Tag: Bluetooth Speaker Essential

  • Xiaomi Budget Bluetooth Speaker EU with 10-Hour Battery Life

    Xiaomi Budget Bluetooth Speaker EU with 10-Hour Battery Life

    Key Takeaway

    – European rollout of the Bluetooth Speaker Essential: Spain €13.99 (green only); Belgium ~€14.99 MSRP (black/green); Germany €19.99 (black/green) — about a 42% price uplift across markets.
    – Specs: Bluetooth 6.0, 1,000 mAh battery, up to 10 hours at 40% volume, 1.5″ driver with passive radiator, up to 5 W; ~2.5 hours at full volume.
    – Color options by market: Spain green only; Belgium black/green; Germany black/green (UK previously £12.99).
    – Takeaway: very budget-friendly in Europe, but with notable cross-country price variations.

    Xiaomi has started rolling out its Bluetooth Speaker Essential to more markets. For context, the affordable speaker landed last month in the UK. Priced at £12.99, the Bluetooth Speaker Essential is much cheaper than Xiaomi’s existing options like the Sound Outdoor or the Sound Pocket (curr. $24.99). Its compact design and claimed endurance had people curious, even if it looks plain to some buyers.

    UK to Eurozone rollout

    Now, the Bluetooth Speaker Essential has reached the Eurozone, though it arrive at vastly different price points depending where you live. To recap, the speaker supports Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity and is rated to last up to 10 hours at 40% volume from its 1,000 mAh battery. Additionally, Xiaomi has included a 1.5-inch driver and a passive radiator, which combined to deliver up to 5 W. Please note that the Bluetooth Speaker Essential may only last 2.5 hours at full volume before recharge.

    Spain and Belgium pricing

    Currently, Xiaomi’s budget speaker costs €13.99 (~$16) in Spain, where it is available to purchase in only a green colour for now. The company has discounted the speaker from an alleged €14.99 (~$17) MSRP though, which is roughly how much it intends to charge in Belgium with a choice between black and green colours. Shoppers in Spain and Belgium are watching prices closely, while colours stay the same across some listings.

    Germany pricing and options

    Meanwhile, the Bluetooth Speaker Essential has arrived for €19.99 (~$23) in Germany. While only €6 more expensive than in Spain, this difference represents a 42% uplift between Eurozone member states. Xiaomi is selling the Bluetooth Speaker Essential in a choice of black and green colours in Germany too.

    Xiaomi Belgium, Xiaomi Germany & Xiaomi Spain

    Xiaomi Belgium, Xiaomi Germany & Xiaomi Spain appear to be part of the same rollout plan, yet pricing can sway between markets. The listing pages show the same device, same specs, and similar colour choices, but shoppers in each country see different price tags. The dynamics hint at a coordinated Europe wide strategy with slight local adjustments for Belgium, Germany and Spain.


  • Xiaomi Bluetooth Speaker Essential: Global Launch of Bluetooth 6.0

    Xiaomi Bluetooth Speaker Essential: Global Launch of Bluetooth 6.0

    Key Takeaways

    1. Xiaomi is set to launch the Bluetooth Speaker Essential, a modified version of the Redmi Bluetooth Speaker 2, globally.
    2. The Bluetooth Speaker Essential features Bluetooth 6.0, an upgrade from the Redmi’s Bluetooth 5.3.
    3. It has an IP66 water resistance rating, which means it cannot be submerged in water, unlike the IP67 rating of the Redmi Bluetooth Speaker 2.
    4. The speaker offers 5 W power, a 1.5-inch driver, a passive radiator, and a 1,000 mAh battery with up to 10 hours of playback at 40% volume.
    5. It includes a USB Type-C port for wired use and supports synchronized playback with up to 10 speakers or TWS pairing with two units.


    It looks like Xiaomi is about to launch a slightly modified version of the Redmi Bluetooth Speaker 2 worldwide. Just to remind you, this speaker was first unveiled in September last year in China. Although it hasn’t been launched yet, the recent appearance of the Bluetooth Speaker Essential on Xiaomi’s global site suggests that it will be available internationally in the coming months.

    Key Differences in Features

    The Bluetooth Speaker Essential isn’t just a rebranded version of the Redmi Bluetooth Speaker 2. For starters, it features Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity, which is an upgrade over the Bluetooth 5.3 standard found in the latter. Additionally, Xiaomi has given the Bluetooth Speaker Essential an IP66 rating for water resistance, which is lower than the IP67 rating that the Redmi Bluetooth Speaker 2 boasts.

    Practical Implications

    What this means in real terms is that the Bluetooth Speaker Essential cannot withstand being submerged in water up to one meter, unlike the Redmi Bluetooth Speaker 2, which can. Aside from the IP ratings, the Bluetooth Speaker Essential provides a rated power of 5 W, similar to the previous Sound Pocket model (currently priced at $24.49 on Amazon). Furthermore, Xiaomi’s latest speaker comes with a 1.5-inch driver and a passive radiator, along with a 1,000 mAh battery that can last up to 10 hours at 40% volume. However, if you crank it up to 100% volume, the official battery life drops to just 2.5 hours.

    Additional Features and Availability

    Moreover, the Bluetooth Speaker Essential can also function as a wired speaker through its USB Type-C port. Xiaomi has also highlighted the ability for synchronized playback among up to 10 speakers or TWS stereo pairing with two units. Currently, the pricing and exact release date are still not known. For more information, you can check Xiaomi’s official website.

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