Group test: Best outdoor Bluetooth speakers

The freedom to enjoy your music anywhere

AS LISTENING HABITS have changed in recent years, more of our music than ever is streamed from the cloud or a portable device. Being able to play your music outdoors, be it in the garden for a party or in the park while working out, no longer requires the kinds of trade–offs it used to. Ranging from ultra– portable to more audiophile– friendly, modern Bluetooth speakers have really upped their game when it comes to things like battery life, volume, audio fidelity, and even waterproofing.

A portable speaker connects to your iPhone or iPad and Macs directly over Bluetooth, and in some cases Wi–Fi: AirPlay makes it really easy to stream your music to compatible devices on your network. Higher–end models can also integrate Spotify and other streaming services, for added ease. Typically providing controls both on the body and via a smartphone app, some also have physical audio inputs for connecting other audio equipment. Whatever level of features appeals to your particular needs, a portable Bluetooth speaker lets you enjoy your music with others wherever you are, and their sonic capabilities may well surprise you.