A peaceful outdoor setting with music is a perfect recipe for unwinding and releasing daily routine stress. A good solar-powered outdoor speaker can enhance your experience multifold while you still have the satisfaction of using environmentally friendly equipment. When you are shopping for your outdoor solar-powered speakers, there are some factors that you must consider, including the size, battery life, charging options, Bluetooth connectivity, etc. Let's move on and see what a solar-powered outdoor speaker is; there are better alternatives like the Jackery solar generators and how it works.
What Is A Solar Powered Outdoor Speaker
This is obvious by the name that they are outdoor speakers, and they run using solar power. Other details are that they mostly use Bluetooth functionality, while others offer wi-fi connection, memory card slots, USB ports, and FM radio options. These outdoor speakers have batteries that you charge using solar panels, while some can also charge using AC outlets.
Solar-powered outdoor speakers have solar panel cells on the surface, which receive sunlight and convert solar energy into electricity. They store this electricity in the batteries and use it.
A good solar-powered outdoor speaker should also have an option of AC outlet charging along with solar charging so that you can still use it when the sun is not bright enough and also on cloudy and rainy days. It is also a point to note that if you are camping or enjoying a picnic on the beach, AC-powered charging is not a feasible option.
Since we are talking about outdoor solar-powered speakers, the durability and sturdy build of the casing are also important. Fragile and water-sensitive equipment is not a good choice outdoors.
Solar Powered Outdoor Speaker VS. Solar Generator for Outdoor Speaker
|
Types |
Usages |
Features |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Solar Powered Outdoor Speaker |
Solar-powered outdoor speakers are used to listen to music or other stuff in outdoor settings using solar power panels. |
They are sturdy, waterproof speakers that can sustain harsh weather and movement. |
1. Highly portable. 2. Environmentally friendly. 3. Sturdy and low maintenance. |
1. Ample sunlight is required for fast charging. 2. Proper cleaning of solar panels is important. 3. It cannot power other devices if needed. |
|
Solar Generator for Outdoor Speaker |
Solar generator for outdoor speakers has portable solar panels, a battery to store electricity, a battery charger, and an inverter. |
Solar generator for outdoor speakers is a more versatile power option for outdoors because they can be used to power multiple devices. It will even work indoors when you have any power outage issues. |
1. It can power various devices even when you are outdoors, including camping lights, cooking grills, speakers, phone charging, etc. 2. It can be used in power outages. 3. Zero fuel cost. 4. Noise-free. |
1. Solar panels need proper cleaning. |
Solar-Powered Outdoor Speaker
Solar-powered outdoor speakers are a piece of great equipment for anyone who is a nature lover and needs music to survive. Outdoor speaker quality can be tricky because there are no walls or filters, so you have no control over the surrounding noise. There is wind, birds chirping, dogs barking, and leaves rustling. Solar-powered outdoor speakers must offer high-quality performance with high power handling and low-frequency response for excellent bass.
Another important factor is the sturdiness of the equipment to sustain tough weather conditions like exposure to sunlight, rain, and dust.
Solar Generator for Outdoor Speaker
Solar generators for outdoor speakers have a wider scope than solar-powered outdoor speakers. This equipment has bigger batteries that can power almost all your outdoor devices. If you have a large solar generator, you can run your refrigerator, TV, laptop, etc. It is important to note that solar generators have zero fuel cost because you are not using any gas resource or gasoline. They charge using solar panels and then work through batteries.
How Many Watts Does An Outdoor Speaker Use
The important point about solar-powered outdoor speakers is that the more power and volume you want, the more wattage you need. Since outdoors have their own set of noises, you would need the louder output to cancel them out, hence a little higher wattage than conventional speakers. So, generally, you need at least 10 watts per channel or 20 watts of total power. Then for better sound quality outdoors covering a large area, you need 50 watts per channel or 100 watts total.
The Difference between Wattage and Power Output
Power output is the total amount of power your solar-powered outdoor speaker or any speaker produces. On the other hand, wattage is the amount of total energy consumed by the speaker.
How To Calculate Watts Required By An Outdoor Solar-Powered Speaker
How many watts an outdoor solar-powered speaker requires depends on the total square foot area you want to cover. When you multiply the area by 20 watts, the answer is the total watts requirement. However, you should consider that this gives you an estimate only. The sound quality outdoors might also be affected by weather conditions and the signal-producing devices in the area, like cell phones or routers.
The volume is a personal choice, and the wattage requirement changes accordingly. However, generally, 50 to 100 watts is a good number for the watts requirement of a solar-powered outdoor speaker system.
