When I think about summertime, pretty much any activity I do, whether it’s at home or away, involves music played through either my home audio system or a portable speaker. Splashing around in the pool, hanging out at the beach, chilling in the backyard with friends and family, doing chores around the house, cooking in the kitchen, or camping with the kids can all be drastically improved with music. But how can you decide what kind of speaker will provide you with the best experience for your lifestyle and summer plans? Here’s a look at some of the best option to consider for your personal “Sounds of Summer” needs.

Full sound for your next patio and backyard party

I don’t think my family ever goes into the backyard without music. Whether we’re working from home on the back deck, tending to the garden, building a shed, or playing games, there’s music. And when we have friends and family over, the special party playlists come out.

There are many options for getting sound on the patio and in the backyard. At my house we have rock speakers in the garden as well as an outdoor wall-mounted speaker on the deck.

jbl partybox 100 speakerIf you entertain a lot, a speaker like the JBL PartyBox 100 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker is an option worth considering. You’ll get loud, booming sound that can fill the entire backyard and you can easily stream your favourite playlists to it, have guests take over by connecting their smartphones via Bluetooth, or plug in a USB drive with tunes. The 12-hour battery life means it can run all night. It even has cool RGB LED light patterns that sync with the music to give off the perfect party vibe. To create an even more immersive experience, connect up to two more compatible JBL speakers via True Wireless Stereo. And using the mic and guitar inputs, the musician in the family can rock out; or turn things into a karaoke party!

If you want something more permanent for your deck, consider all-weather speakers like the Klipsch AW-400 Outdoor Speakers. They have paintable UV-resistant ABS enclosures with a rustproof aluminum grille to blend in with outdoor décor. And they come with a C-style mounting bracket and hardware. Sold in pairs, set them up for enveloping stereo sound on your patio or deck.

klipsch outdoor speakers

If you’d rather have something simpler and more versatile,  consider an outdoor-friendly portable Bluetooth speaker that you can easily move indoors and out—take it wherever you go. The sound it provides might not provide as powerful as something like the JBL PartyBox, but for background music outside it will likely be just fine. Plus, you can find ones that are ruggedly built and can withstand the elements, from snow and rain to extreme heat.

Fill every room of your home with the sounds of summer

The world is your oyster when it comes to sound at home. In my house, when the TV isn’t on, 99% of the time, music is. Whether it’s quiet background tunes while we work from home or eat dinner, or exciting music to get us going while doing chores or cooking, bopping to tunes is a must.

How can you get the best music experience at home? There are so many options. Tower speakers or wireless multi-room speakers that provide an immersive listening experience when watching TV or playing video games can also come in handy for playing back music when the TV isn’t on. Even a soundbar can serve multiple purposes including just playing your favourite music.

bose soundbar home audio

For example, the Bose Soundbar 700 Smart Speaker has voice control built in so you can just tell Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to play your music; it also has a universal remote and works with the Bose Music app. To switch to personal listening, pair it with the Bose Headphones 900 using Bose SimpleSync. When listening with the entire family, ADAPTiQ audio room calibration helps fine tune the sound to your room so you get the best possible listening experience.

Another great indoor options is a nice-looking portable home speaker: you can move it around and play music in whatever room you are in. The Bose Home 500 Wireless Multi-Room Speaker delivers room-filling sound and it’s compact so you can place it just about anywhere. Plus, it has built-in voice control capabilities using Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa so you can simply ask it to play your favourite playlist. Alternatively, use the buttons on the speaker itself, which include six customizable presets, or the Bose Music app. Using Bose SimpleSync technology, pair it with select Bose SoundLink speakers to expand the listening experience and hear the music in more than one room, or on different floors of the house.

bose home speaker

For those who really want to harken back to the old days, lie back with a hot coffee or tea, and immerse yourself in a vinyl album spinning on a turntable. There are models that range from entry-level to super Hi-Fi enthusiast. Connect one to your existing speakers and enjoy that signature crackle as the needle hits the record.

Durable outdoor speakers compatible with your active lifestyle

A very popular category of portable Bluetooth speakers are ultra-portable, rugged, and waterproof ones that you can confidently take anywhere. I have one that I bring along if we go to a cottage, camping, beach, or any other outdoor space away from the house.

ua boom 3 portable bluetooth speakerThe Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker comes with a POWER UP Charging Dock that makes it easy to recharge when needed, providing up to 15 hours of listening on the go. With 360-degree sound, you can even have a backyard party or play music everyone can enjoy while deep into a game of volleyball on the beach. It’s compact and is waterproof so it can be immersed in up to a metre of water for up to 30 minutes. A neat Magic Button on the device can be used to play, pause, and skip tracks right from the speaker itself.

If you’re getting active on your own, a good pair of fitness headphones are essential. One of my favourite brands in this respect is Jabra, and the Jabra 75t In-Ear Noise Cancelling Truly Wireless Headphones offer an impressive up to 28 hours of battery life when using the charging case (7.5 hours per charge). They are IP55-rated for dust and water-resistance, so you can safely use them while going for a run or cycle in the rain. Use the Jabra Sound+ app to customize the listening experience and the four microphones to accept incoming calls or interact with your phone’s voice assistant. The passive noise cancelling technology means you can focus on your music and not distracting sounds around you.

jabra 75t true wireless earbuds

While those headphones are great, I also really like the Jabra Elite Sport In-Ear Truly Wireless Headphones, which can also keep track of your heart rate and deliver in-ear coaching as you work out.

