The Mi Portable Bluetooth speaker was launched in India for Rs 2,499 that offers everything you need from a portable speaker. The wireless speaker has a two-driver setup with an output of 16W, offers IPX7 water resistance and has all the right ports needed for your smartphone. It is probably the most affordable Bluetooth speaker that gives brands like Boat and Ultimate Ears a run for their money. I’ve been using the speaker for the past few days for various purposes and here’s what I think about it:
Design and FeaturesWhen looking at the Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker, the first thing you will notice is the design as it is quite reminiscent of the Ultimate Ears lineup. However, unlike its competition, I prefer the Portable Bluetooth speaker’s design as it can be used in both vertical and horizontal orientation. The base is wide enough for the speaker to stand vertically and on the side, the speaker also has rubber platforms to keep it balanced while placed horizontally. The speaker gives the user the freedom to use it the way they want when placing it on the flat surface. Not many portable Bluetooth speakers offer this kind of flexibility which is great to have when using it in different environments.
© MensXP_Akshay Bhalla
The speaker is also IPX7 water-resistance rated which means you can use it at the pool or at the beach without worrying about water damage. Having said that, I do advise closing the top-hatch to cover up the charging and aux-in port. The speaker can technically be submerged up to 1 meter in water for 30 minutes. Having said that, I do wish Mi India sells a separate floaty with the speakers so that you can use it in a pool as it floats. Since the competition does offer a floaty with its water-resistant portable speakers, it was a disappointment to see Mi India not going all the way with this product.
© MensXP_Akshay Bhalla
The portable speaker also has all the capacitive buttons you need for controlling music, volume and connections. The buttons are quite responsive to use and fairly easy to set up with any phone you want, thanks to the dedicated pairing button. Overall, the speaker’s design is well thought out and covers all the bases including providing a port for a 3.5mm auxiliary-in. This port can be used for plugging in all types of devices that support the connection. In my case, I used it with the Nintendo Switch as it serves as the perfect portable speaker for portable gaming. Lastly, the speaker also has an in-built microphone that can be used for phone calls.
When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers, sound quality is not the main feature customers look at. That’s because these speakers need to serve their purpose more than offering high fidelity sound. Having said that, the Mi Portable Bluetooth speaker offers a great sound experience considering how much it costs. In comparison to UE portable speakers, the sound is as good if not better. The experience can also be enhanced by using a stereo setup since the speaker can pair with another Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker via stereo pairing. I didn’t get to test the stereo pairing feature since I was provided with only one review unit, but I advise checking it out for yourself at a store near you.
© MensXP_Akshay Bhalla
When it comes to the sound, the speaker is loud enough to fill up a medium-sized room with ease, thanks to the dual setup with an output of 16W. The speaker also offers a more balanced sound than UE’s Megaboom while being louder at the same time. In fact, this speaker by MI puts UE on notice as it offers a better sound experience for less. The speaker does come with a dual-EQ mode that improves the sound a bit but it isn’t as comprehensive as UE’s app-based EQ customisations.
© MensXP_Akshay Bhalla
Genres like Electronic, Hip-Hop and Ambient sound quite satisfying although we do feel the speaker focuses a bit more on the lower frequencies in one of the EQ modes. Overall, the sound quality is good enough for outdoor parties or a day at the beach, a purpose the Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker serves suitably. The Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker can also last for up to 13 hours on a single charge which is quite impressive considering the size of the drivers. The speaker can be recharged via the USB-C port but unfortunately, it does not offer any fast-charging capabilities.
The Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker is perfect for anyone who needs a portable speaker that doesn’t cost too much but also delivers great sound. For Rs 2,499, the Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker is currently the best value for money portable Bluetooth speakers in the market and makes the competition look like it is overcharging for its products.
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