Review: Xiaomi Mi Speaker mini Bluetooth speaker for $13.29

What does it take when the weather is good to chill out in the sun? A loudspeaker for the right musical accompaniment. We got this little speaker from Xiaomi, who now provides us with the latest radio programme in the office.

• Xiaomi Mini Bluetooth Loudspeaker
  • at AliExpress for $13.29 | GearBest for $13.99 | Geekbuying for $14.99

In terms of design of the Xiaomi Mini Bluetooth Speaker , you have to salute Xiaomi once again. Like most of their products, this little Bluetooth speaker looks great, even if some say it’s often copied elsewhere. You can’t make a loudspeaker any simpler: The round aluminium housing is all you can see, the micro-USB connector is on the underside. It’s made of silicone, which also prevents the speaker from slipping too easily. The only button that is used for switching on and off is also integrated here.

The sound is really good for a speaker of this size. Especially at maximum volume, the bass is a bit muffled and the treble a bit tinny, which isn’t noticeable with every music style and is still within acceptable limits. Both sound quality and volume are sufficient for the living room or picnic blanket.

Besides this, there are only a few anomalies. Connecting via Bluetooth 4.0 worked smoothly with all devices, but not with two at the same time. The instruction is – typical for Xiaomi – only in Chinese, so you have to use the speaker with learning by doing. As it only is a small speaker, there’s no huge mystery in using it.

Conclusion for the Xiaomi Mi Speaker: Even though I described it quite soberly, I really like it. In contrast to (almost) all other speakers, this speaker really fits in your pocket, and can therefore always be there in summer. If you like the design and want to have a Bluetooth loudspeaker with you even without a lot of luggage, you can strike here.