Investing in a quality set of balcony speakers is a great way to add entertainment to your outdoor space. For better or worse, the market is flooded with outdoor speakers, so choosing a good set – especially for an area like a balcony – can be challenging.
To help you out, here are our top 5 picks for balcony speakers. Before jumping into the list, let’s go over the important buying considerations.
Choosing Balcony Speakers
Adding speakers to your balcony is ideal for listening to music outdoors or for playing podcasts while you relax. Of course, choosing speakers isn’t easy because you must balance quality against price.
Here are some important things to consider when choosing balcony speakers.
Weatherproof
Regardless of whether your balcony is covered or not, it’s advisable to choose weatherproof outdoor speakers. Specifically, they should be water-resistant, which you can check via the product’s IP rating.
There’s a good chance that speakers on a covered balcony might get damp, so some level of water protection is a must.
Bluetooth Connectivity
This one is a no-brainer. Fewer devices have AUX connections, so having Bluetooth balcony speakers is ideal for connecting multiple devices quickly and easily.
Number of Speakers
Generally, there’s no need to get more than 2 speakers unless your balcony is very big. Music is formatted in stereo, meaning it comes out of 2 speakers, so surround sound isn’t necessary.
Any music-oriented speakers claiming to offer surround sound split the stereo format to emulate surround sound. While it sounds fancy, it drastically reduces audio quality.
Portability
You’ll know whether portable balcony speakers are the best option for you. They’re suitable for large balconies or patios, and for renters who can’t install permanent speakers.
However, you may have to sacrifice a level of audio quality for portable speakers, unless you’re willing to pay more.
But if you don’t have any restrictions on installation, permanent speakers will generally provide better audio quality.
Top 5 Speakers for a Balcony
1. Fiodio Waterproof Portable Speakers
These balcony speakers are portable but provide decent sound quality considering the price. They’re waterproof and have both wired and wireless connectivity.
The speakers even have lighting with different modes and call connectivity. It means you can use the built-in microphone to answer calls if needed. While not a necessary feature, it can be useful if your phone is elsewhere.
But, as with all speakers, you get what you pay for. The bass isn’t great and the maximum volume is fine but won’t be enough for large spaces. If you’re on a budget, though, these are a good choice.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Portable
- RGB lighting
Cons
- Sound quality isn’t amazing
2. Polk Atrium 4 Outdoor Speakers
If you’re looking for permanent balcony speakers, you could do a lot worse than a set from Polk. While this is a set with great sound quality and bass, they’re better suited for true audiophiles.
This is because you’ll need an AV receiver and amplifier, and you’ll need to wire them yourself. It’s not a super difficult job, but it requires existing kit or quite a significant hardware investment.
But, they’re rust and weather-resistant, making them suitable for covered and uncovered outdoor spaces. Passive speakers (such as these) do have their advantages, providing you’ve got the time and money to wire them into an existing audio setup.
Pros
- Great audio quality
- Weather resistant
- Good addition to existing audio setup
Cons
- Requires existing hardware
3. Landshark String Lights with Bluetooth Speakers
Combining lighting and speakers has never been easier. These string lights with Bluetooth speakers are suitable for use outdoors, providing you’ve got a suitable wall outlet.
Despite being 12 feet long, there are only 2 speakers. As mentioned, it’s because this is the appropriate number, but it does feel a bit weak considering the length.
Also, the speakers are fine but provide the kind of audio quality you’d expect from something so small. The Bluetooth range is 33 feet, though, so that’s something! They’d be great for smaller balconies due to the speaker size.
Pros
- Ideal for smaller balconies
- Combines lighting and speakers
- Weather resistant
Cons
- Only 2 speakers on 12 feet of string lights
4. JBL Outdoor Boombox
Although these balcony speakers are easily the most expensive on this list, the quality is noticeable. JBL is a powerhouse in the speaker market, and this boombox has all the features you’ll need.
It’s completely waterproof, has Bluetooth connectivity and provides 24 hours of playback off a single charge. Better yet, the bass is noticeable and surprisingly deep for such a small device. Bass is where most portable speakers fall short, so it’s arguably worth the extra money.
The speakers also have a built-in powerbank, so you can charge your phone. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, these might just be the perfect speakers for a balcony.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Fully waterproof
- Built-in powerbank
Cons
- Pricey
5. Pohopa Bluetooth Outdoor Speakers
Considering these speakers are meant to look like lanterns, they provide good enough sound quality. They get a bit tinny at higher volumes, but this is standard for a product in this price range.
They have wireless device pairing and AUX connectivity. Also, each speaker has 20 LEDs around the top, so they provide light, too. They’re battery powered, but you’ll get around 12 hours of playback off a single charge.
As they’re designed like lanterns, it’ll be best to hang them up. That said, nothing is stopping you from putting them on a table. As with other low-to-mid-range balcony speakers, the sound quality isn’t amazing. Again, you get what you pay for.
Pros
- Good way of hiding speakers
- Built-in LEDs
- Decent battery life
Cons
- Sound quality is about what you’d expect
Final Thoughts on Balcony Speakers
Hopefully, these options will help you narrow down your choices for balcony speakers. As with any other speakers, your main priority should be sound quality, and you should consider stretching your budget as much as possible.
Of course, there are some budget-friendly portable speakers for your balcony, but don’t expect miracles from them!