With nice weather comes outdoor gigs and events, and for these, you need a good PA system to ensure everything runs smoothly.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the nine best outdoor PA systems. From garden parties and busking sessions to pub beer gardens and small festivals, there’s something here to suit a range of events and budgets.
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a PA to use outdoors. Unlike indoor venues, open spaces don’t contain sound in the same way, so things like coverage, portability, power requirements, and battery life are all much more important.
As we go through each product, we’ll explain what makes it a good fit for outdoor use, along with the things you should consider before choosing a PA for your setup.
Let’s get into it…
In a hurry?
If you don’t have time to waste, here are our top three picks for outdoor PA systems.
| JBL EON ONE MK2 - Best all-rounder | A versatile battery-powered column PA that can handle everything from busking and speeches to weddings and small gigs. | Check the current price |
| SubZero L48B - Best value | A budget-friendly alternative to the JBL, offering a similar all-in-one battery-powered column PA design. | Check the current price |
| Electro-Voice Evolve 90 - Best for large events | A powerful column PA built for larger outdoor gigs, festival stages, and bigger audiences. | Check the current price |
Why we’ve chosen these PA systems
Using a PA outdoors comes with a different set of challenges than using one indoors. First off, you’re working in an open space, so sound has further to travel; plus, you may not always have easy access to mains power. On top of that, you’ll probably want something that’s quick to transport, simple to set up, and tough enough to handle being moved from one event to the next.
Every PA system in this guide has something that makes it particularly well suited to outdoor use. We’ve made sure to cover a good range of use cases. Some are battery-powered, giving you complete freedom to set up almost anywhere. Others are lightweight enough to carry in one trip, while larger column systems are designed to spread sound evenly across bigger spaces without taking up loads of room.
From busking in the town centre and making announcements at a community event to playing in a pub beer garden or running a small stage at a local festival, these are the PA systems we’d recommend looking at.
The best outdoor PA systems
1. JBL EON ONE MK2 Column PA System
Key features
- Battery-powered column PA system
- Built-in 5-channel digital mixer with DSP
- JBL Pro Connect app control
Pros
- Excellent all-round performance
- Packs away neatly for transport
- Great connectivity and onboard mixing
Cons
- More expensive than many portable PA systems
Think of the JBL EON ONE MK2 as a multi-tool. It isn’t built for one specific job: one weekend it could be used for busking, the next for a wedding or public speaking event, and then for a small outdoor gig.
Being battery-powered means the setup isn’t tied to a plug socket, while the column design helps spread sound across an outdoor space. It also has enough power for a wide range of events without becoming awkward to transport.
Another nice feature is that the column speakers and spacers pack neatly into the back of the subwoofer, so everything stays together between gigs. It only takes a few minutes to set up, too, which is always helpful when you’re on the move.
The built-in five-channel mixer gives you enough connections for microphones, instruments, and backing tracks. You can also control the mixer from the JBL Pro Connect app.
If you need one PA that can cover lots of different jobs, the EON ONE MK2 is ideal.
2. SubZero L48B Battery Powered Bluetooth Column DSP PA System
Key features
- Battery-powered column PA system
- Bluetooth audio streaming
- Built-in DSP presets
Pros
- Great value for money
- Battery powered
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- Less powerful than premium column systems
The SubZero L48B genuinely deserves a place on this list, especially if you’re looking for a battery-powered column PA without spending a fortune.
It’s designed to be quick to set up and easy to transport. It packs down into separate sections, so it doesn’t take up much room in the car, and being battery-powered means you aren’t tied to a plug socket.
Bluetooth is built in for streaming music, while the onboard DSP gives you a few different sound presets depending on what you’re using it for — great for keeping things simple when you just want to hear the music or this is your first PA system.
If the JBL EON ONE MK2 is a little outside your budget, we recommend the L48B as a more affordable alternative. It has a similar all-in-one approach; you don’t get quite the same level of refinement, but you do get a portable, battery-powered column PA that covers the basics really well.
3. Electro-Voice Evolve 90 Column PA System
Key features
- 2,000W column PA system
- 18-inch subwoofer
- Wide sound coverage
Pros
- Massive output
- Covers large outdoor spaces with ease
- Professional-grade sound
Cons
- Overkill for smaller events
The Electro-Voice Evolve 90 is the biggest system on this list, and with that comes a different use case. This isn’t something you’d take busking or use for a garden party. It’s designed for large outdoor events where you need plenty of volume and wide sound coverage.
You’ll need access to mains power, and you’re probably going to be running it alongside a full band or DJ setup with a proper mixing desk and the rest of your equipment. It’s a much bigger commitment than some of the battery-powered systems we’ve looked at so far.
What you get in return is a system that’s more than capable of covering a large audience. The 18-inch subwoofer delivers loads of low end, while the column array throws clear sound over a wide area without taking up loads of room on stage.
