Edifier ES20 Speaker Review
This kind of compact, pocketable speaker has faded from the spotlight in recent years, with smartphones like the iPhone now offering credible audio experiences and plenty of volume. So the Edifier ES20 is something of a surprise to see, but perhaps it delivers sound that far exceeds its size, making the case for such a device.
Design
There’s something about the way the Edifier ES20’s silver speaker grille intertwines with its white, rubberised perimeter to reveal a shadow gap all the way around the edge that feels reminiscent of classic Braun speaker design, and that’s definitely a good thing. The ES20 is a tactile and fun speaker to hold and use, with its grippy exterior and solid build. It’s also remarkably easy to stash away in a bag or even a generous trouser pocket, weighing just 326g and measuring 9×9×5cm.
Practicality is everywhere. On the side there’s a strap attachment point and a lanyard-style strap comes included in the box. You can take it anywhere, as the body is built to withstand dust and water, boasting an IP67 rating. From simply squeezing and holding it, you can also tell it’s built to handle knocks and the general wear and tear of daily use.
Another nice touch: as it plays audio, you’ll see the Edifier ES20 glowing from behind. An ambient light ring offers five preset modes which can be toggled from the top of the speaker, alongside the volume and power buttons. On the front there’s a battery state-of-charge bar. In the future you should be able to download the Edifier ConneX app and be able to fine-tune the lighting colour as well as adjust other settings; but it’s not supported yet.
Battery & Charging
Edifier claim up to 15 hours of playtime from the ES20, but in our testing we managed around 12 hours, with volume set to roughly three-quarters. That’s still a solid result for something this compact, and there are LED light bars on top to show the charge level!
Performance
Whilst we admire how the Edifier ES20 has been crafted, it ultimately has to deliver better audio than a smartphone to have any real purpose. We benchmarked it against the latest iPhone 16 Pro, and the difference wasn’t quite as night-and-day as we had expected. To be clear, it’s definitely much louder and fuller-sounding if you want it to be.
One of the biggest improvements is in spoken-word audio. Whether it’s playing a podcast on your desk or providing background entertainment while you shower, the ES20 handles voices brilliantly, with crisp clarity and plenty of presence.
For music playback, the 6W driver is gusty and impressively loud. Indoors, maximum volume can be more than you’d ever need. However, once you push the volume past around the 80% mark, bass starts to sound clipped and there’s a hint of reverb in the higher ranges. At that point, the mono speaker begins to unravel and the experience becomes less enjoyable. Stay below that threshold, though, and you’re treated to substantial audio quality that exceeds expectations. Instruments aren’t glued together; there’s pleasing separation to be enjoyed when listening to something like ‘Davina McCall’ by Wet Leg, where the guitars, drum rhythm and vocals each hold their own space.
It’s far from flat-sounding; in fact, it’s more enjoyable than pretty much every ultra-compact speaker we’ve ever reviewed. That said, since it’s the first one in years to arrive here, we can’t say we’re shocked. There’s also a built-in high-sensitivity MEMS microphone with intelligent noise cancellation. In our brief testing, call recipients reported clear voice quality; and you can walk a few metres away without any noticeable drop in clarity, so no need to raise your voice.
Verdict
A podcast and vocal wonder box, the Edifier ES20 combines its distinctive, Braun-like design with surprisingly spirited audio projection. Keep the volume under 80% and it delivers genuinely impressive sound quality; push it further, and the performance starts to get a bit twitchy and lose its composure. It’s one we’d be happy to throw in a backpack when travelling or to use casually around the house.
