfect recipe.

The Theater Solutions 2R8G speakers are well-made and have solid build quality. Though they are waterproof, you will have to ensure that the exterior doesn't develop cracks or silt. This is true, especially if you live in an area with frequent weather changes (snow + hot). At the same time, we’d recommend covering them up during severe weather like storms or blizzards.

That said, if you do not want your outdoor speakers to stand out like a sore thumb near your pool area, these are one of the best outdoor speakers for the pool area (see best outdoor garden speakers).

Buy

The Dayton Audio IO8XTB waterproof outdoor speakers address two of the major limitations of the above speakers. For one, the sound output of this outdoor pool speaker is among the best when compared to its peers. The audio is clear, the bass is prominent and noticeable, and the odds are high that you will get the full party vibes. Also, this IP66-rated speaker is waterproof and dust resistant. It can easily resist the occasional water spray.

One of the major strengths of the IO8XTB is its audio output. It outputs crisp and natural sound and does justice to songs, irrespective of their genre. So if you are in a relaxing mood, you can play one of your favorite instrumental songs and relax in the water (or by the water).

But at the end of the day, the Dayton Audio IO8XTB speakers are bigger than some of their counterparts. They measure around 15 inches in height and weigh around 10.8 pounds. And odds are that they may stand out a little, especially if you mount them on walls. At the same time, there are mechanisms to hold them in place.

If you do not want to compromise on the sound quality and like a prominent bass, then these will prove to be a wise investment.

The watts needed for good outdoor speakers depend on the space where you will be using it. If your yard or pool area measures around 200-300 square feet, a decent 60W speaker will prove to be adequate. If the outdoor space is big, you will need around 80W or more, to fill up the space.

Depending on the ambient sounds and noise, outdoor speakers may need an amplifier to boost the audio. However, it also depends on the space where you plan to set up the speakers. If it's a large open space, an amplifier is absolutely necessary. However, if you are in a small space, say a balcony or a patio, then an amplifier might not be necessary.

If the bass output of the overall audio is not as per your expectations, then a subwoofer can help to boost it. Again, it depends on the speakers and the layout of the area.

These were some of the best outdoor speakers for pool areas. While you can opt for a portable Bluetooth speaker, a wired speaker will help you up your game.

But at the end of the day, if you are on a tight budget, you may want to try the Blufree pool speaker with lights.

Last updated on 24 March, 2023

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Namrata loves writing about products and gadgets. She has been working for Guiding Tech since 2017 and has around five years of experience writing features, how-tos, buying guides, and explainers. Previously she worked as an IT Analyst at TCS, but she found her calling elsewhere.