OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
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Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Harman Kardon Onyx Mini Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£130Audio output power:16.00 WBattery life:10 hoursIP rating:?Bluetooth version:4.1Weight:587 g

Harman Kardon Onyx Mini Review: Compare 130 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Portable Speakers category and whether it is worth buying.

Harman Kardon Onyx Mini
6.4/10

Overall score

Score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of products in the Portable Speakers category, based on technical analysis and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference for identifying the best products in the Portable Speakers category.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

80%

6.1

Technical score

20%

7.6

User score

▼Worse than 69% of portable speakers
7.4

Value for money

Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

6.4

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

▼Worse than 71%
6.1

Technical score

Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 79% of models
Score components

32%

5.9

Audio

20%

6.0

Battery

18%

6.7

Durability

16%

6.3

Connectivity

8%

4.7

Controls

3%

8.6

Design

3%

4.0

Smart features

▼Worse than 79%
7.6

User score

User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 78% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

5.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
▼Worse than 78%
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Where to buy
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Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of portable speaker Harman Kardon Onyx Mini

Technical score
Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 79% of models
Score components:

32%

5.9

Audio

20%

6.0

Battery

18%

6.7

Durability

16%

6.3

Connectivity

8%

4.7

Controls

3%

8.6

Design

3%

4.0

Smart features

6.1
User score
User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 78% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

5.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.6
Popularity
Popularity
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you prefer products in the Portable Speakers category that have been chosen and reviewed by many other buyers.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 59% of models
Popularity:
Harman Kardon Onyx Mini has a popularity score of 5.4 points, which is higher than 58.5% of products in this category.
5.4
Value for money
Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components:

70%

6.4

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

7.4
Audio output power
16 W
Market range: <4 W – >100 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 16 W which is lower than that of 54.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 3.6% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
45 mm
Market range: <38 mm – >101 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 45 mm which is smaller than that of 60.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 8.6% of portable speakers.
Number of drivers
2
Market range: <0 – >5
This portable speaker has 2 drivers, which is more than 24.5% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 45.5% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
75 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 75 Hz which is higher than that of 66% of portable speakers and equal to that of 2.3% of portable speakers.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
4.1
Market range: <3 – >5.3
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 4.1 which is older than that of 71.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 4.9% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
?
Bluetooth profiles supported
A2DP; AVRCP; HFP
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Battery life
10 hours
Market range: <6 hours – >24 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 10 hours which is shorter than that of 53.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 12.9% of portable speakers.
Battery capacity
3,000 mAh
Market range: <900 mAh – >6.6k mAh
This portable speaker has a battery capacity of 3,000 mAh which is larger than that of 58.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 3.8% of portable speakers.
Charging time
3 hours
Market range: <2 hours – >5 hours
This portable speaker has a charging time of 3 hours which is shorter than that of 35.5% of portable speakers and equal to that of 35.1% of portable speakers.
Maximum charging input power
10 W
Market range: <5 W – >30 W
This portable speaker has a maximum charging input power of 10 W which is higher than that of 44.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 26.1% of portable speakers.
Built-in rechargeable battery
yes
This portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery. 18.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
IP rating
?
Water resistance
no
This portable speaker is not water resistant. 61.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
?
Waterproof depth rating
?
Drop resistance
?
Show more
On-device controls placement
top
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
no
This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control. 54% of portable speakers offer this feature.
No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
no
This portable speaker does not support fast pairing. 22.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Weight
587 g
Market range: <200 g – >5.6k g
This portable speaker weighs 587 g which is lighter than that of 60.1% of portable speakers.
Height
14.5 cm
Market range: <5.79 cm – >29 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 14.5 cm which is taller than that of 57.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Width
15.8 cm
Market range: <7.6 cm – >37 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 15.8 cm which is narrower than that of 58.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.2% of portable speakers.
Depth
9.5 cm
Market range: <4.3 cm – >19.97 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 9.5 cm which is deeper than that of 58.4% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.4% of portable speakers.
Carry options
none
Show more
Companion app name
?
Firmware updates
no
This portable speaker does not support firmware updates. 47.2% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Firmware update method
?
Voice assistant support
no
This portable speaker does not support voice assistants. 26.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

