Short answer: the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini. It ranks #37 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $21.99; the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 ranks #42 and costs $100, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini offers: IP67 waterproof, TWS stereo pairing, 10-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.0, compact 185g design, bass boost equalizer, dual drivers with passive radiator, built-in microphone, USB-C charging, affordable price. The tradeoff: Not much bass, treble rolled off.
The case for the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2: 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. The catch: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume.
Buy the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
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 Mi Portable Mini at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini | Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $21.99 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #37 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Battery Capacity | 2000mAh | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 185 g | 0.6 lbs / 250 g |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Output Power | Not published | 8W |
| Drivers | 2x drivers (rare-earth magnet, long-fibre diaphragm) + passive radiator | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers |
| Frequency Response | 200Hz - 15kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 3.4" x 1.8" (86 x 86 x 45 mm) | 5.5" x 3" x 1" (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~120Hz |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini: $21.99
Pros: IP67 waterproof, TWS stereo pairing, 10-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.0, compact 185g design, bass boost equalizer, dual drivers with passive radiator, built-in microphone, USB-C charging, affordable price
Cons: Not much bass, treble rolled off
Full Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Capacity | 2000mAh |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 3.4" x 1.8" (86 x 86 x 45 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers (rare-earth magnet, long-fibre diaphragm) + passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 200Hz - 15kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | Not published |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 185 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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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
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- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Noxgear 39g
- 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
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