Renewable energy is a way of the future, and everything from the best outdoor smartwatches to the best motion lights uses solar technology to reduce electricity use. Audio fans aren’t left out, and the best solar-powered speakers extend your listening enjoyment while incorporating handy features like Bluetooth and LED lighting. Best of all, they don’t need power sockets to charge, making them handy for spending a day at the beach or in the woods without electricity.
Most solar speakers are geared toward the outdoors and have at least some form of water resistance, so there’s no worrying about rain spoiling your fun.
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Most solar speakers are geared toward the outdoors and have at least some form of water resistance, so there’s no worrying about rain spoiling your fun. From traditional speakers to multi-functional options, these are our picks for the best solar-powered audio outputs today, including a standout option from Urbanista that takes design and function to the next level with its stylish yet practical design.
Best solar-powered speakers: Our best picks
ABFOCE Solar Bluetooth Speaker
1. Best solar-powered speaker overall
Soaks up the sun and can withstand the rain
The Abfoce Solar Bluetooth Speaker is reasonably priced and includes dual speakers and multiple connectivity options. It also has shock and water resistance to withstand the elements and emergency LEDs.
- Excellent price
- Pairs with similar models
- Includes emergency LEDS
- Always starts at the highest volume
- Aggressive low-battery reminder
The Abfoce Solar Bluetooth speaker tops our list for its practical feature set and reasonable price. The sound is courtesy of the dual 20-watt speakers, which provide up to ten hours of playtime at 50% volume. The 5,000mAh battery only takes 30 minutes of solar charging to get 30 minutes of playback, and it can also be used as a power bank to charge your new iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
27 LEDs that work as a flashlight for low-light conditions or as an SOS beacon in the case of emergencies.
Versatility is the name of the game with the Abfoce speaker, and you can connect nearly any device to it with multiple connectivity options, like Bluetooth, a 3.5-millimeter jack, and a memory card slot. You can also connect two similar speakers wirelessly to double the output during a party or barbecue. Using it outdoors isn’t an issue because it has a sturdy black plastic body with IPX7 waterproofing and shock and drop resistance. There are even 27 LEDs that work as a flashlight for low-light conditions or as an SOS beacon in the case of emergencies.
It may sound a bit nitpicky, but it would be nice if the speaker didn’t start on the highest volume setting and the low-battery warnings weren’t so aggressive. Otherwise, the Abfoce speakers’ reasonable price and robust feature set make them a must-have for road trips and outdoor adventures.
Urbanista Malibu
2. Best premium solar-powered speaker
We can’t wait to get our hands on it again
The Urbanista Malibu offers great sound in a stylish package with a discrete solar panel. Its water and dust resistance make it perfect for outdoor adventures.
- IP67 rating
- Directly pairs with similar speakers
- Discrete solar panel
Most solar speakers lose points in the style category because there’s a panel stuck somewhere. Urbanista’s Malibu takes an even stealthier approach with a discrete panel with modern Powerfoyle solar cell technology color-coded to match the sleek exterior. There are no sharp edges or straight lines, and the Malibu has a futuristic minimalist design with a rounded cheese wheel-like appearance in Desert Gray or Midnight Black. Its convenient size and lanyard make it perfect for taking picnics and camping trips, and there’s an IP67 rating protecting it from water and dust.
Urbanista Malibu hands on: Fun in the sun
I had a listen to the Bluetooth speaker that potentially never needs charging, provided you have enough sunlight.
Checking the solar charge input or adjusting the settings is easy with the Ubanista app. You can also use the volume control, play, and stop buttons on the speaker’s rim to align with the clean aesthetic. If you have two Malibu speakers and need more power, you can tether them wirelessly without the app for double the fun at parties or other events.
The Malibu’s stunning looks and app controls elevate it above much of the competition, but it doesn’t come cheap. It’s still an unashamedly premium offering and one of the few to offer efficient solar charging and booming sound without hinting about its capabilities.
G Keni Retro Shortwave Radio
3. Best solar-powered speaker for value
Soaks up the sun for less
The G Keni Retro Radio is feature-packed, considering its low price, and includes Bluetooth, USB, and memory card inputs. It also has a built-in flashlight for emergencies.
- Retro styling with modern features
- AM/FM radio with AUX, USB, Bluetooth, and memory card input
- Includes an emergency light
- Cheesy X-Bass logo
- Lengthy solar charging time
The G Keni Retro Shortwave Radio is a feature-packed device offering superb value with its enormous bag of tricks. For starters, it has a retro design complete with a big tuning knob and wood grain finish and adds a modern twist with Bluetooth connectivity and more. It can play AM, FM, and SW radio bands thanks to its retractable antenna, and there’s an AUX port and memory card reader as alternative input types.
On the back of this radio is a foldable solar panel to charge the 1,200mAh battery, or you can use a USB cable or two DC-1.5 volt batteries if there’s no sunshine. Solar is the most efficient option, but it can take around seven to nine hours for a full charge compared to the four to six hours with a USB cable.
