The portable wireless speaker market may not be seeing a flurry of launches these days, but the demand for affordable and reliable options remains strong. While established names like JBL, Boat, Anker Soundcore, and Sony dominate the shelves, Xiaomi has been making a comeback in this segment with their latest offering, the Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker (16W). Priced at Rs. 2,499, this speaker aims to provide a compelling value proposition with its 16W sound output, IPX7 water resistance, and other features. But does it truly deliver the best audio experience for its price point, competing against a sea of similar options under Rs. 5,000? Let’s dive into the details of the Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker (16W) and see if it lives up to the hype.
A Minimalist Design with a Focus on Functionality
While many budget-friendly portable speakers rely on loud colors and sharp edges to grab attention, the Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker (16W) embraces a more minimalist and functional aesthetic. It echoes the design of the Mi Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker launched in 2020, featuring a fabric-wrapped exterior, elastic cord, and rubber buttons. Though usable vertically, the speaker is optimized for a horizontal placement, boasting rubber grips on its underside for stability. This orientation ensures the speaker drivers fire forward while the buttons are neatly positioned on the top.
The intuitive button layout covers all essential functions for direct control: power, volume, playback, Bluetooth pairing, and a dedicated button for stereo wireless pairing (perfect for connecting two speakers to create a wider soundstage). The buttons are responsive and reassuringly tactile, leaving no room for potential water ingress to harm sensitive components.
The IPX7 water resistance rating of the Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker (16W) is a welcome feature, assuring that accidental spills or even brief submersion won’t damage the device. On the right side, a tight rubber flap conceals a USB Type-C port for charging and a 3.5mm socket for auxiliary connectivity. The primary mode of connectivity is Bluetooth 5, offering support for the SBC Bluetooth codec.
The speaker is powered by two 8W full-range drivers, delivering a total rated output of 16W. Two equalizer modes are available: deep bass and normal, which can be toggled using a combination of the play/pause and ‘+’ buttons. Voice assistant integration is also present, allowing you to activate the default assistant on your smartphone by double-pressing the power button.
Battery life is commendable for a speaker of this size and output. The Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker (16W) houses a 2,600mAh battery, providing around 9-10 hours of playtime at moderate volumes. Charging is carried out via the USB Type-C port, taking roughly 3 hours with a 10W wall adapter. It’s worth noting that only a USB cable is included, so you’ll need your own adapter for charging.
Loud, Punchy Sound with a Focus on Mids
The sonic signature of the Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker (16W) bears a resemblance to its smaller counterpart, the Mi Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker, but with a stronger emphasis on loudness. The two 8W drivers produce a punchy and driven sound, noticeable even at lower volumes due to the front-firing drivers ensuring a focused and precise audio experience.
Testing with tracks like Waiting by Oliver Heldens at moderate volumes, the speaker delivers a detailed and enjoyable listening experience, particularly in the vocals. The mid-range shines, but the bass, while audible, lacks the powerful drive you might expect. However, turning the volume up to 60 percent with a track like Jaago by Lifafa reveals a considerable sonic transformation.
The low-end becomes more pronounced, delivering tight and punchy bass that enhances the energetic feel of the track. Even at these louder volumes, the sound remains clear and crisp, showcasing a noticeable improvement in sound quality compared to other budget options under Rs. 5,000. However, pushing the volume close to maximum reveals the inherent limitations of an affordable speaker:
- The lows become boomy and muddy.
- The highs begin to distort under pressure.
- The mid-range suffers as well.
The Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker (16W) is not meant to be a high-fidelity marvel at extreme volumes. The difference between the normal and deep bass equalizer modes is subtle. The normal mode sounds a bit cleaner, while the deep bass mode provides a minor boost to the low-end frequencies.
Ultimately, the speaker shines at moderate volumes, providing sufficient loudness for reasonable home listening and even smaller outdoor settings. While it might not achieve the sound quality of premium offerings like the UE Boom 3 at high volumes, its performance at moderately high levels is still commendable for its price point.
The speaker also delivers a decent experience for casual voice calls, thanks to the well-defined mid-range frequencies. While a dedicated pair of wireless earphones offers more precision in this department, the Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker (16W) can handle basic voice communication effectively.
Verdict: A Strong Value Proposition for Budget-Conscious Consumers
The Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker (16W) stands out in its price bracket for one compelling reason: its impressive loudness. The audio quality is commendable considering the price, delivering a punchy and driven sound that will appeal to bass enthusiasts. The IPX7 water resistance adds an extra layer of peace of mind, and the battery life is quite good for a device of this size and capability.
Overall, there is little to fault with the Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker (16W). It’s easily the best value for money under Rs. 3,000 in the portable wireless speaker segment. While the speaker’s limitations become apparent at the highest volume levels, listening at moderately high volumes (60-70 percent) still provides an enjoyable audio experience.
If you’re searching for an affordable and reliable wireless speaker, the Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker (16W) is a solid choice. Its combination of loudness, decent sound quality, water resistance, and impressive battery life makes it a worthwhile purchase for budget-minded audiophiles.
