Can outdoor speakers stay out in winter?
Yes, if they're proper all-weather speakers. Wired garden speakers like the Polk Atrium 6 and Klipsch AW-650 are built to stay on the wall all year through rain, frost and sun. Portable Bluetooth speakers are different: bring those inside.
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What makes a speaker weatherproof
- Water-resistant cones. Polypropylene or treated woofers that don't soak up moisture, unlike the paper cones in many indoor speakers.
- UV-stable cabinets. Plastics that don't go brittle or fade in sunlight.
- Rustproof metalwork. Aluminium grilles and brackets, stainless steel or brass screws.
- Protected terminals. Connections at the bottom or under a cover, so water drains away.
Polk tests its Atrium range against ASTM D5894 UV and salt fog, MIL-STD-810 immersion and MIL-STD-883 salt and corrosion standards. Klipsch builds the AW-650 with a UV-resistant cabinet and a rustproof aluminium grille.
IP ratings explained
An IP rating has two digits. The first is protection against dust, the second against water. An X means that part wasn't tested.
| Water digit | Protected against |
|---|---|
| 4 | Splashing water from any direction |
| 5 | Water jets from a nozzle |
| 6 | Powerful water jets |
| 7 | Immersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes |
IP tests last minutes, not years, and don't cover sunlight or frost. Treat an IP rating as a sign of good sealing, not proof a speaker can live outside. Many wired all-weather speakers don't quote an IP rating at all and rely on other tests instead, like Polk's.
Winter checklist
- Mount under an eave
Out of the worst rain and summer sun. It's the single biggest thing you can do for long life.
- Terminals facing down
So water drains away from the connections rather than pooling in them.
- Leave a drip loop
A small downward loop in the cable just before the speaker, so rain runs off rather than along the wire.
- Seal the wall entry
Exterior silicone around the cable where it goes through the wall keeps out water and insects.
- Keep the amp indoors
Amplifiers aren't weatherproof. Keep yours somewhere dry and ventilated.
- Check once a year
Tighten bracket screws, clear leaves from the grilles, and look for corroded cable ends.
Full wiring steps are in our installation guide.
Speakers built to stay out all year
See all our picks in the main buying guide.
FAQ
Can outdoor speakers get wet?
All-weather outdoor speakers are built to take rain: water-resistant woofer cones, rustproof grilles and sealed or covered terminals. Mount them under an eave if you can, with the terminals facing down, and they'll last longer.
Should I take my outdoor speakers down for winter?
Not if they're all-weather wired speakers like the Polk Atrium, Klipsch AW-650 or Sonos Outdoor. They're designed to stay mounted all year. Bring portable Bluetooth speakers inside, because their batteries and seals aren't made for months outdoors.
Should I cover outdoor speakers?
Usually not. All-weather speakers don't need covers, and a cover can trap moisture against the speaker. Mounting under an eave gives most of the protection a cover would.
What does IPX4 or IP66 mean on a speaker?
The second digit is water protection: 4 means splashing water, 5 water jets, 6 powerful jets and 7 immersion up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. The first digit is dust protection, and an X means it wasn't tested for dust.
Can you paint outdoor speakers?
Many can. The Polk Atrium range and the Klipsch AW-650 are paintable. Mask the grille or paint it separately with thinned paint so you don't block the holes.
Can outdoor speakers be used indoors?
Yes. They work like any passive speaker, which makes them handy for bathrooms, garages, workshops and conservatories.