Best solar powered speakers: Never run out of music

Renewable energy is a way to conserve the planet for future generations, and these days, 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 connectivity and LED lighting. Best of all, they don’t need power sockets to charge, making them excellent handy for spending a day at the beach or in the woods without electricity.

In fact, 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, and even headphones, these are our picks for the best solar-powered audio outputs on the market today, including an option from Urbanista you’ll want to look out for.

ABFOCE/Pocket-lint

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.

Pros

• Excellent price
• Pairs with similar models
• Includes emergency LEDS

Cons

• Always starts on the highest volume
• Aggressive low-battery reminder

The Aboface Solar Bluetooth speaker tops our list for its practical feature set and reasonable price. Sound is courtesy of the dual 20-watt speakers with up to ten hours of playtime at 50 per cent volume. It only takes 30 minutes of solar charging to get 30 minutes of playback from the 5,000mAh battery, which can also be used as a power bank to charge your new iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

Versatility is the name of the game with the Aboface speaker, and you can connect nearly any device to it with multiple connectivity options like Bluetooth, a 3.5-millimetre 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 if the low-battery warnings weren’t so aggressive. Otherwise, the Aboface speakers’ reasonable price and robust feature set make them a must-have for road trips and outdoor adventures.

Urbanista/ Pocket-lint

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. The only downside so far is that it’s currently only available for pre-order.

Pros

• IP67 rating
• Directly pairs with similar speakers
• Discrete solar panel

Cons

• Pricey
• Currently only available for pre-order

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 colour-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 Grey 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.

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. To take advantage of it’s superb sound and solar-power capabilities, be sure to pre-order now before the $149 unit officially goes on sale.

G Keni /Pocket-lint

G Keni Retro Shortwave Radio

3. Best solar-powered speakers for value

Soaks up 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.

Pros

• Retro styling with modern features
• AM/FM radio with AUX, USB, Bluetooth, and memory card input
• Includes an emergency light

Cons

• 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/Pocket-lint

Pohopa Bluetooth Speakers

4. Best design solar-powered speakers

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.

Pros

• Stylish design
• Built-in LEDs
• Multiple connectivity options

Cons

• 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-millimetre 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 also provide the perfect ambience for romantic evenings or game nights with twenty LEDs and three-inch cone subwoofers in each. 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 per cent volume with the LEDs on.

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 excellent thanks to their stereo sound and stunning lighting.

Alpine Corporation / Pocket-lint

Alpine Corporation Waterproof Bluetooth Rock Speaker

5. Best solar-powered outdoor speakers

Blends right into your outdoor scape

$70 $198 Save $128

The Alpine rock speaker is ideal for pool parties and other outdoor functions because of its durable resin design. There’s no need for cables with Bluetooth, and it can conveniently charge in the sun with a built-in solar panel.

Pros

• Blends in with the scenery
• Durable resin construction
• Waterproof

Cons

• 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 grey 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-metre 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 is perfect for indoor or outdoor use with its wireless connectivity, there’s no way to pair two similar speakers together. It’s also worth noting that 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.

MPOWERD Luci Explore Solar Light and Speaker

8. Best solar-powered speakers with lighting

Lightweight and light-powered

$67 $75 Save $8

The MPOWERD Luci Explore is great for kids or anyone else needing vivid lighting because it can shine in nearly any colour via an App. It also has a built-in speaker and works as a power bank to charge phones and tablets.