Portable speakers have come a long way, but finding one that has good sound quality, is durable and portable isn’t always easy. The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor Speaker promises to check all these boxes with its 30W output, deep bass, and rugged design. But does it actually deliver? I put it to the test in different settings—from indoor listening sessions to outdoor adventures—to see if it lives up to the hype. Here’s what I found.
Design and build
The first thing I noticed when I picked up the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor Speaker was how solid it felt. It’s covered in a tightly woven fabric that gives it a premium look while also making it grippy and durable. There’s a rubberised strip at the back and an attached lanyard, which makes it easy to carry or hang on a backpack while trekking. At around 600 grams, it’s not the lightest portable speaker out there, but it’s still manageable to throw in a bag and take anywhere.
The IP67 rating is a huge plus. I took it to a poolside party recently, and while it got splashed a few times, the sound quality remained unaffected. Later, I even rinsed off some dust under a tap, and it kept working perfectly. If you need a speaker that can handle the outdoors, this one’s up can be a good pick. I took it on a picnic to Sunder Nursery in New Delhi and the sound was loud enough to keep a bunch of us of fully entertained and engrossed in the music.
Sound performance
Now, let’s talk about the most important part: sound quality. Xiaomi claims this speaker delivers deep bass, clear vocals, and crisp treble—and for the most part, it delivers on that promise.
Starting with the lows, the dual passive radiators do a good job of enhancing the bass. It’s not earth-shaking, but for a speaker this size, it packs a punch. When I played “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd, the bass line had enough depth to feel immersive, and the vocals stayed clear without getting lost in the mix.
For a Hindi song, I tested it with “Kesariya” by Arijit Singh, which has soft, warm vocals and a mix of mid-range instruments. The speaker handled it adeptly — the vocals were crisp, and the background music had a nice depth to it. The mids and highs were well-balanced, making the song sound detailed without becoming harsh at higher volumes.
Speaking of volume, this thing gets loud. Even at 70-80% volume, it easily fills a medium-sized room or an outdoor space. At full volume, there is some slight distortion in bass-heavy tracks, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
Connectivity & features
Pairing the speaker was a breeze, thanks to Bluetooth 5.4. The connection remained stable even when I moved around within a 10-meter range. However, there’s no support for higher-quality audio codecs like AAC or aptX, which means it won’t satisfy the audiophiles, but for casual listening, it does the job well.
One of the coolest features is its ability to pair multiple speakers together. If you have two of them, they automatically sync as left and right channels, creating a proper stereo experience. Xiaomi even claims you can connect up to 100 of these speakers for an insane party mode. I didn’t have 100 speakers to test this (obviously), but pairing two worked seamlessly, and the soundstage became noticeably wider.
Another nice touch is the built-in microphone, which means you can also take calls on it. The quality isn’t mind-blowing, but sometimes when you are listening to music but don’t want to disconnect and take calls, you can answer it directly from the speaker directly. One thing missing, though, is voice assistant support—there’s no Google Assistant or Alexa integration.
Battery life
Battery life is another strong point. I used it for almost one or two hours everyday and the device lasted me one whole week on a single charge. When the volume levels were at 50 per cent it lasted for a week, with slightly higher volume, I got around 9-10 hours of battery life on a single charge. When it does run out, the 15W USB-C fast charging is a great addition—it took about 2.5 hours for a full charge.
Verdict
Is the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor Speaker worth buying? If you want a speaker that’s portable, durable, and delivers surprisingly good sound for its size, then yes, it’s a great option. The sound quality is well-balanced, the bass is punchy for its size, and the ability to pair multiple speakers makes it a solid choice for both solo listening and social gatherings.
That said, if you’re an audiophile looking for high-fidelity sound or advanced features like smart assistant integration, you might want to look elsewhere. But for most people who just want a great-sounding, durable Bluetooth speaker for outdoor and casual use, this one would make for a good choice.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
