If you’re on the hunt for a portable speaker that’s small enough to carry around but still packs a punch in the sound department, the Edifier ES20 might just be what you need. This little guy is making waves as one of the coolest compact speakers out there, and it’s easy to see why. With its retro leather design, ambient lighting, and solid audio performance, it’s hard not to fall in love with this tiny powerhouse. Plus, at just $41 on AliExpress and Amazon, it’s an absolute steal for what it brings to the table.
My experience with Edifier ES20
The Edifier ES20 is a speaker that’s been catching eyes lately, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s small, sleek, and comes packed with features that make it stand out from the usual crowd of portable speakers. For starters, this little guy has a 6W output, which doesn’t sound like much on paper, but don’t let that fool you. It gets surprisingly loud for its size, easily filling up a small room or adding some vibe to your outdoor hangouts. Crank it up to 80%, and you’ll have more than enough volume to keep things lively. Pushing it to max doesn’t add a ton more, but hey, it’s still impressive for something you can toss in your bag.
Sound quality is where the ES20 really starts to shine. The mids and highs are crisp and clear, making it perfect for vocals and acoustic tracks. Instruments don’t get lost in the mix, and there’s a nice balance that keeps things natural without being too sharp or muffled. The bass, though, is where things get a bit tricky. It’s driven by passive radiators instead of a dedicated woofer, so while it delivers tight mid-bass, don’t expect earth-shaking lows. That said, it’s decent for a speaker this size, and if you’re not someone chasing deep sub-bass, you’ll probably be happy with what it offers.
One thing people seem to love about the ES20 is its design. It’s wrapped in this soft, rubbery faux-leather material that gives it a retro vibe, and it feels premium in your hands. The front grille looks clean, especially in the white model, and the subtle branding adds a touch of class. At the top, you’ve got four buttons—power/play-pause, volume control that doubles as track skipping, and a dedicated button for the ambient lighting. Speaking of which, the lighting is a nice bonus. It’s located on the back, giving off a soft glow that’s soothing rather than flashy.
Add in the IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, and you’ve got a speaker that can handle whatever you throw at it. Rain? No problem. A little splash by the pool? It’ll laugh it off. Even if you accidentally drop it into water, it’ll keep on playing like nothing happened.
Battery life is another strong point. With up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge, it’s perfect for long days outdoors or even just chilling at home. You don’t have to worry about running out of juice halfway through your playlist, and the USB-C charging port makes topping it up quick and easy.
The Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity is solid, offering stable pairing and decent range. One cool feature is the ability to pair two ES20s together for stereo sound. It’s not going to replace a full home audio setup, but it’s a fun option if you’re hosting a party or just want a wider soundstage. There’s also dual-device connection, so you and a friend can take turns DJing without constantly unpairing and reconnecting. The only downside here is the lack of other input options. No aux port or microSD card slot means you’re stuck using Bluetooth, which might be a dealbreaker for some.
Call quality is decent, thanks to the built-in mic and AI noise cancellation. In quiet environments, it works great, and your voice comes through clearly. However, in noisy settings, the noise cancellation can make your voice sound a bit muffled. It’s not terrible, but it’s something to keep in mind if you plan to use it for calls on the go.
The Edifier Connect app is pretty basic, but it gets the job done. You can tweak the EQ with a few presets, adjust the lighting effects, and check the battery level. None of these features are groundbreaking, but they’re nice to have, especially the ability to customize the LED ring. Some might find the app a bit redundant since most controls are available directly on the speaker, but it’s still a handy tool for tweaking things on the fly.
For less than 50 bucks, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck. It’s not perfect—no speaker this size ever is—but it punches way above its weight in terms of sound, design, and features. The design alone makes it stand out from other budget-friendly options, with its sleek leather wrap and soft glow lighting adding a touch of class. Throw in features like Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, stereo pairing, and an intuitive app for tweaking settings, and you’ve got yourself a speaker that punches way above its weight class. So yeah, the Edifier ES20 is definitely worth checking out if you want something stylish, functional, and affordable.
💡 Recommended Alternatives: For higher volume and retro aesthetics, see the larger Edifier ES60 Review, the desktop-focused Edifier Hecate G1000 II Review, and our Speakers & Audio Hub.
