Take a moment to picture the perfect holiday snap: you relaxing in some picturesque location, with the sun shining and a cold drink in your hand. Yes, it's a pretty picture — but what about the sounds? The only thing that could make this image even more perfect would be having an excellent speaker at your side, pumping out your favourite tunes.

When you’re selecting a speaker for this scene, there are a few features you’re going to want to prioritise. Choosing a wireless speaker — one that doesn’t tangle you in power cords and can easily connect to your phone via WiFi or Bluetooth — can definitely make things easier, which is why you should only consider a wireless speaker for outside use.

Wireless technology isn't the only feature that you need for an outdoor speaker. Also important for outdoor use is some kind of weather-resistance or waterproofing. There are other things to consider too, so here's a guide to everything you need to know.

With today’s WiFi and Bluetooth technology, there’s no need to fumble with complicated installations and worry about safely burying wires outside in all the wet and windy elements. You’re better off with a Bluetooth speaker that easily connects to your devices — smartphone, tablet, laptop, whatever — and seamlessly streams your tunes. 

Another benefit is that you can often link several of them together via Bluetooth to provide complete audio coverage across your outdoor space. You can also use that tech to sync the audio playing indoors and outdoors to keep your party’s vibe consistent.

We have checked out a wide range of wireless outdoor speakers, and come up with a shortlist of things you should care about. These are the most important things to consider:

Sound quality — Just like with any speaker purchase, you’re going to want to prioritise sound quality. What’s the point if your speaker doesn’t play your tunes any better than your phone? So make sure you pick something with bass, clear audio, and good volume.

Durability — This might seem obvious, but you need your outdoor speaker to be durable. If it's not, then it's not going to last very long. Chances are, any outdoor speaker is going to take a few bumps and it might even get dropped. So the last thing you need is something that easily breaks.

Weather-resistance — Of course, nothing is indestructible in the elements, but you will need something that can hold up at least for a little while in whatever weather conditions are common near you. This is where a speaker that's water or heat resistant can come in handy.

Waterproofing — We have just mentioned how important water resistance is, but you should also look for the next step in protection. If you’re planning to use your speaker near a pool, lake, or sea, you should get one that can be submerged in water. Accidents happen, and it's best to play it safe with a waterproof speaker.

Battery Life — The major downside of wireless speakers is that they need to be charged periodically. Make sure that the outdoor speaker you choose has a decent battery life if you plan to use it often and don’t want to think about recharging too much. 10-12 hours is about average.

Another reason to go for a wireless outdoor speaker is that some are compatible with the voice assistants you already own, like Google Home or Amazon’s line of Alexa-enabled Echo devices. Imagine just telling your speakers to play your favourite song. That’s not just wireless, but touchless too. You can man the BBQ, splash around during your pool party, or simply keep lounging in the sun without ever lifting a finger.

Once you've made sense of what matters most to you, and what you should be looking for in an outdoor speaker, you can actually decide on your preferred device. This isn't the most simple task, because there are a lot of options out there that tick a lot of boxes.

To make things easier for you, we have lined up a selection of the best wireless outdoor speakers, including popular models from top brands like JBL and Ultimate Ears. We have searched high and low to bring you this list, and we're confident that there is something for everyone and every budget.

These are the best wireless outdoor speakers in 2022.

The Bose SoundLink Revolve Series II is an attractive, tech-minded speaker that lives up to the idea of being an "all-rounder". It offers true 360-degree surround sound, making for an immersive listening experience that reaches every corner of the garden party. If that's not enough, you can pair the Bose SoundLink Revolve Series II with a second Bose speaker and get authentic stereo sound.

It's easy to control with the Bose Connect app, which allows you to switch between two modes — Stereo mode or Party mode — depending on your mood or preference.

Smart features are impressive, with a built-in mic that gives you access to Google Assistant or Siri (but no Alexa, unusually) and allows you to take calls.

In short, crank up the music (it goes mega-loud) then call your pals to tell them the party has started.

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.

The speaker also knows how to keep the party going. It offers 15 hours 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. 

It does take about three hours to charge, which can be a chore, but it's worth the wait. The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 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.