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The 10 Best outdoor audio gear

Whether at a festival, barbecue or simply venturing out into your drizzle-soaked garden, a summer soundtrack is key...

Will Coldwell
Thursday 30 May 2013 16:36 BST
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1. Boombotix Street Speaker

Small enough to fit in your hand, this speaker is as portable as they come. You can clip it to your belt or pocket or even mount it to the handlebars of your bike. Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity it can be used completely wirelessly and charges by USB in about an hour. It also comes in a range of colours and "urban" styles.

£47.99, firebox.com

2. Jawbone Jambox

The coolest music player in the park. It's light, small enough to slip into your backpack and has a whacking great bass. Jawbone also does the bigger, rig-like Big Jambox, if you really want to get the party started.

£159.99/£259.99, eu.jawbone.com

3. Denon Cocoon Portable

A stylish portable speaker-system that packs a big sound. It has a five-hour battery life and a water-resistant cabinet for playing your tunes whether it's raining or shining. MP3 players can be connected via a retractable dock or wirelessly and you can even connect multiple Cocoons for a synchronised surround-sound experience.

£299, superfi.co.uk

4. iLuv MobiOut

A durable, splash-resistant speaker set that has a slick, stylish design and is perfect for festivals or barbecues in the park. The Bluetooth-compatible sound system works with iPod, iPhone and iPad and also includes an FM/AM radio.

£69.99, argos.co.uk

5. Tivoli Songbook

With its simple retro design and warm sound, this travel alarm clock and radio means you can bring high-fidelity sound with you wherever you are. The book-size, splashproof device fits easily into a briefcase and comes in a range of bright, block colours. It is compatible with iPods as well as other MP3 players.

£239, tivoliaudio.co.uk

6. Beats Pill

Dr Dre's Beats headphone brand has taken the music world by storm. The Beats Pill is, as they say, "just what the Dr ordered". The lightweight wireless and Bluetooth-enabled speaker has a small size but can fill a room with sound.

£169.95, beatsbydre.com

7. Sony ZS-BTY52

An old-school-looking digital boombox that combines retro styling with impressive technology. It connects via wireless streaming or Bluetooth and also features an FM/AM radio and "mega bass". It's a lot easier to carry round than an actual boombox, that's for sure.

£99, very.co.uk

8. Ruark Audio R1

According to What Hi-Fi?, "the R1 is the best performer in the DAB/FM radio category, regardless of price". High praise. It also has an iPod jack and comes with a chic black or tan leather carry case. The price includes a rechargeable battery pack for outdoor use.

£210, johnlewis.com

9. TDK Sound cube

One small box, two powerful coaxial drivers and a big sound. The aesthetically appealing Sound Cube, with its smooth, vintage look, should satisfy hi-fi lovers looking for a portable speaker that doesn't compromise on audio quality.

£163.94, play.com

10. Wowee One

An ultra-slim Bluetooth speaker that's small enough to fit in your pocket. The compact sound system packs in up to 20 hours of battery life and is compatible with iPod, iPad and all mobile phones.

£49.99, wowee.com

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