There’s no doubt about the G Keni Retro’s unique looks and practicality, but it’s let down by its lengthy solar charging time and cheesy X-Bass logo. You still can’t go wrong considering the functions and price, and it’s worth it for the novelty factor alone if you want something different.
Pohopa Bluetooth Speakers
4. Best design solar-powered speaker
Powered by and provides light, along with fantastic sound
Pohopa’s Bluetooth speakers look like lanterns with LED lighting but include Bluetooth speakers and solar charging. They are perfect for setting the mood in gazebos and gardens when guests are over.
- Stylish design
- Built-in LEDs
- Multiple connectivity options
- Don’t come cheap
- Aren’t portable
It can be argued that the best speakers are the ones you hear but never see. That’s certainly the case with Pohopa’s Bluetooth speakers, which are almost invisible because they’re masquerading as lamps. Each set contains two 20-watt speakers, which pair together for a stereo audio experience. They’re also easy to use with Bluetooth or a 3.5-millimeter cable and automatically link up on startup without requiring manual input.
These solar-powered speakers are perfect for garden paths or hanging in gazebos with their subtle styling.
They provide the perfect ambiance for romantic evenings or game nights with twenty LEDs and three-inch cone subwoofers in each. These solar-powered speakers are perfect for garden paths or hanging in gazebos with their subtle styling. You can use a USB-C cable or solar to charge the 4,400mAh battery, which lasts around 18 hours on a full charge at 70% volume with the LEDs on.
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The Pohopa speakers’ discrete and elegant design allows them to stand out from the competition, but they aren’t the most portable and are better left in a fixed position. They’re pricier than most rivals, too, but still offer excellence, thanks to their stereo sound and stunning lighting.
Alpine Corporation Waterproof Bluetooth Rock Speaker
5. Best solar-powered outdoor speaker
Blends right into your outdoor landscape
$70 $198 Save $128
The Alpine rock speaker is ideal for pool parties and other outdoor functions because of its durability. Bluetooth eliminates the need for cables, and a built-in solar panel conveniently charges the speaker in the sun.
- Blends in with the scenery
- Durable resin construction
- Waterproof
- No IP rating
- Can’t pair with other similar speakers
No solar power speaker list is complete without at least one rock speaker because of their popularity for pool parties, barbecues, and other outdoor events. Alpine Corporation’s Bluetooth rock speakers are one of the best options if you’re looking for great sound in a discrete package that most people won’t notice while partying the whole night. As its name implies, the rock speaker is designed to blend in with its surroundings and look like an actual rock in brown or gray resin construction, providing some waterproofing.
Designed to blend in with its surroundings and look like an actual rock in brown or gray resin construction, providing some waterproofing.
Performance-wise, it connects to everything from the latest iPhone 15 to older Android devices via Bluetooth with a decent 15-meter range. The 12 hours of playtime should get you through most events, and it’s easy to charge via the micro-USB connection or solar panel on the rear.
While the Alpine speaker’s wireless connectivity makes it perfect for indoor or outdoor use, there’s no way to pair two similar speakers together. The resin provides a certain degree of waterproofing, but it’s best not to get it wet because there’s no official IP rating. Despite its flaws, the Alpine Rock speaker is a brilliant choice for outdoor functions and is often available with massive savings to sweeten the deal.
Libovgogo DF-585 Emergency Camping Lantern
6. Best solar-powered speaker for camping
Multi-functional and rugged
$70 $89 Save $19
The LibovgogoDF-585 emergency lantern is perfect for camping trips and emergencies because there’s no electricity required to access its flashlight, speaker, and power bank functions.
- Carry handle and three lighting modes
- IP65 rating
- SOS alarm
- Dim flashlight
- Takes a while to charge using the hand crank
It’s worth having a portable yet rugged multifunction speaker for camping trips and emergencies because it’ll never run out of power when you need sound or light. Libovgogo’s DF-585 emergency lantern has enough tricks up its sleeve to keep you covered in any conditions. As a Bluetooth speaker, it has a pair of seven-watt speakers and AM/FM radio functionality. Changing the volume or skipping tracks is easy with physical buttons, and there’s a bright LED display to display the battery level and more.
The features don’t end there, and the Libovgogo includes a bright 360-degree lamp with a 30-meter range and red and blue lights for SOS scenarios. It also offers multiple charging methods with USB-C, solar, and a built-in hand crank to ensure you’ll never run out of power. There’s no worrying about it getting damaged in the rain with IPX5 water resistance, and the long-lasting 5,000mAh battery doubles as a power pack to charge your phone or tablet with a USB-A port.
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This versatile lantern is a must-have for adventurous people because it ensures they’ll have lights, music, and the ability to charge their phones wherever they go. The flashlight isn’t the brightest, and it takes a long time to get to a full charge with the hand crank, but it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind during power cuts, hurricanes, or fishing trips.
