Summer is here, and that means it’s time to move your indoor entertainment setup onto the patio or into the backyard. You likely know this entails getting some comfortable outdoor furniture and a grill big enough to feed all your friends. But what about the ambience? Your music and lighting setups are equally important. And your gear has to be outdoor-rated.
Walmart has an incredible selection of smart, weather-resistant tech that will let you put the finishing touches on your outdoor space without overspending. Here are just a few of our recommended setup tips and tech picks, and check out Walmart for more summer deals.
Product | Price | Great for |
|---|---|---|
Bose SoundLink Flex II | $159 | Portable outdoor audio (IP67 waterproof) |
Better Homes & Gardens Outdoor String Lights | $30 | Warm ambient lighting, large spaces |
Govee Smart Wi-Fi LED Strips (32.8ft) | $70 | Color customization, music sync |
Great outdoor Bluetooth speaker for backyard use: Bose SoundLink Flex II ($159 at Walmart)
Bose SoundLink Flex II
Outdoor speakers can be tricky. Wattage is important, but so is weather-resistance, the portability factor and how the speaker sounds in open-air settings, which can depend on where you place it.
For an ultra-portable speaker weighing only 1.29 pounds, the new Bose SoundLink Flex II pumps out an impressive 200 watts of sound that will fill your outdoor space. The second-generation model gives you access to a full 3-band graphic EQ within the Bose companion app. PositionIQ technology automatically adjusts the EQ to optimize sound whether the speaker is standing up, lying flat or hanging. For robust acoustics, place the speaker next to a wall where the bass can bounce off into your space. For even bigger sound, sync with another compatible Bose speaker utilizing Party Mode.
The silicone-wrapped exterior comes in fun colors and features an IP67 rating, meaning it’s dustproof, waterproof and backyard-ready. Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connectivity ensures easy device sharing. The speaker is capable of up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge.
Great outdoor patio lights for summer: Better Homes & Gardens string lights ($30 at Walmart)
Better Homes & Gardens Outdoor String Lights
Warm, commercial-grade lighting is key for both the mood and safety of your outdoor entertainment space. Gear that’s not outdoor-rated can be an electrical hazard. And lights that are too bright, such as house flood lights, can kill a vibe fast.
Better Homes & Gardens Outdoor String Lights are water-resistant with an IP65 rating, and they create a soft, inviting ambiance. The shatterproof polycarbonate LED Edison bulbs emit a warm, white light with a color temperature of 2700K and a brightness of 300 lumens. String them up with hooks, drape them over deck rails or wind them around guide wires and enjoy the glow all summer.
One package includes 12 glass polycarbonate LED bulbs and 28 feet of hanging wire. If you have a large space, you can connect multiple sets together for better coverage, while the 120V UL-certified plugs ensure the connections are safe and secure.
Great outdoor smart lights for summer: Govee RGBIC Outdoor Wi-Fi LED strip lights ($70 at Walmart)
Govee Smart Wi-Fi LED Light Strips
For more variety in your lighting setup, colorful LED light strips are a fun way to add some flavor. Govee Smart Wi-Fi LED Light Strips add cool customization capabilities and handy smart features to the mix.
These flexible light strips feature a protective silicone coating and IP65 water resistance, meaning they’ll withstand mild splashes and rain. Always use isopropyl alcohol to remove dirt and grime from surfaces before using the adhesive backing to stick the strip. Once up, the lights utilize Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to control the color combinations, brightness levels and more with your voice via your smart home devices, such as Alexa and Google Assistant.
You can also customize your lighting preferences through the Govee Home App on your phone.
- RGBIC technology lets you light up individual segments of the strip with over 16 million colors
- The warm, white lighting option gives your outdoor dinner party an elegant glow up
- Over 64 preset lighting modes such as Sunset, Forest and Romantic make instant mood lighting a snap
- The LED strips feature a built-in microphone and 11 music modes that synchronize with your music
One strip of Govee Smart Wi-Fi LED Light Strips measures 32.8 feet long, enough to transform your patio into a dance party.
Assembling a seamless outdoor hosting experience
Now that you know how to build your own outdoor entertainment space, it’s time to sync everything up. Walmart makes it easy to get the string lights, LED lights, waterproof speakers and everything else you want to dial in your space without overspending, and without hassles.
- Walmart offers a big selection of outdoor-entertainment items in stock, whether you shop online or in store
- Walmart offers free standard shipping on most orders over $35 and you can expect to receive your order in two to five business days
- Walmart’s return policy includes a standard 90-day return window for most items, with free FedEx pickup available via the Walmart Returns Center
Head over to Walmart today to check the latest pricing on expert-approved smart audio and lighting solutions and elevate your outdoor entertainment space.
FAQ
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How do I protect my outdoor entertainment tech from rain and dust?
Choose hardware with verified IP (Ingress Protection) ratings. An IP65 rating is sufficient and will protect tech from dust and low-pressure water exposure. An IP67 rating ensures a device can handle accidental drops in water, as well as dusty backyard conditions.
What type of lighting is best for a permanent outdoor setup?
Look for commercial-grade, weather-resistant strings with heavy-duty wiring (like G40 setups) that can withstand year-round exposure to sun, rain and wind. LED light strips with IP65 water resistance will withstand mild rain splashes.
Can indoor LED light strips be used outside on a covered patio?
No, always use specifically designated outdoor-rated LED strips that feature at least IP65 water resistance to prevent electrical hazards and hardware degradation from outdoor elements.
How do smart outdoor lights connect to my phone?
Most smart outdoor-lighting options utilize stable Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to customize brightness levels, mood settings and colors directly via a dedicated smartphone app.
Where should I place a portable speaker for the best outdoor sound?
Place the speaker on a flat, solid surface near a wall or structure if you want to reflect and bass-boost the audio, or position it centrally at ear level for even distribution across an open patio.
What is the best outdoor Bluetooth speaker for a backyard party?
The Bose SoundLink Flex II pumps out an impressive 200 watts of sound that will fill your outdoor space. The PositionIQ technology automatically adjusts the EQ based on whether the speaker is standing up, lying flat or hanging, and you can pair it with another Bose speaker to enable Party Mode.
Are Govee LED strip lights waterproof enough for outdoor use?
Yes. Govee outdoor strip lights have IP65 water resistance. Keep in mind that the power adapter they plug into should either be indoors or encased in a waterproof outlet box.
What outdoor string lights work best for a large patio?
Better Homes & Gardens outdoor string lights have a warm color temperature and an approachable price point, coming in at $30 a set. It’s also easy to string multiple sets together for whatever your patio size requires.