Privacy At Home or On The Go

While sharing music with loved ones can be fun, sometimes you just want to sit back and enjoy tunes on your own, revelling in every note, strum of the guitar, and tickling of the keys. If you spring for a decent pair of noise cancelling headphones, you get the added benefit of blocking out ambient noise around you so your neighbour mowing his lawn or the garbage truck passing by won’t interrupt your listening session.

sony noise cancelling headphones

Sony’s WH1000XM3/B Over-Ear Noise Canceling Headphones feature a proprietary HD noise canceling processor that blocks out surrounding noise. Plus, it features built-inGoogle Assistant so you can simply say “next track” and manage your playlists all from your voice. The 30-hour battery life and convenient folding design means you can use it for private listening both at home and on to go.

Another unique option is audio glasses like the Bose Frames Alto Bluetooth Audio Sunglasses, which can play music for personal listening while also blocking out harmful UVA/UVB rays. Pop on a pair and lie back in the backyard hammock with some relaxing tunes.

 

How are you going to get the most from your sounds of summer? Huge tower speakers in the living room? Small, light, portable speakers in your backpack? As I’ve discussed, the options are pretty much endless and there are speakers to suit your lifestyle indoors and outdoors. Check out these and more audio products to entertain you this summer at Best Buy Online.

Christine Persaud
I am a tech expert and journalist with 17+ years of experience in trade and consumer tech journalism. I write for a number of technology, business, parenting, family, and lifestyle Websites, blogs, and magazines. A self-professed lover of tech, I'm also a passionate foodie who loves to cook and bake, a TV junkie, and proud mother to an 8-year-old son.

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65 COMMENTS

  1. I would definitely like to win the JBL PartyBox 100 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker as I spend most of the spring, summer and fall in my yard and this would make yard work an activity to look forward to!!!

  4. Hi, I posted a message on the 17 but I don’t see. I just don’t want to miss the opportunity to win a soundbar. Kind regards,

  5. I have always been partial to the JBL speaker. There is something about the sound that delights my ears.

  7. I’m a big fan of anything BOSE, so I’d have to go with the wireless speaker. I had a sound dock that lasted for years and the sound was fantastic. Rich and loud, yet very compact.

  10. I would most like the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker, due to it being waterproof in case of splashes by the lake.

  11. The Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker sounds like just the speaker I need!

  12. I like the Sony’s WH1000XM3/B Over-Ear Noise Canceling Headphones for their quality noise cancelling but I also like the Bose Home 500 for its loud soundstage precense.

  13. I favour the Sony’s WH1000XM3/B Over-Ear Noise Canceling Headphones for their 30-hr battery life (so lots of music), sound quality, and close-back nature (so I don’t bother anyone else with my music).

  14. I’m most interested in the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker as an easy way to add better sound in my car, streaming from my phone

  16. I’d love an indoor soundbar like the Bose Soundbar 700 Smart Speaker to listen to music and audiobooks in my home!

  21. Bose Home Speaker 500 Because Bose sound never fails. Curious to how “Bose on the go” would sound. Thanks for the details.

  22. I’m interested in the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker because we could use it anywhere and since it’s waterproof, no worries if there’s an unexpected sun shower or splash from the pool.

  23. Focal Aria 926 3-Way Bass Reflex Floor Standing – Dark Walnut (Pair) because the deliver superb sound quality and add beauty to my living room

  25. The Sony Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones because they are wireless and controllable via Google assistant.

  27. WOW, The Bose Home 500 Wireless Multi-Room Speaker would be perfect for me. So portable and compact. The voice control is another feature that I love. Thanks for the chance

  28. Would love the Jabra Elite Sport In-Ear Noise Cancelling Truly Wireless Headphones, they are exactly what I need for working out!

  29. I love the “JBL Boombox 2 Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker – Black”. Looks amazing, would be great at the cottage beach.

  30. The Bose Home 500 wireless Multi-Room Speaker is my favorite with Amazon Alexa
    and Google and the ability to move room to room. I would have my favorite music wherever I went in our home. YES!

  31. At the cottage I need portability and JBL PartyBox 100 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker is the one for me.

  33. I love the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker as it comes with a POWER UP Charging Dock, and that charge provides 15 hours of listening time.

  34. The Bose Frames Alto Bluetooth Audio Sunglasses because they can play music and also they block out harmful UVA/UVB rays.

  35. Would love the Jabra Elite Sport In-Ear Truly Wireless Headphones because I hate getting tangled up in cords and this would be great for my walks.

  36. The Jabra 75t In-Ear Noise Cancelling Truly Wireless Headphones because of the impressive up to 28 hours of battery life.

  37. I like the Bose Home Speaker 500 Wireless Multi-Room Speaker as my use is only indoors and the ability to move it from room to room sounds great!

  38. Bose Home 500 Wireless Multi-Room Speaker. I can take it from the Bedroom to the Basement all in one sound.

  39. The one I like the most is the Bose Home Speaker 500 Wireless Multi-Room Speaker since you can easily take it wherever you need it.

  40. Bose is such a great brand! I’d love the Bose Home 500 Wireless Multi-Room Speaker so I can enjoy high quality sound in any room in my apartment.

  42. I’m a big Bose fan, so I like the Bose Home Speaker 500 Wireless Multi-Room Speaker with Voice Control Built-In. Nice design and compact.

  44. I like the Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness Tracker with Heart Rate Monitor in Rosewood. I really like the colour and that it you can receive alerts for texts, calls, calendar events, and notifications when your phone is nearby.

  45. The Bose wireless Smart home 500 would be great because of its size and how it could be places anywhere

  46. JBL PartyBox 100 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker. Although Im sure my neighbours would prefer I get Jabra Elite Sport In-Ear Truly Wireless Headphones,

  48. I like the Bose Home 500 Wireless Multi-Room Speaker because it’s compact so you can place it just about anywhere, and it has built-in voice control capabilities.

  50. The JBL PartyBox 100 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker must be really good because they are currently sold out at Best Buy. 🙂

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