6 gadgets that take my backyard parties up a notch (and why they make such a big difference)

4 days ago 2

Whether you're hosting the annual family cookout, throwing a summer birthday party, or just want to invite friends over, it's important to make sure your backyard is prepped and ready to handle a crowd.

From Bluetooth speakers for pumping high-energy playlists and grills for hassle-free outdoor cooking to string lights and other gadgets that set the mood, I've rounded up a list of my favorite outdoor tech and equipment to help you build the best outdoor entertainment space and throw killer parties all summer long.

Also: Why I'm ditching Bluetooth speakers in favor of this outdoor wired system - and don't regret it

I got my Blackstone griddle grill as a gift, and it has quickly become my favorite way to cook outdoors, whether it's just for my family or for a big barbecue crowd. The model I have features a 28-inch cooktop, which is large enough to handle everything from hot dogs and hamburgers to steaks, chicken, veggies, and even things like tortellini (try it, trust me). The cast iron cooktop does require some fussy maintenance, like seasoning before first use, careful cleaning, and proper protection, but the results are hard to argue with when you can whip up enough fajitas to feed an army in under 30 minutes.

I've had my Auking M8-F mini projector for a couple of years now. It was originally a birthday gift from my wife so I could host Mario Kart parties for friends and not have to crowd around our living room's 50-inch Samsung TU8000. But after about three years of road trips, Halloween movie marathons, and the aforementioned Mario Kart tournaments, the Auking mini projector remains a great, affordable option for streaming media outdoors.

The LED lamp has a life expectancy of up to 55,000 hours so you never have to worry about replacing lamp bulbs. You can also adjust the screen from 35 to 200 inches, perfect for projecting onto an exterior wall of your home, a dedicated screen, or a blank interior wall. It connects to your laptop or game console via HDMI, and while it's not the brightest projector, you still get great colors and sharp detailing with 1080p HD resolution.

Read also: The best outdoor TVs you can buy

The built-in speaker is also great for when you don't want to set up extra sound equipment in the yard, and it has surprisingly clean audio quality if you don't crank the volume too high. It's handled everything: God of War Ragnarok on the PS5, Overcooked on the Switch, and even one night in the woods when my friends and I watched the Blair Witch Project. The Auking mini projector is a great addition to any outdoor entertainment space, and I can't recommend it enough.

If you're looking for a Bluetooth speaker that can handle pumping out the jams for a backyard barbecue or beach day, the Sony SRS-XB23 is a great option. It features a compact, cylindrical design that's great for tucking away on a shelf, in a corner, or hanging.

The upward and downward-firing subwoofers give you enhanced bass for your favorite playlists while also giving you consistently clear audio quality, even at high volume, and you won't have to worry about bothered neighbors as the XB23 gets loud enough to enjoy at a party, but not loud enough to warrant any noise complaints. It has up to a 12-hour battery life and plenty of playtime for a weekend party, beach day, or cookout at the park. And with IP67 water and dust resistance, you won't have to worry about a little rain, ocean spray, sand, or dirt ruining your good time.

As party host, you're going to need a way to not only play DJ, but also try to control the vibes around you. That includes any smart lighting or Wi-Fi cameras to keep an eye on off-limits areas or prevent any mishaps. The Google Pixel Tablet can be used in a similar way as the Google Nest or Echo Hub, letting you set up a custom smart home network control center for setting mood, lighting colors, and intensity, queueing up the perfect party playlists, and keeping an eye on security camera feeds.

Read the review: How I used the Pixel Tablet as my smart home display (and key things to consider)

ZDNET's Maria Diaz used the Google Pixel Tablet as her smart home display and said she loved that it worked well with both Android and iOS devices for a better user experience. Plus, she complimented the improved Google Assistant voice controls over Siri alone. But she noted that some product brands didn't play well with the tablet, like Nanoleaf, and that the built-in microphone left something to be desired when making video calls.

Also: The best tablets you can buy: expert tested

Accent lighting like string bulbs, walkway laps, and wall sconces can do wonders for your backyard's atmosphere. My wife and I picked up two sets of the Addlon 48-foot Edison bulb-style string lights for our deck and backyard two summers ago, and they're still going strong.

We chose them because, first, they're solar-powered, so we don't have to worry about remembering to change batteries or taking up the single outlet on the deck. Second, they come with both clamp and ground stake options for placement, which makes it easy to set up along railings, shepherd's crooks for hanging garden baskets, and whatever else you want illuminated. The bulbs aren't very bright, but they add a nice, soft, sodium-orange glow to the yard after sunset that perfectly complements a bonfire.

Fire pits are almost a must-have for any backyard party, especially if you plan on an evening event. I've had my eye on the Solo Stove Yukon 2.0 for a while now to replace our current fire pit because of its stainless steel construction, which will stand up better to humid Cleveland summers. It also features a unique airflow design that makes your campfires burn hotter, which means there will be virtually no smoke. It also has a removable ash pan and base plate for removing leftover ash, charcoal, and debris.

Also: The best fire pits of 2024

As a long-time tech journalist, I never buy anything for myself unless I am absolutely certain that it's worth the money. I've chosen products for this list that I've either been using for years in various iterations or have been researching and reading about as I plan to improve my outdoor spaces. I spent hours reading both positive and negative verified customer reviews as well as testing various tech to find the very best on-offer and help you find the right setup for your next outdoor party.

Anything that's comfortable and can seat a lot of people. If you have a 4-, 5-, or 7-piece patio set, like the Royalcraft rattan set from Walmart, you should be set for a typical backyard party as most guests will be up and mingling. You'll want to choose furniture with materials meant to be outdoors and exposed to the elements: rattan, treated lumber, and composite materials are all great choices. Metal is also a good option, but make sure you choose furniture that has been properly painted with powder-coat to prevent rusting.

A big downside to having a fire pit is trying to mow around it and your firewood supply, and then dealing with a bare patch of dirt and regrowing grass if you move it. Another downside is dealing with smoke that can annoy party guests as well as neighbors if they're close by. And if your fire pit is made of metal, you'll have to invest in an all-weather cover to prevent rusting and weather damage.

If you don't have a yard that's big enough to have both a fire pit and a decent fire wood pile, a propane option can work. There are even models that are small and safe enough to use on a deck or table top. With a propane fire pit, you won't have to worry about annoying smoke, cleaning up ashes and coals, or dealing with bugs and rodents that decide to call your wood pile home.

However, the trade-off is that you'll have a propane tank to maintain, which can get pricey if you use it often. Propane also carries its own risks, so make sure that your tanks are always in good working order and filled properly. Also do visual checks of your fire pit's connections and hoses to avoid accidental explosions and uncontrolled fires.