Xiaomi announces new IP66-rated Bluetooth Speaker Essential

Chinese technology company Xiaomi has just announced its new Bluetooth Speaker Essential. This succeeds the Redmi Bluetooth Speaker 2 and brings meaningful improvements. This includes an upgrade to Bluetooth 6, delivering more stable and longer-range wireless connectivity.

However, like the Redmi Bluetooth Speaker 2, the Xiaomi Bluetooth Speaker Essential weighs approximately 200g, sports a spherical design, and supports wired audio over USB-C. Immersive listeners can use stereo pairing, and the speaker supports multi-speaker pairing for sophisticated, multi-room smart speaker setups.

You can answer calls hands-free while paired, and battery life lasts up to 10 hours with volume set to 40%. Similarly, the speaker provides a 5-watt power output and protects against battery loss with an automatic power-off feature. The Bluetooth Speaker Essential is IP66-rated to guard against water and dust, and the fabric mesh body sports an anti-slip rubber base.

Xiaomi’s new speaker utilizes a 1.5-inch driver and a passive radiator for accentuated bass. The rubberized hoop is handy for attaching to backpacks, although it’s less sturdy than the Redmi Bluetooth Speaker 2’s metal band. Xiaomi’s latest speaker is available in Green and Black from the company’s global website. However, there has been no confirmation so far regarding pricing and availability in the US.