If you’re looking to get your hands on a new Bluetooth speaker in 2026, you have plenty of awesome options to pick from. I should know, having personally tested more than 30 models during my time here at TechRadar, including big hitters from the likes of Bang & Olufsen, Bose, and JBL.
But the speaker I want to discuss here isn’t from one of those household name brands. It’s also not the most premium option around. But it’s an incredible-sounding, compact, and classy model that I just can’t get enough of. And the best part? It comes in at under $90 / £50 / AU$100.
The model I’m talking about is the Edifier ES20, a palm-sized speaker with a retro-style aesthetic that’s so good that it even made the cut in my guide to the best Bluetooth speakers that money can buy. But what makes it so special? Well, I’ve selected the three main reasons why I’d recommend it down below, so if you’re interested to hear more, scroll on down!
1. Excellent audio with mesmerizing mid-range performance
First and foremost, the Edifier ES20 is an amazing performer given its small size and equally small price-tag.
When I tested it for my Bluetooth speakers guide, I was particularly blown away by its phenomenal mid-range clarity. The definition and expressiveness of electric guitars and vocals really stuck out to me, and helped the ES20 to stand out over top-tier rivals like the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4.
On top of that, you get satisfying, natural-sounding treble that sounds controlled yet energetic. And even though you won’t get incredible low-end weight from this small audio companion, bass is still punchy and agile, making for an exciting yet clean listening experience.
2. Immersive and ambient listening with customizable lighting
The Edifier ES20 doesn’t only sound great, it finds a way of immersing you in your tunes so much more than most rivals in this price category.
And the main way it does that is with its integrated lighting, which you can customize via the speaker’s companion software. Yep, simply head over to the Edifier ConneX app, you can choose from a wide variety of lighting options, such as Breathing, Glittering and Rainbow. On top of that, you can personalize aspects like light modulation rate, brightness, and the displayed colors.
During my time testing the speaker, the lighting helped me to indulge in more atmospheric listening sessions. And because the ES20’s LED lighting is positioned on the reverse side of the speaker, you can even illuminate a wall behind it, which creates a real sense of ambience
3. A rugged yet classy design
One more brilliant thing about the Edifier ES20 is its phenomenal design, which merges rough and ready portability with a surprisingly luxurious look.
First of all, this model is IP67-rated – a rating shared with many of the best waterproof speakers. That rating means that it’s fully dustproof, but also highly waterproof, and is able to withstand being submerged in a meter of water for as long as 30 minutes. It’s also got a really solid feel to it, meaning it will likely survive being dropped a few times without accruing any meaningful damage.
However, this model is also a real looker. It’s definitely got that retro-style that Marshall speakers have thrived on over the years – there’s clear inspiration from the Willen line in particular. But that combination of faux-leather casing, golden detailing, and an appealing protective grille really is to die for. And that marriage of practicality with sleekness is just another reason to love this cost-efficient Bluetooth speaker.
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harry.padoan@futurenet.com (Harry Padoan)
