For tailgating, you need a great speaker that delivers robust sound quality and can withstand outdoor conditions. High volume output, deep bass, and clear treble are essential for cutting through the noise at a tailgate party. Look for speakers with long battery life, ideally over 9 hours, and rugged build quality, including water resistance, to ensure they handle the elements and keep the party going strong.
We reviewed over 100 Bluetooth speakers and analyzed 1,149,542 reviews to find the top 5 for our buying guide. Our unique approach certifies products as tested and uses Trust Score to filter out fake reviews. A striking 92% of experts failed due to unreliable reviews. These winning speakers excelled, delivering impressive performance in various conditions.
How Did We Rank the Best Tailgate Speakers?
Analyzing over 200 websites, we crafted the definitive buying guide for tailgate speakers. We assessed various testing methods, scrutinized customer reviews, and considered expert opinions to identify 2 key test results, 1 desirable feature, and 1 must-have specification. Our True Score system translates these findings into an authoritative buying guide. Choose the best tailgate speaker with confidence, backed by our thorough research. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.
?️ Minimum Specifications
- Must be a tailgate speaker
? Test Criteria
- Battery Life: At least 9 hours is the time the Bluetooth speaker can play before the battery needs recharging.
- Volume Output: The speaker should deliver powerful and immersive sound performance, exceeding 85 decibels in volume output.
? “Nice To Haves”
- Low-End Roll-Off: A low-end roll-off of <60 Hz to ensure there is some rumble in the bass to enhance your music-listening experience.
Latest Updates
- 04/14/2024: Published the list of best tailgate speakers based on our True Score system.
Top Tailgate Speakers For 2024
Prices accurate at the time of publishing
To snag a spot on our list, tailgate speakers must meet our stringent criteria for audio performance and quality. If it doesn’t meet these standards, it won’t be featured!
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Sony XP700
Ideal for tailgate fans seeking volume without the premium price, the Sony XP700 offers robust sound and versatility for both outdoor and indoor settings.
True Score
82814Experts
923kCustomers
Absolutely Fresh
$548.00Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Outstanding bass depth
- Loud max volume
- Water-resistant
- Multi-device connectivity
- Long battery life
Reasons to Avoid
- No voice assistant/speakerphone functionality
- No WiFi connectivity
- Not as portable
Specifications
Battery Life 25 hrs Built In Microphone n/a Charge Time 3 hrs Size 27.28″ (h) x 12.32″ (w) x 14.44″ (d) Smart App Yes Speaker Pairing Yes Water Resistant Yes Wattage 110W Wireless Range 30 m All Specs
Test Results
Battery Life (Hours) 17 Volume Output (dB) 99 Low End Roll Off (Hz) 64 High End Roll Off (Hz) 10.1k All Retailers
- $548.00
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes - $548.00
Availability
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No - $548.00
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In StockFree Shipping
- $549.99
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes
Our Verdict
For tailgate enthusiasts who prioritize loudness but don’t want to pay for the most premium model on our list, the Sony XP700 is a solid Bluetooth tailgate speaker thanks to its commendable performance. Its volume output of 99 dB, only surpassed by the Bose S1 Pro+, makes it a strong contender, providing ample sound to fill outdoor spaces and compete with ambient noises at gatherings.
Despite having the most limited frequency range among its peers, the Sony XP700’s audio spectrum still impresses. Its low-end roll-off of 64.42 Hz provides solid bass without overwhelming the mix. While its high frequencies reach up to 10093.19 Hz—less expansive compared to the JBL Boombox 3’s 15342.66 Hz—it still offers crisp and distinct mid-tones. The highs might lack clarity, but this does not detract from the speaker’s ability to deliver a well-rounded and harmonious auditory experience across diverse music styles.
With a solid 17-hour battery life and a broad 102-meter wireless range, the Sony XP700 ensures seamless outdoor audio enjoyment. Its IPx4 water resistance shields it against splashes, making it suited for outdoor use. However, at 37 pounds, it’s more suited to fixed outdoor settings than constant movement, despite its portability.
The Sony XP700 shines with its versatility and durability. It offers solid battery life that’s perfect for a range of outdoor activities. Its powerful sound also makes it a great fit for indoor settings, whether for personal listening or lively parties. Thus, it is an excellent choice for anyone searching for a dependable Bluetooth speaker for outdoor and indoor use.
Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Tailgate Speakers?
By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 1 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these Bluetooth speakers and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a Bluetooth speaker that is right for you.
CRITERIA | RANGE | REQUIRED | DEFINITION |
---|---|---|---|
Volume Output (dB) | > 91 dB | Yes | The maximum volume that a Bluetooth speaker is able to output when turned to max. |
Battery Life (Hours) | > 9 Hr | Yes | The length of time a Bluetooth speaker can play before the battery goes flat. |
Low End Roll Off (Hz) | < 60 Hz | No (nice to have) | The point at which bass response starts to fall sharply, causing it to rapidly become inaudible. |
Our Trusted Data Sources
We looked at 50+ Bluetooth speaker reviewers and only 9 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for Bluetooth speakers.
- Becca Fischer – Rtings, MuckRack
- Michelle Powell – TechGearLab, MuckRack
- Brent Butterworth – Wirecutter, MuckRack, LinkedIn
Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every Bluetooth speaker review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.