How Loud Is An Outdoor Speaker
As we already discussed, the required wattage for a solar-powered outdoor speaker depends on the area coverage you need. The other factors that influence volume are the speaker cone's size, the magnet driver's power, and the distance.
Decibels and watts are common units you need to know while describing your speaker requirements. In the simplest terms, decibels measure loudness, while watts measure amplifier power.
Mathematically, we can express the relationship as;
One watt=90 dB.
100 watts, or 100X more power=110 dB.
Suppose you want to cover an area of around 5,000 square feet, then a rough estimate of your wattage requirements is as follows.
|
Requirement |
Decibels |
Wattage |
|
Background Listening |
60 dB |
20W – 40W |
|
Cookout |
80 dB |
25W – 45W |
|
Mowing The Grass |
> 105 dB |
60W – 100W |
|
Outdoor Party (10 people) |
80 dB |
30W – 60W |
|
Outdoor Party (50 people) |
120 dB |
100W – 200W+ |
How Much Solar Power Does An Outdoor Speaker Need
The solar power requirement of an outdoor speaker depends on several factors, including the coverage area, the watts requirements, the duration of working, etc.
|
Types of Outdoor Speakers |
Square Feet |
Watts |
Length of Time |
Daily Power Consumption |
|
Small outdoor speaker |
Less than 300 |
60W |
8 H |
480W |
|
Personal outdoor speaker |
300-500 |
80W-100W |
8 H |
640W-800W |
|
Mid-Range Outdoor Speaker |
600-800 |
150W-175W |
8 H |
1200-1400W |
|
Large Outdoor speaker |
Over 1000 |
250W+ |
8 H |
2000W+ |
Jackery Solar Generator for Outdoor Speaker
We recommend using Jackery solar generators for outdoor speakers because of their sturdiness, smooth functionality, and high capacity. They charge fast, have a display to show charging and output, and also safeguard devices from voltage fluctuations. They work even on rainy days and at night, and you can also use them for indoor backup in emergencies and power outages. So, it is an asset that will be useful in many situations.
Jackery offers a large range of solar generators covering various capacities. You can choose small setups like Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus or Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus or use high capacity options like Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus offering 1264Wh.
1. Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is a compact yet powerful charging solution ideal for small to large outdoor speakers. If you are planning an outdoor party in your home backyard or any other location, you can consider this Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus. It has a sturdy, foldable handle, so you can carry the solar-powered generator anywhere you go and charge appliances.
2. Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus
If you want a compact charging solution that can be carried to outdoor locations to charge different speakers, then the Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus sounds like a reliable choice. It weighs only 16.1 lbs and features a foldable handle so you can move the solar generator wherever you go. The power station pairs well with the higher efficiency and bifacial solar panels, making the solar generator a go-to choice for outdoor adventures.
3. Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus is ideal for charging speakers during camping, glamping, and other outdoor adventures. It weighs only 8.27 lbs and can fit into your backpack. The Jackery SolarSaga 40W Solar Panels can fold to iPad size, ensuring you can charge the power station in remote locations and enjoy non-stop music with the outdoor speakers.
|
Series |
Capacity |
Ports |
Outdoor Speakers Watts |
Working Hours |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus |
288Wh |
AC Output (x1): 120V, 60Hz, 300W (600W Peak) USB-A Output (x1): 15W Max 5V⎓3A USB-C Output (x1): 15W Max 5V⎓3A USB-C Output (x2): 100W Max, 5V⎓3A (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V up to 5A) Car Port (x1): 12V⎓10A |
Less than 300 Square Feet: 60W |
4.0H |
|
300-500 Square Feet: 80W-100W |
2.4-3.0H |
|||
|
600-800 Square Feet: 150W-175W |
1.3-1.6H |
|||
|
Over 1000 Square Feet: 250W+ |
58 minutes |
|||
|
Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus |
632Wh |
AC Output (x2): 120V~ 60Hz, 6.67A USB-A Output (x1): 18W Max, 5-6V⎓3A, 6-9V⎓2A, 9-12V⎓1.5A Car Port (x1): 12V⎓10A Max USB-C1 Output: 30W Max, 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓2.5A, 15V⎓2A, 20V⎓1.5A USB-C2 Output: 100W Max, 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓3A, 15V⎓3A, 20V⎓5A |
Less than 300 Square Feet: 60W |
8.9H |
|
300-500 Square Feet: 80W-100W
|
5.3 - 6.7H |
|||
|
600-800 Square Feet: 150W-175W |
3.0 - 3.5H |
|||
|
Over 1000 Square Feet: 250W+ |
2.1H |
|||
|
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 |
1070Wh |
AC Output (x3): 120V ~ 60Hz USB-A Output (x1): 18W Max 5-6V⎓3A, 6-9V⎓2A, 9-12V⎓1.5A Car Port (x1): 12V⎓10A USB-C1 Output: 30W Max 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓2.5A, 15V⎓2A, 20V⎓1.5A USB-C2 Output: 100W Max 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓3A, 15V⎓3A, 20V⎓5A |
