Xiaomi has quietly added a new portable speaker to its global lineup, and it comes with a notable first: Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity. The Bluetooth Speaker Essential appears to be a tweaked version of the Redmi Bluetooth Speaker 2 that launched in China last September, but the global variant brings upgraded wireless tech while making a small tradeoff in water resistance.
The speaker packs a 1.5-inch driver paired with a passive radiator, delivering 5W of rated power from its compact enclosure. A 1,000 mAh battery provides up to 10 hours of playback at 40% volume, though that figure drops to just 2.5 hours when cranked to full blast. The IP66 certification means it can handle dust and powerful water jets, though unlike its Redmi sibling with IP67 protection, you won't want to submerge this one. Xiaomi has also included multi-device pairing that supports synchronized playback across up to 10 speakers, or TWS stereo pairing between two units for a wider soundstage.
The Bluetooth Speaker Essential can also function as a wired speaker via its USB Type-C port. Available in two colors, the speaker has appeared on Xiaomi's global website, suggesting a worldwide launch is imminent. Pricing and exact availability dates have not yet been announced.
