The best outdoor radio options for endless entertainment
Contributing Editor
With the best outdoor radio, you’re always ready to tune into some entertainment. Whether you’re heading out on a family camping trip, or hosting a BBQ, it’s great to have a waterproof outdoor radio on-hand.
The good news for people who prefer to live life on the move is that there are plenty of different kinds of radios that thrive in the great outdoors.
Everything from ghetto blasters to survival radios give us the freedom to listen to recorded music, radio, and podcasts on the go.
Just like any other music system, the ideal outdoor radio isn’t a one-size-fits-all system.
While some people will need a waterproof outdoor radio to counteract unpredictable weather, others will want something simple and lightweight.
To help you transform your radio habit into an all-terrain hobby, we’ve done some research.
Today, we’re going to introduce you to some of the best outdoor radio and speakers systems on the market.
Let’s rock and roll.
Sangean LB-100 ultra rugged (best with roll cage)
Most outdoor radios feature extra stability and durability in their design. That’s because when you’re outside, it’s not as easy to protect your equipment from knocks, bumps, and even water damage.
This outdoor portable radio from Sangean is the perfect example of a lightweight and user-friendly option for people who need their radio to withstand anything.
Intended to entertain workers on a job site, the Sangean LB-100 has an ultra-rugged structure, complete with a shock and dust resistant roll-cage.
Even if you drop your radio from a decent height, it should continue to work as usual.
This high-performance AM/FM radio comes with a 10 station memory, and dynamic loudness technology to improve your listening experience.
The radio even protects against exposure to rain and moisture. This rain-resistant device has a J1S4 rating for peace of mind when you’re outdoors. Plus, the speaker is water-resistant too.
Features include:
- Rugged industrial-grade design
- AM/FM radio with 10 pre-sets
- Rain resistant to JIS4 standard
- Water-resistant speaker
- Compact roll-cage
- Dust and shock resistant
- Battery or cord operated
- Compact and portable design
- Tactile tuning knobs
The LB-100 outdoor radio is great for anyone who wants to prepare for anything that life has to throw at them.
Not only is this waterproof outdoor radio easy to use, but it’s convenient too, with the option to choose battery or outlet-based power.
One slight downside is the reception isn’t as great as it could be.
Pros:
- Roll cage for protection
- Dust and shock-resistant
- Resistant to water and rain
- Compact and portable
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Not the best AM/FM reception
- Not very attractive
TENMIYA boombox (best with subwoofer)
Take your outdoor radio system to the next level with a product designed to turn the volume up to 11.
This TENMIYA boombox provides incredibly powerful sound through a 30-watt three-speaker configuration.
There’s a passive subwoofer included to upgrade your bass experience, and interior technology to reduce harmonic distortion.
FM radio is available with automatic search and save for all your local stations. There’s even a handy remote control included so you can find your station faster.
This outdoor Bluetooth radio also gives you the freedom to stream your content from any device with a connection. Bluetooth 4.2 ensures a strong lag-free link to your smartphone.
Alongside incredible portability and volume, the outdoor radio, and speakers from TENMIYA also comes with a bundle of extra features to explore, including colorful lights and EQ sound effects.
There’s even a microphone input on the speaker so you can turn your BBQ into a karaoke party.
Features include:
- Powerful Bluetooth connection
- Loudspeaker and passive subwoofer
- Minimal harmonic distortion
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Portable design with carry handle
- 4000 mAh rechargeable battery
- 10 hours of battery life
- Microphone inlet
- Colourful lights and sound effects
- FM radio with automatic tuning
- Remote control
The TENMIYA boombox is a brilliant device if you’re looking to have a little extra fun with your outdoor speaker.
This powerful device provides booming bass and amazing lightshows at the touch of a button.
It doesn’t, however, offer any water resistance for peace of mind when it rains. The FM radio system can also be confusing to program.
Pros:
- Powerful Bluetooth streaming
- Great battery life
- Microphone input included
- Lights and sound effects
- Passive subwoofer
Cons:
- No waterproofing
- Not the easiest FM radio to use
Pyle Bluetooth street blaster (best boombox)
The ghetto blaster, or boombox is one of the most iconic options for an outdoor AM FM radio on the market today.
These sensational speakers are ideal for delivering volume and versatility on the move. One of the best boombox options we’ve seen is the Pyle street blaster.
This outdoor Bluetooth radio comes with built-in Bluetooth for wireless streaming at a distance of up to 32 feet.
There’s a ported enclosure design that protects the internal technology on your speaker if it suffers bumps and scrapes. You also get a handy extra-strong strap for carrying your device around.
With a digital screen included, you can easily skip through tracks and FM stations, plus there’s a 3.5mm aux cable too.
If all that wasn’t enough, the Pyle street blaster also comes with features like multi-color flashing LED lights, and a microphone input slot if you want to throw your own karaoke party.
