12 Best Tailgate Speakers of 2019

The main reason you buy a tailgate speaker is to have audio when going on long trips, camping, and house parties. It’s important that the audio quality is top notch since you don’t want to purchase a speaker that doesn’t provide the impact you’re after. Therefore, you must evaluate the specs and here are some things to look out for:

• Frequency response: the frequency range can tell you a lot about the audio quality to expect. A wider range is better as more detail can be enjoyed. A minimum of around 20 Hz – 20k Hz is ideal as this means the drivers can play pinpoint highs and vibrant lows. However, look for a wider frequency range if you want more detail that increase the audio accuracy.
• Built-in EQ: having a built-in EQ is a huge advantage because this means you can tune the drivers to your preferences. You can control the treble and bass based on the genre of music you are enjoying. Also, some tailgate speakers come with their own EQ smartphone app, which makes the process a lot easier since they come with audio presets.
• Sensitivity: the sensitivity determines how loud the drivers can produce audio. Above 100 dB is ideal because it means the music can get extremely loud.

It can be frustrating to spend your money on a speaker only for it to break down after a few months of use. Therefore, pay attention to durability and there are a bunch of factors that go into evaluating this attribute. The shell of the speaker should be made out of durable materials that will protect the drivers inside. Having a shockproof case is ideal as this means the speaker can take a beating without breaking down.

Some tailgate speakers have a waterproof shell that protects the device from accidental splashes. Therefore, you can take the speaker camping, poolside, and beaches without fear of damage.

The method you use to connect to your newly purchased tailgate speaker is an important consideration. Here are a few of the main connection methods that you will be using:

• Bluetooth: one of the best ways to connect to your speaker is with Bluetooth because it provides wireless connectivity. You can stream music directly from your smartphone and play beats from apps such as Spotify. Also, make sure to stay within the connection range, because otherwise the signal won’t be as strong and not play quality audio.
• AUX: using an auxiliary port to play music is a great way to connect for non-Bluetooth devices. Make sure to use a premium cable so that the transmitted audio suffers minimal distortion.
• SD card: using an SD card is great because you can store thousands of songs onto one stick depending on the storage space. The only downfall of using an SD card is the lack of a shuffle mode, which means you’ll need to listen to your playlist in order.
• USB stick: much like the SD card you can store thousands of songs onto the stick. Also, you can use the same USB port to charge your devices, which can come in handy when traveling.

The speaker brand can tell you a lot since some brands have signature features and specific audio profiles. You can do the research yourself by checking online reviews that have been left by other customers. You have found a good tailgate speaker if the majority of the reviews are positive and there are a significant number of them.

Also, some bigger brands give out long warranties that you can use if your speaker were to break. If the brand doesn’t give out a warranty then you can purchase it as an add-on, which will be an extra cost. However, it’s worth it as you never know when your speaker can break down.