Recently, my mother started gardening and wanted to listen to her favorite songs while working in the backyard.
I suggested she use a portable Bluetooth speaker, but she wasn’t happy with the experience. Firstly, the speaker isn’t loud enough to cover the whole backyard, and it is cumbersome for her to carry around.
It led me to question what is a good wattage for an outdoor speaker that’s audible and can be kept at a fixed place in the backyard.
Quick Answer
A 125-150-watt outdoor speaker is the right choice for a 500 sq. ft. backyard. A multi-speaker system can cover a wider area without keeping the volume at 100% at all times.
I know many of you also have a backyard/outdoor space and want to set up an outdoor speaker system within your budget.
I’ve answered this question in detail to help you figure out the right wattage for backyard speakers.
Quick Info about Outdoor Speakers Wattage
Outdoor speakers usually come in pairs for the best coverage and sound quality.
For example, a 150-watt outdoor speaker system will have two satellite speakers, each delivering 75 watts of power output. A multi-speaker system is ideal for improved sound quality and better stereo separation.
Here’s a breakdown of speaker wattage you should consider for outdoor usage:
| Coverage Area | Speaker Power Output |
| 300 sq. ft. | 60-80 Watts |
| 400 sq. ft. | 80-125 Watts |
| 500 sq. ft. | 125-150 Watts |
| 700 sq. ft. | 175-220 Watts |
| 1000 sq. ft. | 250-350 Watts |
| 1500 sq. ft. | 350-500 Watts |
| 2000 sq. ft. | 500-750 Watts |
Compared to home speakers, outdoor speakers need to be louder.
In an open space, sound waves cannot bounce off the walls and ceiling like in a living room. The ambient noise can also affect an outdoor speaker’s overall sound output.
Best Type of Speakers for Outdoor Use
I usually have a few customers walk into my store every month who want speakers for their backyard but choose a model meant for home usage.
If you’re too planning to use your home speakers outdoors? Please hold that thought.
Home speakers aren’t designed to handle outdoor elements like dust, sunlight, rain, etc. They also have shorter cables; thus, you can’t keep them far apart.
Hence, there are special types of speakers meant for outdoor use. They are called patio speakers or, more commonly, outdoor speakers.
Speakers like the Kicker KB6B and Polk Audio Atrium are patio speakers specially meant for outdoor use.
They come in a set of 2 or 4 speaker units, and you can easily mount them on outdoor walls or poles.
Outdoor speakers are particularly designed to handle dust, harsh winds, light rains, sunlight, and more.
Most outdoor speakers are wired, so you must plan their placement carefully. Plus, you’ll need an amplifier to power them.
Patio speakers are a great pick if you’re looking for a permanent outdoor speaker setup without burning a hole in your pocket.
Wireless Option for Outdoor Speakers
Do you want to use outdoor speakers occasionally for pool parties or backyard get-togethers? Then, you should consider getting party speakers like the JBL Partybox 110, which is a mammoth 160W wireless Bluetooth speaker.
Such types of party speakers are dust and water-resistant and can produce a massive sound that covers a larger area.
Party speakers include multiple drivers within a single unit and can offer sound output between 60-700 watts, depending on the speakers.
Apart from loud sound, party speakers include numerous features like a rechargeable battery, Bluetooth connectivity, TWS support, party lights, a trolley handle, and a portable design. So after you’re done using it in your backyard, you can take it to a picnic or your friend’s pool party.
Some party speakers also come with a microphone for karaoke, making them ideal for kids’ birthday parties, gender reveal parties, and family get-togethers.
Compared to patio speakers, party speakers are expensive, and the system is enclosed in a single unit. Thus, you don’t get a surround sound experience.
However, a few party speakers come with TWS functionality. Hence, you can connect two party speakers (like the JBL Partybox 110) together and enjoy a loud and stereo surround sound experience.
Things to Consider before buying Outdoor Speakers
1. Coverage Area
Before finalizing outdoor speakers, knowing the outdoor space area is crucial.
Initially, I made the same mistake in my parents’ backyard. I bought a couple of smaller Bluetooth speakers with TWS functionality. These speakers were loud for an indoor space, but couldn’t cover the whole backyard.
A larger area needs speakers with higher power output. In contrast, buying an excessively loud speaker for a smaller area is a waste of money.
My parents’ house has a relatively smaller area, i.e., less than 250 sq. ft. Thus, I later thought of getting rugged yet loud speakers like the JBL Xtreme or Soundcore Boom. These speakers have a portable design and a larger battery, yet they are loud enough to cover a small backyard.
Finally, I got 2x Soundcore Boom 2 wireless Bluetooth speakers. Each speaker produces up to 80W of power output, costing less than $100 each.
2. Speaker Units & Placement
Let’s say you have a 1000 sq. ft. backyard, and according to the above table, you’re considering a 250-watt speaker system.
However, I don’t recommend getting a single speaker with a 250-watt power output. This is because a single speaker will cover less area than two speakers, each with 125W sound output.
With a single speaker, you have to crank up the volume to 100% to cover the entire 1000 sq. ft. area. It can crackle the sound and ruin your overall experience.
Moreover, at 100% volume, the sound will make it unbearable to walk near the speaker.
Thus, I recommend getting a multi-speaker system that offers surround sound and better stereo separation. In short, a multi-speaker system offers better sound coverage than a single-speaker system.
3. Ambient Noise
For outdoor speakers, ambient noise can affect the overall sound output.
If you live in a quiet neighborhood, you don’t need excessively loud speakers to cover a larger area.
On the other hand, in a noisy environment, you will need louder speakers to drown out the ambient noise.
Also, make sure you’re not creating a nuisance for your neighbors with the loud volume.
4. Budget
Outdoor or party speakers can cost anywhere from $100 to $2000+.
Thus, before you make a purchase, it’s important to know your budget beforehand.
For example, you can get a ‘loud’ speaker from a relatively lesser-known brand for a low price. On the other hand, speakers from known brands like JBL cost a bomb.
Patio speakers are generally cheaper and come in multiple units. You also need an amplifier to power them and some DIY skills to mount them in your backyard.
In comparison, party speakers are available in a single unit with a plug-and-play experience.
Moreover, for the best sound output and audio experience, I recommend getting two-party speakers with TWS functionality to cover a wider area.
FAQs
Is a 20W speaker loud for outdoor use?
No, a 20W speaker isn’t loud for outdoor use, unless you’re sitting 2-5 feet away from the speaker.
How loud do outdoor speakers need to be?
95 to 110 decibels is a good range for outdoor speaker loudness. The loudness also varies based on how far you are from the speaker.
Is a 100W speaker loud for outdoor use?
Yes, a 100W speaker is loud for a smaller backyard that’s less than 250 sq. ft.
Does more watts mean better sound quality?
No, a speaker’s wattage affects its loudness, but it doesn’t mean the speaker will have better sound quality.
Conclusion
I hope this article helped answer your question about what a good wattage is for outdoor speakers.
In short, you can’t use home speakers in your backyard because they can’t handle outdoor conditions. The best way to jazz up your backyard is to get outdoor speakers or party speakers, which can handle outdoor extremes and offer excellent sound output.
Have any questions? Please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below.