If you’re putting on a side stage at a local festival, a larger outdoor concert, or an event where you need serious sound reinforcement, this is exactly the sort of PA you should be looking at.
4. Bose S1 Pro+ Multi-Position Battery-Powered PA System
Key features
- Battery-powered portable PA
- Multi-position design
- Built-in wireless RF receivers
Pros
- Extremely portable
- Quick to set up
- Great for smaller outdoor events
Cons
- Not suited to larger crowds
If you just need something that’s easy to carry around, the Bose S1 Pro+ is a great option. It weighs just over 6kg, so it’s easy to throw in the car or carry to wherever you’re setting up.
One of the best things about the S1 Pro+ is how flexible it is. You can use it upright like a normal PA, lay it on its side as a floor monitor, or put it on a speaker stand. It’ll automatically adjust the sound depending on how it’s positioned, so you don’t have to mess around with settings.
It’s battery-powered, too, with Bluetooth connectivity for streaming music straight from your phone. If you use Bose’s wireless transmitters, you can connect microphones without running extra cables, which helps keep everything nice and tidy.
It isn’t the sort of PA you’d choose if you’re trying to cover a big outdoor crowd, and you should still keep it out of the rain. But if you want something portable that’s quick to set up and simple to use, we highly recommend the S1 Pro+. That’s why it’s featured in so many of our guides!
5. LD Systems MAUI 11 G3 Column PA System
Key features
- Slim column PA design
- Cardioid column technology
- Wide horizontal sound dispersion
Pros
- Clear, even sound coverage
- Easy to transport and set up
- Good feedback rejection
Cons
- Requires mains power
Once you start playing slightly bigger outdoor events, you’ll need a bit more power and projection from your speakers. A good suggestion for this is the LD Systems Maui 11 G3.
Rather than firing sound in one direction like a traditional speaker, the column design spreads it much more evenly across the audience. It also uses cardioid technology to reduce sound coming from the back of the speaker, helping keep stage volume under control and making it easier for performers to hear themselves.
Even though it’s a more capable system, it’s still easy enough to move around. The column packs down into separate sections and slots together in a couple of minutes — ideal if you’re regularly setting up at different venues.
Unlike some of the other systems on this list, the MAUI 11 G3 needs mains power, so it’s better suited to pub beer gardens and other outdoor events where electricity is already available.
6. Mackie GO Complete Battery-Powered PA System Bundle
Key features
- Fully battery-powered PA system
- Battery-powered mixer included
- Wireless Bluetooth connectivity
Pros
- Complete battery-powered setup
- Quick and easy to get running
- Ideal for events without mains power
Cons
- Best suited to smaller events
The Mackie GO Complete is a fully battery-powered PA system. Not just the speakers, but the subwoofers and mixer too.
The mixer gives you plenty of flexibility for microphones and music, while Bluetooth lets you stream audio straight from your phone or tablet. It’s also a tidy setup. Everything works really well together as one system — and if you’re new to PA systems, that’s a big advantage.
Like the other battery-powered options on this list, you’ll still want to keep it sheltered if the weather changes. But if mains power isn’t guaranteed, having both the speaker and mixer running on battery opens up a lot more possibilities.
7. Roland CUBE Street EX Battery-Powered Stereo Amplifier
Key features
- Battery-powered stereo amplifier
- Four independent input channels
- Lightweight and portable design
Pros
- Trusted by buskers for years
- Easy to carry between locations
- Great for solo performers
Cons
- Limited output for larger outdoor events
The Roland CUBE Street EX has been a favourite in the busking community for years. You’ve probably seen or heard one in your town centre without realising. It’s reliable and portable and does exactly what most solo performers need it to do.
This isn’t the most powerful speaker on this list, but if you’re singing with a guitar, keyboard, or backing tracks, it has more than enough to get your performance across to a small crowd. Additionally, it’s battery-powered and has a four-channel mixer, which allows good flexibility for plugging into a mic, instrument, and music source all at the same time. And it’s light enough to carry between locations.
For bigger outdoor events, there are better options on this list. But for busking, street performances and other smaller gigs, there’s a good reason the CUBE Street EX has stayed popular for so long.
8. Yamaha Stagepas 600BT Portable PA System
Key features
- Detachable powered mixer
- Bluetooth audio streaming
- Two-speaker portable PA system
Pros
- Great for bands
- Plenty of inputs
- Flexible speaker positioning
Cons
- More cables to manage than a column PA
The Yamaha Stagepas has been around for years, and it’s still a go-to for bands and acoustic acts. If you need a traditional PA with plenty of inputs and enough power for live music, it does exactly what you’d expect.
