Looking for a durable and affordable speaker to liven up your outdoor adventures? Look no further than the Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker.
This compact and portable speaker packs a punch, promising impressive sound quality and long battery life, all wrapped in a weather-resistant design.
But does it live up to the hype? In this review, we'll delve into the Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker's features, performance, and overall value proposition to help you decide if it's the perfect companion for your next outdoor escapade.
Also Read: Xiaomi vs JBL Speakers 2024 | Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 vs JBL Go 3
Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker Review
Inside The Box
The Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker comes in white rectangular-shaped cardboard packaging. You can find the image of the device on the front of the box and the technical specifications of the sides.
Inside the box, you will find:
- An instruction manual both in Chinese and English
- A USB type-c charging cable
- And of course, the Xiaomi Speaker itself.
Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker Specifications
Features | Specifications |
Bluetooth | 5.0 |
Weight | 380 Grams |
Height | 14.7 cms |
Width | 7.3 cms |
Output Power | 5W |
Frequency response | 20 - 20,000Hz |
Compatibility | iOS and Android |
Battery | 2,000 mAh |
Battery Life | 20 hours |
Charging type | USB-C type |
Waterproof rating | IPX5 |
Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker - Design and Appearance
The best part about this Xiaomi Bluetooth speaker is the design. It has a cylindrical design with Omni speakers, which means you get the same sound all around the room. It's extremely similar to Xiaomi's Pocket Speaker.
- The Speaker is about 15cm x 7cm in size making it quite compact and easy to carry around. It also weighs about 380 grams. So, you can be assured that the weight won't get in the way of your outdoor activities.
- This Speaker is completely black with a premium finish. Interestingly, there's no Mi logo on the exterior of the speaker. It doesn't feel uncomfortable as it's designed to be held for long durations. It also comes with a bright orange carrying cord, which allows you to hang or carry the speaker.
- The top portion of the Mi speaker, which is around 1.5 centimeters from the body is made of ABS plastic. This 1.5 centimeters of space is where the magic happens. The rest of the speaker is covered with a textile fabric which helps with the grip.
At the base of the speaker, you will find a rubber non-slip foot that can provide stability even on uneven rocky terrain. The on/off switch and the manufacturer logo can be found underneath the device.
Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker - Feature and Use
In terms of the feature and use it’s a pretty standard Bluetooth speaker. It works great. However, the technical specs could have been a bit better.
- The Xiaomi Mi Outdoor speaker is equipped with a 52 mm speaker which can blast music with just 5 watts. In addition to this, it does have 2 passive radiators that give the sound more depth. Not only does this create that extra oomph but it also provides a 360-degree sound which is something that becomes crucial in an outdoor setting.
- This speaker comes with a 2000 mAh battery which will basically deliver around 20 hours of continuous music.
- The Bluetooth 5.0 ensures super-fast connectivity without any lags. Bluetooth has a range of about 10 meters. Anything beyond that and you can’t connect to your device.
- If you want more reach and depth in terms of sound, this is the speaker to go for. The Omni speakers will ensure that you don’t need big external speakers that are expensive.
Usage
The bottom of the speaker has the power on and off button. It’s easy to turn it on and off. There is a USB-C type connector for charging at the bottom that can be closed with a clasp that is meant for water going through.
The most interesting feature, however, is the volume control. To control the volume, you must rotate the top of the cylinder clockwise and anti-clockwise.
Connecting with Bluetooth
A lot of people might think it’s overkill to mention how to connect this device with your phone or laptop. But different devices have different functionalities to connect.
- 3-second press - When you press the device for 3 seconds it connects automatically to the device that has been paired
- 5-second press - The device will make itself available to the devices that are available to connect
Button Functions
You can use the Xiaomi outdoor speaker to also make calls and communicate with your loved ones over your phone. This, in fact, is my favorite aspect of Bluetooth speakers. This feature makes it one of the must-own Xiaomi products.
- When I’m home alone, I'm either listening to music or I’m talking to my family or friends loudly over the speaker.
