Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Mini for better sound quality, the Xiaomi Mi Portable for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Mini ranks #56 of 136 medium speakers at $128.67. The Xiaomi Mi Portable ranks #58 at $55, $73.67 cheaper.
What the Bose Soundlink Mini offers: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Comes with a charging cradle. The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others.
The case for the Xiaomi Mi Portable: Good battery life for a 16W speaker - around 12 hours at moderate volume. Watch for: A bit of a sharp treble.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Mini if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Xiaomi Mi Portable if the price matters more than sound quality.
If water resistance matters to you, the Xiaomi Mi Portable at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini | Xiaomi Mi Portable | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $128.67 Discontinued | $55 |
| Ranked | #56 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #58 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 0.8 lbs / 373 g |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) | 8.4" x 2.9" x 2.9" (213 x 74 x 74 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | USB-C (5V/1A) |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | - |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 2x 57mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 16W |
| TWS | - | Yes |
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- LG Xboom Go PL7 vs Sony XB33
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Mini: $128.67 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Comes with a charging cradle.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Xiaomi Mi Portable: $55 Amazon
Pros: Good battery life for a 16W speaker - around 12 hours at moderate volume. USB-C charging, stereo pairing support.
Cons: A bit of a sharp treble
Full Xiaomi Mi Portable review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 2.9" x 2.9" (213 x 74 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 57mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/1A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 373 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Sony XB33
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs JBL Flip 5
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs JBL Flip 4
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Sony XB23
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Tronsmart Element Force