ABFOCE Magnetic Bluetooth Speaker
7. Best utility solar-powered speaker
Sound and light show
The Abfoce Magnetic Bluetooth Speaker offers vivid lighting to get the party started. It is ideal for indoor or outdoor use, with an IPX6 rating and magnetic mounting system.
- Magnet attachment
- IPX6 rating
- Built-in lighting
- Tiny instruction manual
- Not the strongest bass
The Magnetic Bluetooth Speaker from Abfoce is ideal for everything from camping to poolside parties because of its sound quality, lighting, and magnetic mounting system. Its cylindrical shape fits into most backpacks and includes a sturdy magnet that easily attaches to golf carts, fridges, poles, or other metal surfaces. You won’t have to worry about it getting damaged on your adventures because it has IPX6 water and dust resistance to protect it from the elements.
Getting the party started and creating a fun atmosphere is easy with the vivid lighting in colors like red, blue, and green, and there are seven lighting modes to mix things up. The sound quality is decent thanks to the 20W built-in speaker, and the 5,000mAh battery provides a decent 30 hours of playtime, and is easily recharged by the sun when it runs out of juice.
The JBL Pulse 5 has its own lightshow, and is my portable party starter
This speaker sets the mood with lights and music.
Solar speakers don’t need to be boring, and the Abfoce speaker is the best option if you want to put on an audio and light show anywhere. Its magnet and IPX6 rating make it ideal for indoor or outdoor use, and the bright colors should put a smile on most faces when the music kicks in.
MPOWERD Luci Explore Solar Light and Speaker
8. Best solar-powered speakers with lighting
Lightweight and light-powered
$34 $75 Save $41
The MPOWERD Luci Explore is excellent for kids or anyone needing vivid lighting because it can shine in nearly any color via an App. It also has a built-in speaker and a power bank to charge phones and tablets.
- App-controlled lighting in any color
- Portable enough to go anywhere
- Light, speaker, and phone charger in one
- Lengthy solar charging time
- No mounting system
The Mpowerd Luci Explore light and speaker offers vivid, multicolored lighting for any condition and allows you to enjoy your music on the go. This 220-lumen light is packed with LEDs, and you can change the color to white, blue, red, or anything you like with the Nifty app. The app also allows you to adjust the brightness, pair multiple speakers, or check the battery life. Speaking of the battery, it can charge with a standard USB-A cable or solar and offers around 24 hours of playtime from a full charge.
The perfect speaker and light combo for kids’ slumber parties or camping trips, and it comes with IP67 water resistance…
There’s also a built-in USB port to charge your phone in a pinch, and it works as a Bluetooth speaker to enjoy your music anywhere. You can’t expect booming bass, but it gets the job done and is ideal for light music or podcasts. This is the perfect speaker and light combo for kids’ slumber parties or camping trips, and it comes with IP67 water resistance, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to one meter of water without taking any damage.
With a compact yet versatile design and intuitive app controls, the Luci Explore can go anywhere to provide hours of music and lighting. It could be better if it had a mounting system and if it didn’t take up to a day to fully charge using solar. Still, the pros outweigh the cons, making the Luci Explore a practical and fun device for your adventures.
The bottom line: Which is the best solar-powered speaker?
The Aboface Solar Bluetooth speaker is the best option because it’s reasonably priced, works as a powerful lantern and power bank, and provides good sound from its dual speakers. Urbanista’s Malibu is the best option if you prefer something upmarket and stylish with impressive sound and IP67 waterproofing. If you’re looking for the best value, the G Keni Retro has retro styling with Bluetooth, USB, and memory card options and a handy light for emergencies.
ABFOCE Solar Bluetooth Speaker
Editor’s Choice
How did we choose the best solar-powered speakers?
Solar-powered speakers differ from most other product categories because they come in wildly varying shapes, sizes, and specs, making it challenging to compare them like-for-like. To try and keep it fair, we judged them based on their sound quality, price, and other utilities. All our picks have acceptable sound quality for their price and designated use and include Bluetooth to work with most phones, tablets, and other devices.
Price is always a great way to level the playing field. For this list, we tried to include multiple price points to appeal to most budgets while insisting that you get what you pay for, if not more, regarding value. Some have durable construction to withstand the elements, while others add emergency lights, power bank capabilities, and other features to increase practicality. We tried to keep things balanced by including options with handy features and adding some that don’t need any extras and work just as well as just a speaker only.
FAQ
Q: Are there actually good solar-powered speakers on the market?
Yes, various solar speakers are currently available, like the Urbanista Malibu, Libovgogo DF-585, and Mpowered Luci Explore, which charge using the sun’s power. We recommend the eight picks on our list for your various solar-powered speaker needs.
Q: How does a solar-powered speaker work?
The silicon cells on the solar panel convert sunlight into electricity to power the speaker. Most solar speakers include a secondary cable charging system for when there’s no sunlight.
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