Short answer: the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini. It ranks #37 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $21.99; the Harman Kardon Neo ranks #43 and costs $90, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini gets right: 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. Watch for: Not much bass, treble rolled off.
The case for the Harman Kardon Neo: IPX7 waterproof. Elegant matte-metal design with an attachment loop. Echo-cancelling mic for calls; goes louder than its size suggests. The tradeoff: Huge lack of bass.
Buy the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Neo 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 Neo at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini | Harman Kardon Neo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $21.99 | $90 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #37 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #43 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 | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 185 g | 0.6 lbs / 251 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| 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 | 3W |
| Drivers | 2x drivers (rare-earth magnet, long-fibre diaphragm) + passive radiator | 1.6" (41mm) full-range driver |
| 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) | 4.3" x 4.3" x 1.3" (110 x 110 x 34.1 mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 105Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 87dB |
| 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
- Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini vs JBL Clip 3
- Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini vs JBL Clip
- Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini vs Sony SRS-XB12
- Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini vs Sony SRS-XB13
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- Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini vs Boat Stone 190/193
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- See all 23 comparisons
Harman Kardon Neo: $90 Discontinued
Pros: IPX7 waterproof. Elegant matte-metal design with an attachment loop. Echo-cancelling mic for calls; goes louder than its size suggests.
Cons: Huge lack of bass. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Neo review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 105Hz |
| 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 | 4.3" x 4.3" x 1.3" (110 x 110 x 34.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1.6" (41mm) full-range driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 87dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 3W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 251 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 Neo vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Xiaomi Sound Pocket
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Muzen Wild Mini
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Noxgear 39g
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Sony SRS-XB12
- Harman Kardon Neo vs JBL Clip 3
- Harman Kardon Neo vs JBL Clip
- See all 13 comparisons