Features include:
- Wireless Bluetooth streaming
- High-powered speaker performance
- Portable and wireless boombox
- Microphone input
- Multi-color LED lights
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- LCD
- Integrated carry handle
- Rolling wheels for portability
- Wireless range of up to 32 feet
This outdoor radio is great for its portability, versatility, and consistent performance.
Although the Bluetooth connection is a little weak in places, you still get a good AM/FM link.
Plus, there are jacks for your microphone and guitar – which is a nice extra touch.
Pros:
- Microphone and guitar input
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Flashing LED lights
- Easy-to-use LCD screen
- Rechargeable battery
Cons:
- Limited sound quality at high volumes
- Not the best Bluetooth
HOLABABY NOAA weather radio (best for emergencies)
Sometimes, having an outdoor AM/ FM radio on-hand isn’t just about being prepared for on-the-go entertainment.
The right portable device can also be a source of confidence when you’re hiking or camping.
This high-performance outdoor radio comes with a built-in Li-ion rechargeable battery. If you run out of charge though, there are other power options too.
You can use the solar panel to access energy from the sun, use the emergency hand-crank, or even connect your device to your smartphone or car battery.
There’s the option to use AAA batteries too.
This versatile radio comes with AM/FM radio connectivity, as well as access to all the NOAA weather band and alert channels.
To give you extra peace of mind on the move, HOLABABY also includes features like a flashlight and reading lamp, compass, and an SOS alarm.
Features include:
- Flashlight and reading lamp
- AM/FM and NOAA radio
- Emergency hand crank and solar panel
- Battery power option
- Compass for navigation
- SOS alarm
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- Lightweight and durable design
- Portable hand strap
For extra confidence when you spend a lot of time outdoors, this radio is a great product to have on-hand.
It’s worth noting that you don’t get any Bluetooth connection, and there’s no waterproofing included, which is a bit of a shame for an emergency radio.
Pros:
- High-power flashlight included
- Multiple recharging options available
- Built-in compass
- AM, FM, and NOAA radio
- Included SOS alarm
Cons:
- No waterproofing
- No Bluetooth connectivity
Xeneo X21 portable radio (best lightweight option)
We covered a lightweight outdoor portable radio above with the AUDIIO product.
This system is a little more appealing for people who want to share their music outdoors, without having to carry a huge boombox around.
The Xeneo X21 speaker benefits from rich bass with 15w power drivers and astonishing stereo clarity.
The cylinder shaped device is great for delivering excellent sound projection. At the same time, the rugged and weatherproof design caters to life on the move.
Durable and convenient, this handy multifunctional outdoor speaker ensures that you stay tuned into what matters wherever you go.
There’s AM/FM radio, or you can connect your device to your smartphone with Bluetooth.
There’s also the option to link one Xeneo speaker to another for a complete surround-sound experience.
Features include:
- Stunning audio with rich bass
- Handy multifunctional performance
- Micro SD card
- Bluetooth streaming
- Rugged and weatherproof
- IP6X splash proof rating
- Stereo pairing
- Case included
- Carry strap
- 1-year warranty
The Xeneo outdoor radio looks and feels incredible, with a durable and lightweight design that’s perfect for life on the go.
You can use this device in your car or strap it to your wrist on your next hike. The IP6X rating means that you don’t have to worry about rain or splashes.
It can be difficult to get the volume level right, as it seems to go up and down very quickly.
Pros:
- Great lightweight design
- IP6X splash proof performance
- Rugged and weatherproof design
- 1-year warranty included
- Bluetooth and SD card reading
Cons:
- Difficult to control the volume
- Not as easy to use as some products
How to choose the best outdoor radio
As radio technology continues to evolve, it’s easier than ever for music fans to get their hands on the right equipment.
These days, you can find radios that withstand water in the shower or continue to deliver great music via solar power.
The best outdoor radios for your needs will be the ones that offer the right functionality for you.
With so many options to choose from in today’s radio market, here are just some of the things we think you should consider:
- Durability: An outdoor radio often needs to withstand much tougher conditions than an indoor device. You need your outdoor radio and speakers to hold up to the occasional knock, bump, or splash.
- Waterproofing: You can’t always predict when the weather will turn. If you’re going to have a radio with you outdoors, make sure it’s protected when it begins to rain.
- Sound quality: Any great outdoor radio and speakers should sound fantastic. That means you need something that delivers plenty of volume, and good audio quality.
- Extra features: Do you want your outdoor radio to give you a portable party system? If so, look for a device that comes with features like flashing lights, microphone inputs and more.
- Versatility: If you’re never 100% sure where your next adventure might take you, be prepared for anything. Emergency radios like the HOLABABY NOAA weather radio offer peace of mind with multiple charging options and SOS alarms. This kind of radio will come in handy when you’re in a tight spot.
Finding the best outdoor radios
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing the best outdoor radio. It all depends on what you need most from your outdoor radio system.
Good luck finding the outdoor radio that’s right for you.
If you need help finding your next favorite piece of audio equipment, check out some of our other radio reviews here at Radio Fidelity.
Radio Fidelity: For the love of radio.
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