Unlike the column systems on this list, the Stagepas uses two passive speakers powered by the mixer. Because of this, you have more flexibility when positioning your speakers, but it also means you have speaker cables running from the mixer to each cabinet. This is definitely not ideal in wet conditions as powerful electrical currents flow through those cables, and for that reason, this system needs to be fully covered.
You’ll additionally want to consider that more cables mean more time setting up and packing away, and you’ll need to make sure they’re routed safely to avoid creating trip hazards. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s something the all-in-one column systems avoid by keeping everything contained within the speaker itself.
If you’ve got access to mains power and you’re putting on a small band or acoustic performance, the Stagepas is still a really capable option. Just bear in mind that it isn’t quite as quick or as tidy to set up as some of the newer column PA systems.
9. Soundboks 4 Bluetooth Speaker
Key features
- Battery-powered Bluetooth speaker
- Swappable rechargeable battery
- TeamUp wireless speaker linking
Pros
- Extremely loud
- Long battery life
- Built for outdoor use
Cons
- Better suited to music playback than full PA duties
The Soundboks 4 is a bit different to everything else on this list in that it’s not a traditional PA system. Instead, it’s a powerful Bluetooth speaker that can also handle microphones and instruments, making it a good option for more casual outdoor events.
If you’re putting on a casual event like a garden party or barbecue, this is a great choice. It’s incredibly loud for its size, the battery lasts for hours, and if you need more coverage, you can wirelessly link multiple Soundboks speakers together.
Unlike most of the other speakers we’ve looked at, the Soundboks 4 is built with outdoor use in mind. It has an IP65 rating, meaning it’s protected against dust and water jets, so it can cope much better with the sort of conditions you might encounter outside. That doesn’t mean you should leave it out in heavy rain, but it gives you a bit more peace of mind if the weather changes.
How to choose the right outdoor PA system for you
Hopefully, by now you’ve got a better idea of what’s out there, but the right one for you depends entirely on the sort of event you’re putting on. A speaker that’s perfect for busking isn’t necessarily going to cope with a live band, and a festival setup is probably overkill if you’re just hosting a garden party. So, the first thing to think about is how many people will be in the crowd or at the party.
Smaller battery-powered speakers are ideal for audiences of a few dozen people, while larger column systems can project much further and spread sound more evenly across bigger spaces. Power is another big one. If you don’t have access to mains electricity, you’ll need a battery-powered system. If you know you’ll have power available, you’ll have a much wider choice of systems.
You’ll also need to think about what you’re plugging in. A microphone and some backing tracks don’t need many inputs, but a full band soon starts to fill up a mixer with vocals and instruments. And if you do have a larger setup with more cables, be mindful of trip hazards and setup time.
How you actually get to the event should be a huge consideration. If you’re setting up on your own, you’ll probably need something lightweight, ideally a column PA, as this can save a lot of time compared to a traditional two-speaker setup.
And finally, don’t forget about the weather. Most PA systems aren’t waterproof, so have some form of cover nearby.
Let’s break it down by event
Small busking session
If you’re busking, portability is everything. You’ll probably be carrying your own gear, setting up on your own, and relying on battery power, so keeping things lightweight is key. The Roland CUBE Street EX is still one of the best options for solo performers, while the Bose S1 Pro+ provides a little more output.
Garden party or pub beer garden
For garden parties and smaller pub gigs, you’ll want something that can comfortably cover a decent-sized crowd without taking up loads of space. The JBL EON ONE MK2 and SubZero L48B are both good options. They’re quick to set up, easy to transport, and don’t leave you with cables running everywhere.
Small festival side stage
A side stage at a local festival needs something with a bit more behind it. You’ll probably have mains power available, so there’s less need to rely on batteries. The Electro-Voice Evolve 90 is built for this sort of job, while the LD Systems Maui 11 G3 is a good option for slightly smaller stages and audiences.
FAQs
Are outdoor PA speakers waterproof?
Most outdoor PA speakers are not waterproof. Unless a speaker has an IP rating of 65 or above, it should be kept under cover if it starts to rain.
Are battery-powered PA systems as powerful as mains-powered systems?
Battery-powered PA systems generally have power limitations compared to mains-powered systems. The higher you run the volume, the quicker the battery will drain, so while they’re perfect for many outdoor events, larger performances often benefit from a mains-powered setup.
What size PA system do I need for an outdoor event?
The size of PA system you need depends on the size of your audience and the type of event. A compact battery-powered speaker is enough for busking or public speaking, while larger crowds and live bands will need a more powerful PA with wider sound coverage.
Final thoughts
So there it is; we’ve covered the best outdoor PA systems for all sorts of events. Whether you’re busking in the town centre, hosting a garden party, or putting on a small festival, there’s a system here to suit your setup.
Hopefully this guide has helped you understand what you need and what to look out for. If you’d like to learn more, be sure to check out our other guides!
0 Comments