Bluetooth Speaker Test Data & Results
1. Volume Output Test Results
Maximum volume is the most straightforward test to grasp when it comes to Bluetooth speakers: it simply refers to the loudest level at which the speaker can play. However, the importance of having a high maximum volume might not be immediately obvious. Beyond the ability to fill rooms with sound or serve as party speakers, higher maximum volumes play a crucial role in ensuring audio clarity at typical listening volumes.
This concept is known as “headroom.” Adequate headroom in a Bluetooth speaker means it can reproduce sounds at a level that is both loud enough and clear enough, ensuring that your usual listening levels for music or podcasts are crisp and free from distortion. Your Bluetooth speaker should have a minimum of 85 dB of maximum volume, but 91 dB or even higher is ideal. The higher the maximum volume, the better the speaker is at delivering sound that can fill increasingly large spaces without sacrificing sound quality.
Volume Output
>91 dB
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: The maximum volume that a Bluetooth speaker can hit at 100%.
Units of Measurement: dB (Decibels)
Tools to Measure: Sound level or decibel meter
Why It’s Important:
Max volume is how you ensure you’ve got enough volume to hear your music at a party without audio becoming heavily distorted.
Volume Output (in dB; higher is better)
2. Battery Life Test Results
Battery Life
> 9 Hours
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: The amount of time speakers can play before the battery dies.
Units of Measurement: Hours
Tools to Measure: Timer
Why It’s Important:
Battery life is what keeps your speaker going when you’re out and about, otherwise your speaker can’t survive heavy usage in a day or a weekend.
Your Bluetooth speakers are more than likely going to be battery powered. They might not run solely on battery power, but it is more common than not for Bluetooth speakers to be able to play without being plugged into a wall. That means, you’ll want your speaker to be able to play for as long as possible without having to be plugged in to charge, so even if you forget your charging cable, you’re not shackled to 4 hours of play time.
It’s for this reason that we recommend that Bluetooth speakers have at least 9 hours of playtime – enough to get you through a full day of playing your speakers. That said, there’s no upper limit to battery life – the more you can get “under your belt”, the better. If your speaker can deliver more than 17 hours of battery life on a single charge, you’ve got more than enough for two days and change, which is plenty of time to remember you need to plug the speaker in.
Battery Life (in hours; higher is better)
3. Low End Roll Off Test Results
The low-end roll off is key in determining how deep the bass on your Bluetooth speaker will sound. A Bluetooth speaker with a roll off that doesn’t start at a sufficiently low frequency leads to bass that sounds weak or is missing entirely, which makes music sound weak. Essentially, the deeper the bass can extend before rolling off, the more robust the sound.
For the majority of Bluetooth speakers and typical usage scenarios, aiming for a roll off that begins no higher than 60 Hz is advisable. However, the lower the frequency where roll off begins, the better the bass experience. It’s important to understand that there’s a limit to how low the roll off can go, so expecting Bluetooth speakers to achieve roll off points in the teens might be unrealistic. It’s also important to remember that Bluetooth speakers don’t have subwoofers and are also generally small, which limits how deep their bass can get.
Low End Roll Off
< 60 Hz
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: The point at which bass begins to sharply decline and becomes rapidly inaudible.
Units of Measurement: Hz (Hertz)
Tools to Measure: Oscilloscope
Why It’s Important:
If bass takes longer to start rolling off, it’ll generally be more present in your speaker’s output, which will give music much more “punch” and depth.
Low End Roll Off (in Hz; lower is better)
Best Tailgate Speakers: Mistakes To Avoid
- Underestimating Power and Volume: Tailgate parties often involve large crowds and outdoor settings, so choosing a speaker with sufficient power and volume to fill the space is crucial. Much like when searching for the loudest Bluetooth speakers, avoid selecting speakers with low wattage or output that may struggle to produce loud, clear sound in noisy environments.
- Ignoring Portability: Tailgate speakers, like the top party speakers, should be easy to transport and set up at various outdoor locations. Avoid bulky or heavy speakers that are difficult to carry or maneuver, especially if you need to move them frequently between your vehicle and the tailgate area. Look for compact, lightweight speakers with built-in handles or carrying straps for added portability.
- Neglecting Durability: Outdoor gatherings expose speakers to potential hazards like dust, moisture, and accidental bumps or drops. Avoid choosing outdoor Bluetooth speakers with fragile construction or inadequate protection against the elements. Opt for models with rugged, weatherproof designs that can withstand outdoor conditions and rough handling.
- Not Considering Connectivity Options: Tailgate speakers should offer versatile connectivity options to accommodate different audio sources and devices. Avoid speakers with limited connectivity or outdated connection methods. Look for models that support Bluetooth, AUX-in, USB, and SD card inputs for seamless integration with smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, and other devices. If you need a new cable, we have a list of the best aux cables to ensure you have a reliable connection for all your audio needs.
The Best Tailgate Speakers Tests Compared
Product | True Score
|
Battery Life
|
Volume Output
|
Low End Roll Off
|
High End Roll Off
| |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 |
|
|
|
| $149.99 $200 $50 |
| 84 |
|
|
|
| $349.95 $400 $50 |
| 83 |
|
|
|
| $699.00 |
| 82 |
|
|
|
| $426.99 $550 $123 |
82 |
|
|
|
| $548.00 |