Young people at the beach relaxing with the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 outdoor speaker

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. I even bring a portable Bluetooth speaker in the trunk so if close friends don’t have one to use in their backyard for an event, I have them covered! 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 the best options to consider in four specific scenarios: for parties, for multi-room listening, for on the go, and private enjoyment.

1. Patio and backyard party sound

JBL portable Bluetooth party speaker

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 outdoor speaker options. At my house, we have rock speakers in the garden as well as outdoor speakers throughout the long backyard and even one wall-mounted on the deck.

If you entertain a lot and aren’t ready for a fully wired system like mine, the best option is either a large outdoor-rated party speaker or a series of smaller portable Bluetooth speakers that can be what’s called “daisy-chained” together. This means you can wirelessly link them (in some cases, hundreds of them if desired) to one another so they play music from the same source in sync. A large party speaker will provide loud, booming sound that can fill the entire backyard. 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. Some even come with guitar inputs for a late-night, around-the-fire song session, or karaoke mic inputs and other karaoke features so you can have an upbeat karaoke party whereby everyone can show off their singing chops.

If you want something more permanent for your deck, consider all-weather outdoor speakers. These can permanently remain outside, usually mounted in some way (like the ones I have). This is an great option if you just want sound on the patio, for example, or for a smaller backyard.

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 isn’t as powerful as a large party speaker. 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. And, as we’ll discuss further down, there’s the advantage of taking them with you, too. 

2. Multiroom listening in the home

sonos sound bar system

The world is your oyster when it comes to sound at home. While the great outdoors is likely your space of choice through the summer, you will inevitably spend some time inside as well. 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 when the TV is off.

For multiroom listening, considering a system that can all be controlled by a single app, whether it’s through a voice assistant and link to a smart speaker, or a system like Sonos. You can set up speakers throughout the home and then play music everywhere, even selecting different sources and music for different rooms. You, for example, might want a lovely classical playlist while you make dinner in the kitchen while the kids want pop hits while they clean their rooms upstairs. Often times, my partner will play his music in the bathroom while he showers in the morning while I have my own “workday” playlist going downstairs.

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.

3. For listening on the go

JBL Boombox 3 portable Bluetooth speaker

A 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 (including friends’ houses, as mentioned, though most of my friends now have their own set-ups for outdoor music).

Naturally, you’ll want not only a portable Bluetooth speaker but also one that is rugged and durable. These come in weather-resistant housings with ports that are protected from the elements, including dust and debris as well as, in most cases, water as well. If you have a pool, you might want to invest in a full waterproof speaker that can be totally submersed. Some are even designed to float so they can swim in the pool with you.

Look for long battery life, especially if you’re going somewhere without access to a power outlet nearby, like a campsite, spending a day at the beach, or having a picnic day in the park. Some even have carabiner clips and are ultra small and lightweight so you can clip it to a backpack while you go hiking or even for a bicycle ride.

Another great option for listening on the go if you’re traveling solo is a good pair of headphones. Look for a sports pair that’s rugged, water and sweat-proof, and that is comfortable and secure enough to wear while you go for a run or bike ride. I love truly wireless earbuds for outdoor activities because they are easy to pop into my ears before I go for a weekly trail walk, don’t add a ton of weight if I decide I want to switch to a jog or run, and many come with built-in voice assistance or easy one-touch controls on the buds for skipping tracks, activating noise cancellation or ambient awareness mode, adjusting volume, and more.

4. Listen privately

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

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. These are also great, by the way, if you’re mowing your own lawn. My 11-year-old son often borrows my noise cancelling headphones and wears them without music while he helps his dad mow the lawn so the sound isn’t so loud for him.

What type of headphones will depend on your activity. If you’re lying on a hammock catching some rays in the backyard, or enjoying a sweet tea on your porch swing on a Sunday morning, you might love a premium pair of headphones that you can fully immerse yourself into while you listen to a playlist or podcast. If you’re going for a run, sports headphones are the best option.

Enjoy the sounds of summer

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 through the summer and beyond. 

Check out these and more audio products to entertain you this summer at Best Buy Online.

Christine Persaud
Christine Persaud
With 20+ years of experience in trade and consumer tech journalism, I have covered the tech space since before social media was a "thing" and the smartphone as we know it was even invented. Writing for various technology, lifestyle, and entertainment sites, I have covered and reviewed hundreds of tech products, from home appliances to wearables, fitness tech to headphones, TV entertainment products and services, and more. I'm also a passionate foodie who loves to cook and bake, a TV show fanatic (happy to give what to watch recommendations!), and proud mother to a 12-year-old son.
Instagram Linkedin Twitter

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

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. 🙂

Newer Comments »

Comments are closed.