Sonos Outdoor Speakers: Everything You Need To Know
If you're looking to bring rich, detailed sound into your garden or outdoor space, the Sonos Outdoor Speakers by Sonance are one of the most reliable and well-integrated options out there.
Whether you're relaxing on the patio, hosting friends on the decking, or just want background music while gardening, a great outdoor speaker can completely transform the experience. And while Sonos already offers portable solutions like the Move 2 and Roam 2, this setup is for those who want something more permanent and more powerful.
The Sonos Outdoor Speakers are part of the Sonos Architectural Range, a series of passive speakers designed in collaboration with Sonance, one of the most trusted names in custom audio. Alongside in-ceiling and in-wall options, these outdoor models are engineered specifically for open-air listening and deliver a level of performance that no portable speaker can match.
Sonos had little experience in creating speakers fit for the outdoor environment, so they collaborated with one of the US’ largest and most prestigious outdoor speaker manufacturers, Sonance to produce a weatherproof speaker that can withstand humidity, water, salt-spray, heat and even UV rays and freezing temperatures - perfect for the UK’s unpredictable climate!
In contrast to indoor speakers that are designed for the sound to bounce off walls, the Sonos outdoor speakers have been custom-designed for an outdoor environment so they can throw the music further than a traditional wireless speaker.
The Sonos Outdoor Speakers are fully optimised for use with the Sonos Amp, so you’ll get the best possible performance without needing to worry about compatibility. Their components are perfectly matched to the Amp’s output, ensuring you get that signature Sonos sound quality in an open-air setting.
They’re sold as a stereo pair for £899 and include pivoting FastMount wall brackets, allowing you to direct the sound exactly where you want it.
Installation is flexible too. You can mount them flush against a wall, in a corner, under an eave, or even on a pole and the speakers can be positioned horizontally or vertically, depending on what works best for your space.
Each pair comes in white as standard, but the included grille is spray-paintable for a more customised finish. Just make sure you’re using a weatherproof outdoor spray paint, and always remove the grille before painting for the best result.
Read More: Best Sonos Outdoor Speaker Set-Ups
How to Set Up Sonos Outdoor Speakers
As the Sonos outdoor speakers are passive, they require an external amplifier to power them via speaker cable. You can power them with any traditional amplifier, but they have been designed to work seamlessly with the Sonos Amp for an authentic Sonos experience.
Similar to how you would wire ceiling speakers to an amplifier, you would wire these up using dedicated speaker cable running from the speakers themselves to the Amp. Do bear in mind, that outdoor speaker cable should be used to provide the best protection.
You can even wire more than one pair of these outdoor speakers to a single Sonos Amp (up to 3 pairs in fact), should you wish to get audio to more than one area of your garden.
We would recommend positioning your Sonos Amp in a garage or in a cupboard that runs along an exterior wall for easy access to the Sonos outdoor speakers and a shorter cable run, saving you cash.
Just ensure your Amp is in an area where it can receive a WiFi signal as the instructions you send on the Sonos App will be sent to the Sonos Amp as opposed to the outdoor speakers.
Controlling Sonos Outdoor Speakers
Once your outdoor speakers have been connected to Sonos, you’ll be able to listen to your favourite music streaming services from your phone or tablet, whether that’s via Spotify Connect, Airplay 2, or the Sonos app itself which has dozens of popular music and radio services built-in.
Your speakers will appear in the Sonos app as a dedicated outdoor zone, so you can group them with your indoor speakers or keep them separate, depending on how you want to listen. It’s a flexible setup that has the potential to grow with your space.
And if you already use a smart speaker like an Amazon Echo or Google Nest Mini indoors, you can add voice control into the mix too. Just make sure your Sonos system is properly set up and linked to your chosen voice assistant via the app. Then you can simply ask to play music in the garden and enjoy hands-free control, no matter where you are in the house.
Are Sonos Outdoor Speakers Worth It?
If you’re after a permanent, high-quality outdoor audio setup, the Sonos Outdoor Speakers by Sonance are a fantastic option. They offer clear, powerful sound that’s built to last, making your garden, patio, or terrace an even better place to relax or entertain.
By teaming up with Sonance, Sonos has created an outdoor speaker that not only withstands the elements but also integrates seamlessly with the Sonos multi-room ecosystem. That means easy streaming, flexible control, and the same premium audio experience you expect indoors... outside.
It’s definitely a premium solution. At £1,598 for the entire Amp & Speaker bundle, this isn’t the cheapest route to outdoor sound. But if you're looking for something that's built to perform and designed for longevity, we think the value more than justifies the investment.
Sonos Outdoor Speaker Alternatives
If you’re on a budget but still want to take advantage of the Sonos ecosystem, then we have the perfect alternative for you.
The Bowers & Wilkins AM-1s at £679 a pair are amongst the most popular outdoor speakers used by our install team, and they look similar in design to the Sonos outdoor speakers.
Produced by one of England’s most loved audio brands Bowers & Wilkins, the AM-1s produce top-notch sound, expected from speakers much higher than this price bracket.
They are completely weatherproof, and the material of their cabinet is resistant enough so they will look the same as when you bought them.
They also come with a colour choice of black or white to suit your outdoor aesthetics.
Bowers & Wilkins engineers have designed a clever auxiliary bass radiator to give extra low-end punch over background noise such as rain or noise from neighbours. We've been left impressed with the AM-1s and certainly gave the Sonos outdoor speakers a run for their money.
Quick links
Sonos Amp & Outdoor Speakers Bundle >>
Bowers & Wilkins AM-1 Outdoor speakers>>
Sonos Amp & Bowers & Wilkins AM-1 Bundle >>
Get in touch!
Are you looking to install some speakers in your garden? Get in touch and speak to one of our specialists who can give you personal advice to get the most out of them.
