The Minirig 4 is a high-end portable speaker geared towards audio enthusiasts who want the flexibility to go wireless or wired. You can place it vertically or on its side, hang it from a lanyard around your neck, or add a Minirig subwoofer or Minirig speakers. Despite its small size, most of the aluminum and ABS casing is dedicated to fitting around the 70 mm driver without any unnecessary bulk.
Our Verdict
The Minirig 4 is alright for listening to music. It's a single speaker, so it downmixes stereo content to mono. You can wirelessly connect or pair it with other Minirig speakers via the AUX cable to create a stereo pair and even add one of the brand's subs. Still, by itself, it compresses lower frequencies quite a bit at max volume. You get bass and treble sliders to alter the sound in an otherwise straightforward app. It also sounds more or less the same across different listening angles, adding flexibility. Most of the speaker's benefits are unlocked when you mate it to one or more Minirig speakers, which is no small added cost.
Bass and treble sliders in-app.
Flexible wired and wireless connectivity.
Solid battery performance and features.
Many features need a second speaker to appreciate.
App is pretty basic.
Downmixes stereo to mono.
The Minirig 4 is not bad for watching videos and movies. On the plus side, it exhibits low latency over Bluetooth and wired connections, so you're unlikely to experience lip-sync mismatches. It's no replacement for a soundbar, and while you can create a stereo pair with a second Minirig, as is, it downmixes your audio to mono. For dialogue-heavy viewing, this is fine, but it's not immersive or capable of reproducing the deep bass necessary for most blockbuster films.
Bass and treble sliders in-app.
Flexible wired and wireless connectivity.
Low latency audio.
Many features need a second speaker to appreciate.
App is pretty basic.
Downmixes stereo to mono.
The Minirig 4 is great for listening to podcasts. Voices are reproduced with clarity, and the speaker's directivity means you can place it in the room while you move about the space and expect it to sound the same. You can also pair a second device to it, so if you want to switch audio sources, it's seamless. That said, it doesn't necessarily get loud enough to reach your ears from several rooms away, but it's small enough to take it to the other side of the house or on your patio.
Very portable.
Solid battery performance and features.
App is pretty basic.
The Minirig 4's microphone is for calls only and doesn't support voice assistants.
The Minirig 4 is good for outdoor use. Its small size makes it easy to take with you, and its battery life is long enough for an outing, depending on the volume level. Plus, you can charge your phone using the speaker's battery. That said, its IPX4 rating is splash-resistant, and if you're heading to the beach or poolside, it's not totally impervious to the elements. Due to its size, it's also not capable of reproducing a full-sounding low-end either, and at max volume, there's some compression in the bass, which is a downside in wide-open spaces.
Very portable.
Flexible wired and wireless connectivity.
Solid battery performance and features.
Many features need a second speaker to appreciate.
App is pretty basic.
Lacks dust-proofing and impact resistance ratings.
Changelog
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Updated Apr 29, 2025:
We updated the binaural audio recordings in the Raw Frequency Response section of this review because the previous recordings used incorrect gain settings.
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Updated Apr 07, 2025:
We retested the speaker's sound in other configurations, on its side and upright, with extra graphs added. We also tested the battery performance with different quick chargers. A note about battery sizes was added to Differences Between Sizes And Variants.
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Updated Feb 26, 2025:
We've updated the text in Frequency Response Accuracy in response to feedback from users and the manufacturer, with additional testing from different listening angles. We've also updated the scores and text in the Dynamics box.
- Updated Feb 04, 2025: Review published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Minirig 4 is available in a few eye-catching jewel tones to visibly stand out from the crowd or blend in with neutral and stealth mode shades. Our unit is 'Brushed Ion' (here's its label), and we expect it to perform about the same as the 'Electric Blue,' 'Ultra Black,' 'Green Wave,' 'Purple Ray,' and 'Laser Red' variants. There's also a hand-painted variant by Mr Cenz. At some point in their production, the speaker's internal battery was upsized from 28Wh to 33Wh, so that may affect the battery performance between units.
If you encounter another variant, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The Minirig 4 is the upsized sibling of the Minirig Mini 2 and boasts a larger driver with a longer expected battery life. Alongside the Minirig Subwoofer 3, meant to fill out the bass frequencies, these speakers are unique in that they're pint-sized Bluetooth speakers aimed at the audiophile market. In contrast, there are speakers like the Sonos Roam 2, which has extra smart features not available to the Minirig 4. In exchange, the Minirig boasts wired connectivity, the possibility of adding the brand's subwoofer, and an attractive metal build, striking a different note than the similar-sized JBL Clip 5, which is purpose-built for duties like muddy hiking trips that the Minirig can't handle without a greater degree of care.
For more comparisons, check out the best small Bluetooth speakers, the best portable Bluetooth speakers, and the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers.
The Bose SoundLink Revolve II and the Minirig 4 are both upscale portable speakers meant to stand upright and not meant to go on especially rugged terrain. The Bose has a more comprehensive control scheme and a higher IP55 rating. Most likely due to being slightly larger, it has greater low-end extension. The Bose also lets you use a voice assistant. Unfortunately, it lacks an EQ and uses micro USB to charge. In contrast, the smaller Minirig holds its own by getting a bit louder with better dynamics and offers bass and treble sliders to alter the sound. While its battery life is shorter, you can fast charge it (if you have a 20W USB-C PD adapter) and use it as a power bank for your devices, too. Like the Bose, you can pair it with other compatible speakers. On the downside, its controls aren't as intuitive, and its IPX4 rating isn't as tough.
Whether the JBL Flip 6 or the Minirig 4 is better for you depends on your primary usage. The JBL's IP67 rating makes it a more durable speaker for rough elements. Its interface offers more immediate access to playback controls than the Minirig, though it lacks wired connectivity of any kind besides a port for recharging. That said, the Minirig supports both wired and Bluetooth pairing, and its soundstage is less susceptible to listening to angles which makes it a bit more flexible in these regards. Its battery lasts longer and can be used as a power bank to charge other devices in a pinch. Still, it's only IPX4-rated by comparison, so it's only protected against water splashes.
Although the Sony SRS-XB100 and the Minirig 4 are both small cylindrical Bluetooth speakers, they've different strengths and belong to different tiers. The Sony's upsides are its long battery life, dedicated physical controls, and an IP67 rating. You can add a second speaker of the same model for a stereo pair. However, you can't change its frequency response in its basic app. In contrast, the Minirig is made from premium materials, though its IP rating is lower. You can also link it to other speakers via a wired or Bluetooth connection with up to four speakers. It compresses less at max volume with a more balanced frequency response, and there are bass and treble sliders in the app.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is more versatile than the Minirig 4, though less customizable. The Ultimate Ears speaker's battery lasts longer with a tougher IP67 rating, meaning it's suited for adventures. It sounds nearly the same at every listening angle with better dynamics performance at max volume, too. Its controls are clearly laid out and you can pair a second compatible speaker over Bluetooth. However, the Minirig offers both wired and Bluetooth connections with an app that lets you adjust the bass and treble. Despite being smaller, it also gets a bit louder. You can also use it as a power bank to recharge other devices. However, its IPX4 rating won't ward off damage beyond a few raindrops.
Test Results
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