The 9 Best Speakers For Tailgating

video play icon

This wiki has been updated 21 times since it was first published in January of 2019. For many, the tailgate party is more fun than the actual game, so it is important to let them rock out hard with some great speakers. All of the items on this list are built tough to withstand the harsh elements outdoor parties are often subjected to, as well as getting knocked over by drunken merrymakers. We've made sure to include models of various sizes and capabilities for any budget. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.

1. Altec Lansing Xpedition 850

2. Ecoxgear EcoTrek

3. Soundboks 3rd Generation

Editor's Notes

January 12, 2021:

In our mind, any speaker that is going to be used outdoors should be water resistant. The last thing you want to worry about if the skies open up and everyone is running for cover is also having to grab and lug a big speaker somewhere safe. Because of that we chose to eliminate a few previously recommended models', including the purpose-named Ion Audio Tailgater Plus. In addition to water resistance, we looked for rugged builds that can withstand a few bumps and bruises, which is something that every model here boasts. We also made sure to replace any outdated options with their newer iteration, such as the Soundboks 2, which was usurped by the Soundboks 3rd Generation. Generally speaking, we realize most people want big, booming speakers for tailgate parties, however some people may just be enjoying pre-gaming with their family and a few friends. For those individuals, we included the JBL Boombox, which is lighter and more compact than most of the other options we have recommended, and hence, easier to transport and store.

January 26, 2019:

When selection the best tailgating speakers we strived to find the best balance of a lot of different features. While sound quality always takes center stage when choosing speakers, we also felt it was important to consider things like durability, battery life, portability, and the ability to withstand constant exposure to the elements.

4. Ecoxgear EcoBoulder Max

5. JBL Boombox

6. Ion Pathfinder 4

7. Ion Audio Raptor

8. Monster Rockin' Roller 270

9. Tunes2Go KoolMax


Brett Dvoretz
Last updated by Brett Dvoretz

A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.


Thanks for reading the fine print. About the Wiki: We don't accept sponsorships, free goods, samples, promotional products, or other benefits from any of the product brands featured on this page, except in cases where those brands are manufactured by the retailer to which we are linking. For more information on our rankings, please read about us, linked below. The Wiki is a participant in associate programs from Amazon, Walmart, Ebay, Target, and others, and may earn advertising fees when you use our links to these websites. These fees will not increase your purchase price, which will be the same as any direct visitor to the merchant’s website. If you believe that your product should be included in this review, you may contact us, but we cannot guarantee a response, even if you send us flowers.