Short answer: the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 for better sound quality, the Xiaomi Sound Pocket for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 ranks #42 of 47 small speakers at $100. The Xiaomi Sound Pocket ranks #45 at $22.99, $77.01 cheaper.
What the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 gets right: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. Metal grille with a faux-leather back and a small kickstand. 8-10 hour battery life. Watch for: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume.
What the Xiaomi Sound Pocket offers: 5W output, IP67 waterproof, 10-hour battery life, compact 200g ultra-portable design, Bluetooth 5.4 with TWS stereo pairing, built-in microphone, USB-C charging, 3.6-inch form factor. Set against that: Bass light, vocals harsh above ~80% volume, vibrates/walks on hard surfaces at higher volume when upright, slow 3-hour charge.
Buy the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Xiaomi Sound Pocket if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 47 small speakers instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the Xiaomi Sound Pocket at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 | Xiaomi Sound Pocket | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 Discontinued | $22.99 |
| Ranked | #42 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #45 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~120Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 250 g | 0.4 lbs / 200 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.4 |
| Frequency Response | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 5.5" x 3" x 1" (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) | 3.6" x 2.9" x 1.7" (90.8 x 74.4 x 42.6 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Output Power | 8W | 5W |
| Drivers | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers | Full-range driver + passive radiator |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Capacity | - | 1000mAh |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2: $100 Discontinued
Pros: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. Metal grille with a faux-leather back and a small kickstand. 8-10 hour battery life.
Cons: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.5" x 3" x 1" (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 8W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 250 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Sony SRS-XB12
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Noxgear 39g
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs JBL Clip 3
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs JBL Clip
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Sony SRS-XB13
- See all 14 comparisons
Xiaomi Sound Pocket: $22.99 Amazon Aliexpress
Pros: 5W output, IP67 waterproof, 10-hour battery life, compact 200g ultra-portable design, Bluetooth 5.4 with TWS stereo pairing, built-in microphone, USB-C charging, 3.6-inch form factor
Cons: Bass light, vocals harsh above ~80% volume, vibrates/walks on hard surfaces at higher volume when upright, slow 3-hour charge
Full Xiaomi Sound Pocket review and specifications →
| Aux Input | No |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 1000mAh |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.6" x 2.9" x 1.7" (90.8 x 74.4 x 42.6 mm) |
| Drivers | Full-range driver + passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 200 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 Sound Pocket vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Xiaomi Sound Pocket vs Sony SRS-XB12
- Xiaomi Sound Pocket vs Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini
- Xiaomi Sound Pocket vs JBL Clip 3
- Xiaomi Sound Pocket vs JBL Clip
- Xiaomi Sound Pocket vs Sony SRS-XB13
- Xiaomi Sound Pocket vs Sony SRS-XB100
- Xiaomi Sound Pocket vs Boat Stone 190/193
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