Trippy lighting isn't even the best part of this portable Bluetooth speaker

The most critical aspect of a small, portable Bluetooth speaker is that it sounds good. Secondary are things like water resistance and long battery life. The Edifier QS20 has all of those things, plus it includes a groovy light show that’s hard to look away from. Even without the lights, it’s still a speaker worth considering for its solid sound and travel-friendly size.

A light show and a concert

The Edifier QS20 is the definition of a modern Bluetooth speaker. Not only does it have a 43mm driver and 55mm passive radiator with 6 watts of output power in a small hand-held size, but it also has an ultra-sleek look.

Its mirrored front finish is hard to ignore when it’s off, but even harder to turn away from when it’s on. The radiating lights appear to extend infinitely inward for a trippy effect around the floating driver.

While the speaker may look more flashy than rugged, it still offers IP67 water and dust resistance, so it can take a dip in the shallow end of a pool for up to 30 minutes without being ruined. It's not as delicate as it may appear.

I didn’t think the QS20’s lighting effects were my style initially, but after spending some time with the speaker, its look has grown on me. The lights are fun. There are different modes, controllable via a button on top. There are multiple color options for the lights, as well as the ability to make them move to the music.

But more than its look, the Bluetooth speaker has impressive sound quality for its small size. Don’t expect a ton of bass from this petite speaker. I've been pleased with its clear mid-range along with an even and full sound when used at a reasonable volume level. It won't fool most people that the sound is coming from a tiny speaker. It will be able to offer much better sound than your phone or tablet.

Is the Edifier QS20 speaker worth spending money on?

The Edifier QS20 is a solid little Bluetooth speaker that’s ideal for travel, a nightstand, or maybe even the shower. It pairs a strong sound with 12 hours of battery life, an on-board microphone, media control buttons, and multipoint connection. It comes in silver, black, and red.

The speaker’s $99 retail price might seem a bit steep at first compared to ones like the JBL Go 4, but the QS20 is more comparable to the $99 JBL Grip or the $129 Bose SoundLink Micro 2. So, if the fancy lighting effects of the QS20 have caught your eye, you shouldn’t be disappointed.