Less than 300 Square Feet: 60W |
15.1H |
|
300-500 Square Feet: 80W-100W |
9.0 - 11.3H |
|||
|
600-800 Square Feet: 150W-175W |
5.1 - 6.0H |
|||
|
Over 1000 Square Feet: 250W+ |
3.6H |
|||
|
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus |
1264Wh |
AC Output (x3): 120V~60Hz, 2000W (4000W Peak) USB-A Output (x2): 18W Max, 5-5V⎓3A USB-C Output (x2): 100W Max, (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V up to 5A) Car Port (x1): 12V⎓10A |
Less than 300 Square Feet: 60W |
17.9H |
|
300-500 Square Feet: 80W-100W |
10.7 - 13.4H |
|||
|
600-800 Square Feet: 150W-175W |
6.1 - 7.1H |
|||
|
Over 1000 Square Feet: 250W+ |
4.2H |
|||
|
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus |
2042.8Wh |
AC Output (×4)：120V~ 60Hz, 20A Max AC Output (×1)：120V~ 60Hz, 25A Max USB-A Output (x2): Quick Charge 3.0, 18W Max USB-C Output(x2): 100W Max, (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V up to 5A) Car Port (x1): 12V⎓10A |
Less than 300 Square Feet: 60W |
28.9H |
|
300-500 Square Feet: 80W-100W |
17.3 - 21.7H |
|||
|
600-800 Square Feet: 150W-175W |
9.9 - 11.5H |
|||
|
Over 1000 Square Feet: 250W+ |
6.9H |
Solar-Powered Outdoor Speakers FAQs
1. What size of solar generator do I need to power an outdoor speaker?
As we discussed, the general requirement for outdoor speakers is 60 to 300 watts. So, small and portable Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus, Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus,and Jackery Solar Generator 240 v2 are a good choice. However, suppose you want to run other equipment with your solar-powered outdoor speakers or run them longer. In that case, you should go for bigger generators like Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus and Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus.
So, how long can a generator run your solar-powered outdoor speakers? Here is the simple method to calculate the size of a solar generator for your requirement.
Let us take the example of Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus, which has a capacity of 1264Wh.
Working time = 1264Wh * 0.85 / operating wattage of your device.
Suppose your speakers consume 100 watts of power. Then you can calculate the working time by substituting the value in the formula.
Working time = 1264Wh * 0.85 / 100W = 10.7 hours.
Note: Multiplying by 0.85 indicates that there will be some power loss that happens when charging the appliances.
2. How to choose the best solar outdoor speakers?
- A solar-powered outdoor speaker needs to be portable and thus lightweight and sleek.
- The higher the speaker's wattage, the louder and better quality sound, but larger wattage can make the system heavier. So, you need to trade-off between these two factors.
- A pair of 60-watt speakers installed under 20 feet apart gives good coverage for 300 square feet. 80 to 100-watt speakers are a good choice for 300 to 500 square feet. Additionally, 150- to 175-watt speakers can cover 600 to 800 square feet.
- Most solar-powered outdoor speakers give you a battery life of six hours, but it can vary. Another thing to consider is how long it will take to charge solar power speakers.
- The IP (Ingress Protection) rating is a standard the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) created. It measures the water resistance level of your solar-powered outdoor speaker
The first number in an IP code shows protection against solid objects, while the second number shows the level of solar speaker protection against liquids.
3. Do solar-powered outdoor speakers work on cloudy days, in winter, or without the sun?
Solar-powered outdoor speakers work on cloudy and cold days though they work better on sunny days. Another factor to consider is that outdoor speakers must be weather resistant to sustain harsh weather, rain, and dust. Solar generators like Jackery are a better solution in such circumstances because they are built to work outdoors, are sturdy, and are very weather resistant. Also, one solar generator can power all your electronic equipment in camps, vans, and picnics.
Final Thoughts
Solar-powered outdoor speakers are useful for nature adventures, van life, camping, and picnics. However, buying the perfect outdoor speaker is a challenging task because there are many factors you need to consider, including watts, power output, weather resistance, battery power, etc. Solar-powered outdoor speakers have some downsides, as they might not be as productive on cloudy days, may not be sturdy enough, and need frequent charging. On the other hand, if you choose a solar generator like Jackery, you have a wide-scale power solution at your disposal that can power up most or all of your required equipment outdoors. Also, you can use it in emergencies in your home or during power outages, and you can also use it to minimize your power usage cost.
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