To activate that, here are the button functions.
Call Mode
- Answer a call with a short press of the button
- End an active call with a short press of the button
- Mute an active call by double pressing the button
In-Music Mode
- One-time press for playing
- One-time press for pausing the music
Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker Sound
The most important aspect of any Bluetooth speaker is the sound and to test that we check the bass and mids and highs.
- It's important to note that the speaker is oriented towards the bottom. This causes the sound to escape through the underside ensuring that the sound is equally distributed in all directions with consistent quality.
- The highs are sharp and the bass is clear as well. However, the mids could be a bit better. But, considering the fact that this Bluetooth speaker is on par with brands like JBL and still so affordable makes it a speaker worth the money.
What the Xiaomi outdoor speaker does really well is controlling the sound when it hits the extremes to avoid any disturbances. The higher register sounds better on the Xiaomi outdoor speaker compared to the bass.
Mi Outdoor Speaker - Waterproof or Not?
Considering it’s an outdoor speaker, it needs to be put to the test with regard to ruggedness and the waterproof feature.
- It has an IPX5 rating, which means it can take a bit of water that including rain without affecting the speaker's insides. This rating also ensures that this speaker can be used in dusty areas without any issues.
But, if you drop it in a puddle of water or a bucket of water, don’t expect it to work. You cannot submerge it in water and it might stop working. However, it's pretty damn sturdy and the build is amazing. It’s super strong and it can withstand a few falls without any fuss.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the Xiaomi outdoor speaker is one of the best in its segment. Be it real-time or long-term performance, the Xiaomi offers state-of-the-art technology and most importantly, a build that ensures a high lifespan. I've personally used it for 2.5 years without any issues. And my piece certainly has been through a lot of stress.
As the "outdoor" name suggests, this speaker can take a severe beating and still come out with zero bruises. It is IPX5 rating ensures protection from the elements. I even accidentally pushed it into a pond and it still worked perfectly.
While the fabric of the speaker can handle the splashes and stress with ease. It can tend to discolor. Especially, if you get the white one. The discoloration is quite ugly, to be honest.
The sound quality is not bad. Although it isn't absolutely stellar, this speaker can produce an even sound that emphasizes the mids while producing clear highs. Most importantly, it does deliver a decent oomph with the bass.
This is pretty great considering the compactness of the device and the presence of a single-speaker driver. To experience the best sound quality ramp up the volume to 70-80.
Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker Price and Review - Final Thoughts
This outdoor speaker is absolutely fantastic. The sound quality is the most important criterion and the Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker is on point.
In fact, it actually does go toe to toe with JBL which is known for its music equipment. You get clear highs and overall high-quality sound with great bass.
- The Features, of course, help a lot. For example, the button control that slows you to sync to your device and even transition between calls is super useful. Also, the battery life of 8 hours is super useful.
Personally, I love the build quality and the orange carry cord. It makes the whole device more versatile and any outdoor experience enjoyable.
Pros
- Sound quality
- Button Functions
- IP55 Waterproof
- Design
- 8-hour Battery life
Cons
- It's only IP55 waterproof so you cannot completely submerge it in water
Xiaomi Bluetooth Speaker Price
Coming to the price. This isn’t the cheapest speaker out there. However, it's definitely worth the price. Overall this is a good speaker that works really well and has good battery life. But for a speaker that is advertised as outdoor, I would prefer it to actually be waterproof and be more rugged! Check out the Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker Price and Review for all the details.
Which Bluetooth version does MI outdoor Bluetooth speaker support?
The Xiaomi Mi Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker supports Bluetooth 5.0. You can expect stable and super-fast connectivity without any lags from the Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker. Check out the Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker Price and Review for all the details.
How much is the music playback time of the MI outdoor Bluetooth speaker?
The Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker comes with a 2600 mAh battery. With the various functions and features, this speaker can provide continuous music for around 8 hours on a single charge. This battery life is actually pretty decent for a Bluetooth speaker in this price range. Check out the Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker Price and Review for all the details.
Also Read :