Portable garden speakers

Make the great outdoors sound great with speakers that you'll be proud to show off at whatever fresh air shindig you're throwing

- David Nield, Duncan Bell, Yasmine Crossland

As the weather gets warmer, so the natural urge to spend more time outside increases. In the same way moths are drawn to the light, we get drawn to the outdoors once the temperature starts going up – and if you’re lucky enough to have some garden space where you live, you should make the most of it.

Your outdoor spaces are going to be the same as any other space in terms of music however – a tune or twenty can really add to the atmosphere as you head outside, whether that atmosphere is relaxing on your own or partying with a few friends. This is where an outdoor speaker can come in.

The good news is that manufacturers know what a difference an outdoor speaker can make, so they've catered for this particular part of the market. You'll find plenty of makes and models to pick from, all designed with a little bit of extra durability so they don't break down as soon as they hit fresh air.

The speakers that we're covering here are battery-powered and work via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, so you don't have to worry about tripping up over cables or fixing a power socket in the middle of your flower beds. Despite their compact size and portability, they still pack an incredible audio punch.

And once you've got an outdoor speaker in place, you can start thinking about extras. You can create an outdoor audio experience that's perfectly tailored for you.

WHAT'S ON TEST...

1. B&O Beolit 20

We know B&O’s audio gear is solid, and the Beolit 20 sounds fantastic. In terms of looks it’s delightfully retro, you get around eight hours of battery life, there’s easy speaker control via an accompanying app, and you can even charge up your smartphone by putting it on top of the speaker.

£499, bang-olufsen.com