Harman Kardon Onyx Mini vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 2 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (3 vs 1).
    3 vs 1
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • 0.92 % lower total harmonic distortion
    This portable speaker has lower total harmonic distortion than the average portable speaker (0.1 % vs 1 %).
    0.08 % vs 1 %
  • 1 more microphones
    This portable speaker has more microphones than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • 400 mAh more battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a larger battery capacity than the average portable speaker (3,000 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    3,000 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • 0.92 % lower total harmonic distortion
    This portable speaker has lower total harmonic distortion than the average portable speaker (0.1 % vs 1 %).
    0.08 % vs 1 %
  • 1 more microphones
    This portable speaker has more microphones than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • 2 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (3 vs 1).
    3 vs 1
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • 400 mAh more battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a larger battery capacity than the average portable speaker (3,000 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    3,000 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Does not support smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • 5 dB SPL lower maximum sound pressure
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum sound pressure level than the average portable speaker (87 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL).
    87 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL
  • 0.9 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.1 vs 5).
    4.1 vs 5
  • 2 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (10 hours vs 12 hours).
    10 hours vs 12 hours
  • 15 Hz less deep bass extension
    This portable speaker has less deep bass extension than the average portable speaker (75 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    75 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 5 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (45 mm vs 50 mm).
    45 mm vs 50 mm
  • Does not provide voice prompts
    This portable speaker does not provide voice prompts, while the average portable speaker provides voice prompts.
    No spoken status prompts; feedback is absent, visual, or tone-based.
  • 4.8% lower user score
    User score
    7.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Harman Kardon Onyx Mini
    the average portable speaker
    Harman Kardon Onyx Mini has a lower user score than the average portable speaker (7.63 vs 8).
    7.63 vs 8
  • 1.6% worse value for money
    Harman Kardon Onyx Mini offers worse value for money than the average portable speaker (7.42 vs 7.5).
    7.42 vs 7.55
  • 5 dB SPL lower maximum sound pressure
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum sound pressure level than the average portable speaker (87 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL).
    87 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL
  • 15 Hz less deep bass extension
    This portable speaker has less deep bass extension than the average portable speaker (75 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    75 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 5 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (45 mm vs 50 mm).
    45 mm vs 50 mm
  • 4 W less audio output power
    This portable speaker has less audio output power than the average portable speaker (16 W vs 20 W).
    16 W vs 20 W
  • 0.9 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.1 vs 5).
    4.1 vs 5
  • 2 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (10 hours vs 12 hours).
    10 hours vs 12 hours
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Does not support smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • Does not provide voice prompts
    This portable speaker does not provide voice prompts, while the average portable speaker provides voice prompts.
    No spoken status prompts; feedback is absent, visual, or tone-based.
  • 3 older
    This portable speaker was released earlier than the average portable speaker (2016 vs 2019).
    2016 vs 2019

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

P
pcmag.com
23/11/2016
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Mini Review - PCMag
U
uk.pcmag.com
23/11/2016
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Mini Review - PCMag UK
M
me.pcmag.com
23/11/2016
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Mini Review - PCMag Middle East
A
au.pcmag.com
24/11/2016
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Mini Review - PCMag Australia
G
gizguide.com
17/01/2018
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Mini Review - Sleek and loud! - GIZGUIDE
L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
19/03/2017
Summary of the review
Harman/Kardon Onyx review Mini: big speaker in a small body
A
areadvd.de
04/09/2016
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Mini – Rounded Sound Ace for 149 EUR?
(Translated)Show original
L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
18/03/2017
Summary of the review
Harman/Kardon Onyx Mini Review: Big Speaker
(Translated)Show original
M
menlife.fr
01/12/2016
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Mini: Our video review summary
(Translated)Show original
L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
19/03/2017
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Mini Review: A Big Speaker in a Small Body
(Translated)Show original
L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
18/03/2017
Summary of the review
Harman/Kardon Onyx Mini Review: A great speaker in a small body
(Translated)Show original
L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
19/03/2017
Summary of the review
Harman/Kardon Onyx Mini Review: Big Speaker in a Small Body
(Translated)Show original
L
letemsvetemapplem.eu
18/03/2017
Summary of the review
Harman/Kardon Mini Review: Big Speaker in a Small Body
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: August 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Harman Kardon Onyx Mini

  • Impressive clear audio and well-balanced mids and highs for its size
  • Surprisingly punchy and deep bass response due to the passive radiator design
  • High maximum volume capability with minimal distortion below 80 percent power
  • Premium aesthetic with an elegant footprint that fits well on desktops
  • Stable Bluetooth pairing and supports wireless dual-sound linking with other units
  • High-quality built-in microphone for clear hands-free speakerphone calls
  • Decent battery life reaching close to 10 hours on a single charge

What customers don't like about Harman Kardon Onyx Mini

  • Lacks water and dust resistance, making it less suitable for outdoor environments
  • Bulky shape and lacks an integrated carrying strap or a protective travel case
  • Bass can sometimes overpower the midrange vocals on tracks with high low-end presence
  • Does not include an auxiliary audio cable or a power adapter block in the box
  • Slightly wobbly base stability which makes it susceptible to shifting when pushing buttons
  • No physical dedicated track navigation buttons for skipping or rewinding tracks directly

Verdict

The Harman Kardon Onyx Mini is a compact, room-to-room portable Bluetooth 4.1 speaker delivering 16W of total output power through dual 45mm drivers, with a frequency response of 75Hz to 20kHz and an 80dB signal-to-noise ratio. Powered by a 3000mAh lithium-ion polymer battery, it provides up to 10 hours of playtime on a 3-hour charge via micro-USB, and features an integrated noise- and echo-cancelling microphone for conference calls, a 3.5mm auxiliary port, and Wireless Dual Sound to pair with a second compatible speaker. Main pros include its premium design with upward-angled drivers for optimized tabletop listening, robust acoustic clarity, and the ability to connect up to three smart devices simultaneously. However, notable cons include its lack of water- or dust-resistance ratings making it unsuitable for outdoor use, the absence of an included travel pouch, and thin low-end bass performance at maximum volumes.

Compare Harman Kardon Onyx Mini with other products in the Portable Speakers category

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