Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to fill a garden with sound. There are plenty of portable Bluetooth speakers around that require no installation and have long-lasting rechargeable batteries. Meanwhile, installed alternatives that get mounted to poles or the sides of one’s home are still around, and for good reason.
Choosing which to go with can be tricky, and it’s a process I’ve gone through myself. Several years back, I decided to upgrade my Polk Atrium 6 to the Polk Atrium 8 instead of switching to a Bluetooth speaker.
In this article, I’ll be comparing the most important things to consider when undecided between these two types of speakers and the trade-offs that come with each. After all, both are completely viable solutions.
Comparing Apples With Apples
Before diving into the comparison, it’s important to point out that every speaker model performs differently. For the sake of this article, I’m looking at the average performance of each speaker type rather than specific brands or models.
Installed Speakers
Portable Speakers
Installation / Setup Process
Winner: Portable Speakers
One of the biggest perks of portable speakers is that they require no installation. Just pick them up, put them down, and start jamming. Only if you’re using a multi-speaker setup will you need to go through additional steps like pairing or syncing.
Installed outdoor speakers, on the other hand, need to be mounted and wired to an amplifier or receiver. This can be done DIY, but many people prefer hiring professional installers, which means added cost and complexity.
While installed speakers can often be pivoted depending on the mount, once they’re in place, moving them takes more effort.
Maintenance
Winner: Portable Speakers
All speakers benefit from regular maintenance, but installed ones need a bit more attention, making portable speakers the better choice for those looking to avoid extra work around the garden.
For outdoor speakers, you’ll want to remove the grille and clean out any debris a couple of times a year. It’s also worth inspecting the connections for rust or dirt buildup, checking that the cabling is intact, and ensuring critters haven’t made a home inside the enclosure.
Since Bluetooth speakers are stored indoors most of the time, they need much less maintenance overall.
Weather-Resistance
Winner: Installed Speakers
Installed speakers are built to last for years—even decades. Many are rated to handle rain, fog, snow, and even saltwater exposure.
While this used to be a major point of difference, Bluetooth speakers have caught up quite a bit. IPX7, IP67, or IP68 ratings on modern portables offer solid protection from water and dust. That said, few portable models offer the same level of long-term durability, especially against saltwater exposure, which can take a toll over time.
So if you live near the ocean and plan on leaving your speaker outside for hours, an installed solution may last longer.
Connectivity (Bluetooth & Wi-Fi)
Winner: Installed Speakers
Bluetooth speakers obviously win when it comes to built-in Bluetooth support. Most installed speakers don’t have this feature natively. Then there’s also the conversation around whether to go with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth speakers aren’t easily upgradable. As Bluetooth versions improve over time, older models may become obsolete, which could mean needing to replace the entire speaker.
Installed speakers can benefit from future upgrades by swapping out the amplifier or receiver, upgrading your Bluetooth version, adding Wi-Fi, or integrating smart features without replacing the speakers themselves.
Smart Features
Winner: Installed Speakers
Smart home features—like multiroom audio or voice assistant compatibility—are much more common with systems that use amplifiers or receivers, which can be upgraded as needed.
Some Bluetooth speakers do support smart features, but they’re less common and more likely to become outdated as smart home ecosystems evolve.
With installed systems, you’re essentially future-proofing your setup by allowing the tech brains (receiver/amp) to evolve separately from the speakers.
Battery Life
Winner: It’s Complicated
Bluetooth speakers run on rechargeable batteries, giving them great portability, but also a limitation. If you forget to charge them, you’re out of luck. And while many promise long battery life, playing at high volume drains them faster.
Installed speakers don’t have this issue. They’re powered through cables connected to an amplifier or receiver, so as long as your power is on, the music doesn’t stop.
So the trade-off is clear: do you want a speaker that goes wherever you do, or one that never runs out of juice?
Volume, Coverage & Soundstage
Winner: Installed Speakers
Volume isn’t just about how loud a speaker gets—it’s also about how well it handles loud playback without distortion.
Installed speakers are typically more powerful because they’re driven by external amplifiers rather than built-in ones. While some portable Bluetooth speakers can get very loud (especially premium models), they often come with a much higher price tag to match that output.
Pro Tip: Look at both sensitivity (measured in dB) and power rating (watts) to get a sense of a speaker’s volume potential. A speaker with higher sensitivity will generally sound louder at the same wattage.
In terms of coverage, portable speakers usually deliver sound from a single point, so they can sound narrow. Installed stereo pairs allow for better coverage because you can angle them to project sound over a wider area. This stereo setup also gives them an advantage in soundstage.
Sound Quality
Winner: Installed Speakers
Let’s break sound quality into key parts: bass, midrange, and clarity/detail.
Bass
Speakers like the JBL PartyBox Ultimate or Soundboks 4 deliver massive bass, but they also cost over $1,000. That’s about double what a solid pair of outdoor speakers and an amp might cost.
Compare that to more modest Bluetooth speakers like the Charge 6 or Soundcore Boom 2, and the installed option will usually sound better, especially when you consider driver size. For example, a 6.5” woofer is generally going to produce deeper bass than a 5.25”.
Midrange
Midrange performance is often similar between the two types, as these frequencies don’t require large drivers. In either case, it’s worth checking reviews to see how a particular speaker handles vocals and instruments.
Clarity & Detail
This is where installed speakers tend to shine. Good dynamic range—the ability to distinguish subtle details in a song—is something Bluetooth speakers struggle with, especially due to limited driver setups and reliance on internal DSPs.
It’s the reason club speakers sound “full” while earbuds feel flat in comparison.
Versatility
Winner: Portable Speakers
There is barely any competition in terms of versatility. While installed outdoor speakers have a lot going for them, versatility isn’t one of their skill sets. Since they need to be installed in fixed positions, only marginal changes are possible, and that’s assuming the mounting system has some adjustable options to it.
Portable Bluetooth speakers, on the other hand, are incredibly versatile and can be used anywhere in the garden, inside the house, or even taken on trips. Making it an all-in-one solution.
Cost & Value
Winner: Installed Speakers
Portable Bluetooth speakers have a more affordable starting price, and you can expect to pay between $100 and $200 for a small portable speaker, or between $300 and $500 for larger portable speakers. The highest tier Bluetooth speakers can cost over $1000, but these come packed with features and often exceed the volume and bass provided by installed solutions.
Installed speakers retail for between $100 and $400, usually, or up to $1000 for high-end options. The amp or receiver is another investment you’ll need to make, and can range from $200 to $1000.
The initial costs are higher for installed outdoor speakers, but they can last for decades and ultimately save a lot of money in the long run. Bluetooth speakers are usually upgraded every 3 to 5 years, while installed speakers are replaced closer to once every 8 to 10 years.
Final Thoughts
Both portable and installed speakers can deliver awesome outdoor sound. If you value simplicity, portability, and minimal maintenance, Bluetooth speakers are a strong pick. But if you’re after higher performance, better durability, and long-term flexibility, installed speakers are hard to beat.
