Welcome to the Great (Smart) Outdoors.
Smart Tech + Backyard = The Smart Outdoors
Do you love a good BBQ, relaxing in the garden, or hosting outdoor parties? Smart tech isn’t just for inside your home—it's time to bring those smarts outside.
“Alexa, it’s BBQ time.”
“Okay. Garden lights on. Music playing. Fountain running.”
Let’s dive into how to build your very own smart backyard setup.
Smart Outdoor Lighting
Lighting completely transforms the vibe of your backyard—from purely functional to relaxing, ambient, or even festive.
The rules are the same as indoor smart lighting:
You’ve got two options:
- Smart outdoor lighting kits
- Add smart control to your existing lights using a smart plug
Smart Lights – Kits & Integrated Options
Philips Hue Outdoor Range – Source: Philips
This is the “buy and install” route. Lights like the Philips Hue outdoor range give you:
- App control
- Voice commands
- Custom scenes
- RGB options (green and gold for the Wallabies, anyone?)
Smart Plugs – Make Any Lights Smart
If you’ve already got garden lighting, a weatherproof smart plug is an easy and cost-effective way to automate your setup.
Just make sure it’s rated for outdoor use—or place it in a weatherproof box.
Music for the Smart Outdoors
Music makes everything better. Without it, your party’s just a meeting.
Affordable Option – Bluetooth Speaker
UE Bluetooth Speaker
A portable speaker like the UE Boom 3 is all you need to get started. They’re rugged, waterproof, and sound great for their size.
Mid-Range – Multiroom Audio
Sonos Move – Source: Sonos
If you’re already using Sonos inside, consider adding a Sonos Move for your outdoor area.
Or, if your space is weather-sheltered, you can bring out a Sonos One or Play 5.
More on this in our full guide to Smart Home Audio.
Higher-End – Outdoor Audio Systems
If you’re after premium sound and want to go all-in, consider the Sonos Outdoor Set or similar wired speaker setups for full backyard immersion.
The Great Smart Outdoors – Just the Beginning
Smart tech outdoors opens up new ways to enjoy your space. BBQs become hands-free, your garden glows with the tap of an app, and your favourite playlist follows you from kitchen to courtyard.
Got questions about outdoor smart tech? Hit me up—I’d love to hear what you're planning.
And if you're diving deeper, check out: