Xiaomi is back with a new version of its portable speaker, Sound Outdoor – its first since 2021 in India. The design and audio performance of the device are at par with one of JBL’s products. However, the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor speaker costs less than half the price of a JBL speaker with a similar 30W sound output. The Xiaomi speaker also boasts several noteworthy features and specifications such as Bluetooth v5.4 connectivity, IP rating, and the ability to sync with multiple such devices wirelessly for a stereo experience.
Keep reading this Xiaomi Sound Outdoor review to discover more details and its overall performance.
Table of Contents
Design
The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor speaker is designed to be travel-friendly. Measuring nearly the size of a half-litre water bottle, its compact squircle shape ensures it’s easy to carry. A handy rubber loop allows the speaker to be hooked onto bags or other items for added portability. Despite its sturdy build, the speaker weighs just 597 grams, making it lightweight and practical for on-the-go use.
We reviewed the black variant, which features a vibrant orange strap and a high-quality fabric finish that enhances its appearance and tactile feel. The speaker is also available in blue and red colour options, both showcasing a stylish monochromatic design.
With an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor speaker is ready for outdoor adventures, from pool parties to beach outings. Its durable fabric exterior can even be submerged in water briefly for cleaning, ensuring it stays fresh and functional wherever your travels take you. However, we would advise against taking it on extreme adventures.
The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor speaker offers versatility and can be positioned either vertically or horizontally. However, placing it horizontally is recommended to maximise bass performance, owing to the placement of the subwoofer radiators that are located on both ends for low-frequency sounds. To ensure stability, Xiaomi has equipped the speaker with two silicone anti-skid pads, which keep it securely in place on a variety of surfaces.
The overall design is sleek and minimalistic, with subtle details like the ‘Xiaomi’ branding on the front and the ‘Designed by Xiaomi’ text etched onto the subwoofers’ radiators. The strap discreetly features necessary certifications and manufacturer information, thoughtfully designed to remain unobtrusive and maintain the speaker’s clean aesthetic.
Controls
The controls on the Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker’s controls are intuitive and fairly responsive. The main controls are at the back, placed on a rubber strip that extends into the loop. They letting you power the device on/ off, initiate Bluetooth pairing, and enable a more immersive audio experience by linking up to 100 compatible speakers. We couldn’t test the latter, but the other two buttons work as advertised with good haptic feedback.
There are three more buttons on the speaker to control the audio playback and volume levels. These buttons allow you to play, pause, skip tracks, and adjust the volume directly on the speaker, eliminating the need to constantly reach for your smartphone. The play button can also be used to answer calls, which is a nifty feature to have but not always useful since the speaker lacks a microphone. You will need to have your smartphone close to have back-and-forth communication.
Audio
The Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker touts wireless Bluetooth v5.4 connectivity with a standard SBC codec, which is acceptable for the price. Despite that, there isn’t much to complain about the speaker’s audio performance, thanks to its dual drivers that offer 30W output. Furthermore, the speaker features a Dynamic Equilibrium to automatically balance out different frequencies and a Dynamic Woofer Extension to amplify the bass for that thump in the music. This results in a promising and pleasing sound quality, which can fill any small to medium-sized room without being muffled.
I listened to a variety of tracks on the speaker, from party poppers like Chhaiya Chhaiya, GOAT, Wavy, and Levitating to relaxing songs such as Sajdaa, Tum Se Hi, Channa Mereya, Let Her Go, and Thinking Out Loud. Here’s what I observed.
The speaker performs best at 60-70 percent volume, delivering crisp and detailed notes across the board. Even at 80 percent volume, the sound quality remains impressive for the most part. However, pushing it beyond this level leads to a noticeable loss of detail, particularly in the lower frequencies. That said, this is more of a minor quibble than a significant drawback, especially considering the speaker’s affordability.
The overall experience remains enjoyable, with a punchy bass and a balanced profile. The subwoofer radiators, aka passive radiators, further enhance the low-end frequencies, adding depth and richness without consuming additional power. This feature shines particularly in tracks like Chhaiya Chhaiya, where the drum beats at the one-minute mark—and throughout similar songs—making you literally groove to the music. This is the default sound profile of the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor speaker and there is no way to customise it.
Battery life
The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor impresses with its battery life. Equipped with a 2,600mAh battery, it offers a versatile performance based on usage. During my experience, the speaker delivered approximately 10 hours of playback at 70–80 percent volume. The claimed figure is up to between charges. Once the speaker runs out of juice, it can be recharged via a Type-C cable. The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor speaker supports 15W charging, which takes more than 2 hours to achieve a full charge from nothing. You can still play your favourite tracks while the device is being charged.
The LED in the power button blinks slowly while the speaker is charging and turns solid white once it is fully charged. I wish the speaker had LED indicators for battery level, as they would have been incredibly useful for planning trips. There is no other way to find out the battery percentage remaining as well.
Verdict
The budget-friendly Xiaomi Sound Outdoor speaker impresses with its balance of design, and performance. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a compact, stylish, and travel-friendly speaker that delivers powerful sound and a punchy bass profile. While it does have a few limitations, such as the absence of a microphone and battery indicators, these are relatively minor drawbacks considering its price point and features.
The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor speaker can be bought via the official Xiaomi store and e-commerce platform such as Flipkart with a sticker price of Rs 3,999 in India.
Editor’s rating: 8 / 10
Pros
- Compact, lightweight, & sturdy
- Rich bass & balanced sound profile
- Good battery life
- Impressive multi-speaker sync capability
Cons
- Slow charging
- Slight distortion at max volume
